Dallas Home Inspection

Things to look out for when looking at any home or loft

If you want to check that your current home meets all the requirements or you would like to ask some important questions then this page shows you how to ask the correct questions and what to look for when visiting any home or loft.

On arriving at the home or appartment (which you are inspecting) take note of the outside of the home, prior to entering. You should check the walls for any bulges, cracks or peeling paint. Peeling paint is something cosmetic and can be altered easily. But bulges can indicate that there has been water damage.

When entering the home make sure that the floor is level, this may seem very pedantic but I can assure you that when you move in you don't want to have an uneven floor. You should also check the walls by tamping them and listening to the sound that is made. Solid walls are great but a hollow sound can mean that there may be termites presents and you would need to get a pest control professional in or in the worse case scenario, have the wall totally pulled down and rebuilt.

When entering the kitchen you should ask questions about the appliances. If they are included in the price then you will need to check that they are in full working order. You should check the taps also, this is the same for the bathroom. You should ask when the toilet was installed and also check how fast the sink drains.

You should always remember to ask questions about the plumbing and electricity. These two features combined can really damage your home. Make sure that you ask when the electricity was wired and also if there has been any plumbing problems.

If the property has a basement then you should check for leaks and also water damage. If there is a particular bad storm and flooding occurs you need to be aware of the problem before you move in. You should also check the support system in the basement. You should also look for mould, so make sure that you take a torch or ask to have the lights turned on.

Another important aspect to consider when looking at any home or loft is the flooring. You need to check how secure the flooring is, how easy it is to uproot in the case of an emergency and how much it will cost to replace. Flooring can be a tricky subject so it's important to consult a flooring expert like Dallas Flooring or Prestige Flooring, who will be able to tell you honestly where you stand with your current flooring and if it would be more cost-effective in the long run to replace it with a more modern flooring option. 

The main thing to remember when carrying out any inspection is to have it done on a sunny day so you can see the outside problems such as bulging and structural damage. Another reason for this is that when you look into the loft you will be able to see if any light shines through. This will mean that there may be leaks and will to be repaired.