It is a conventional requirement to have comprehensive home inspection soon after completing the construction of a new home. While it is expected that newly completed homes are in perfect shape and without defects, the truth is quite the opposite. You will find various home defects even in the most recent projects handled by top masons and constructors. This is why it is important to hire professional home inspectors to examine and identify any existing defect that should be corrected before you settle in the house. This should not be a daunting task as there are many such professionals in the market. Nonetheless, not all you run into will guarantee high quality services. Aspects of reputation, professionalism, flexibility and experience are still very crucial when selecting such services. Here are some of the common new home defects you should carefully look into:
• Poor drainage –
Inspection of the drainage system is done to verify whether storm water drains away from the house in the proper way. It is also done to determine whether you need additional drain pipes and new gutters. Additionally, this inspection should consider the possibility of water seeping beneath the structures foundation. The common defect found in most new homes is poor flow of storm water and need to rearrange the gutters. Drainage defects can cause various damages to your compound and house. It is the first thing you should inspect before you forget and get drawn into other aspects of your new home. Inspect both interior (sink, bathtub…) and exterior drainage systems.
• Faulty installations –
Plumbing, gas and electric installations are mechanical components prone to damages and faulty arrangements. Placing all the pipes and wires in the correct arrangement can be difficult particularly when building big homes. These parts can get cut or damaged while completing other sections of the house and require detailed troubleshooting once the house is finished. Ensure all the electrical and plumbing components are in the ideal places. You can test the appliances to determine if they work as expected.
• Roof leaks –
Leaking roof is a typical new home defect that should not surprise you. Even professional roof installers will make mistakes and hit nails where they should not be hit. Removing them creates an immediate hole to be sealed and a possible cause for leaks. Improper installation can also cause major leaks that require removal and re-installation of an entire part of your roof. Leakages can also be a result of blocked gutters (when materials used in construction are not cleaned out) causing water drawbacks and seepage. Since leaks can be difficult to identify without rainfall, you can hire professionals who have all the necessary tools to look at each area.
• Hazardous material –
New home constructions often involve the use of various potentially harmful materials including lead-based finishing and paints. While this is not really a new home defect, it is still an important part of inspection that cannot be oversight. It is important to ensure the new home is clean and free of any hazardous material. A general sweeping and clearing of the site should be done before you call in inspection services.
• Ventilation and exhaustion systems –
Ventilation defects are also quite popular in commercial and residential buildings. During construction, anemometers are used to determine wind speed and direction before ventilation facets are installed. Windows, vents and exhausts must all include proper ventilation installations and controlled airflow. Without proper ventilation, you will spend much more in energy bills than others. However, knowing whether your ventilation is perfect can be difficult. The best way to discern this involves scheduling visits when it is hot in the afternoon. Some homes have pre-installed HVAC systems. For such houses, you are required to install the additional thermostats before you can gauge whether they work or not.
• Wooden floor defects –
Wood usually contracts over time especially during hot seasons. This is why wooden constructions are often acclimated to the site before installation. When damp wood is used, you will have gaps and spaces which may not only look unsightly but also cause various weaknesses on the structure besides increasing vulnerabilities. When moving into a new home that features wooden floors and parts, ensure there are no gaps between joints. Most importantly, check the joints and elevations to ensure they do not leave any spaces and bends.
• Window leaks –
Roofs are not the only parts that leak during storm and rainfall. Even windows and doors that are poorly installed will leak and cause various damages. Pay keen attention on the seals and gaskets as well as frames and window leaf. Window leaks are merely caused by poor installation. Check for paints and marks or cracks on the window pane as well as squeaky sounds when opening/closing.
• Inferior substitutions –
Engineers are usually given a disclaimer that allows them to use and substitute original models with materials of equal or better quality. Because the description of the house will retain what was in the original model, the substitutions are often not included. What’s worse, you cannot verify if the substitute materials were of equal or better quality. Determining inferior substitutions is something only the best of engineers and constructors can do. Professional assistance is therefore ultimately important when inspecting your new home.
There are many other minor, yet common new home defects that you should take note of. It is generally advisable to take sufficient time into inspecting the new home rather than having an overall look at specific parts. Hiring professional inspectors to do the work is often the recommended.
Identifying defects
As aforementioned, most people think new homes are perfect and have no defect to worry about. This is because new homes have appealing finishing that can conceal the real defects and flaws. However, experienced realtors know that new homes and structures contain just as many defects as existing buildings. Some of the key areas to inspect include the floor, roof, ceiling, windows, doors, interval walls and components, electrical and mechanical fittings. These are the same areas inspected when moving into a new BTO. Hiring professional inspectors is advisable if you want to ensure all the defects are identified and rectified.