After you buy a home, one of the biggest worries is finding a major defect that can lead to expensive repairs and lower the home’s resale value. Although hiring a home inspector is supposed to catch these hidden issues, these professionals can sometimes miss things.
Unfortunately, not every state or province requires home inspectors to be licensed and trained. As a result, they may make mistakes or overlook problems. HGTV star Mike Holmes often focuses on fixing homes with issues that inspectors missed – things hidden behind furniture or problems they lack the training to identify, like electrical or plumbing installation flaws.
If watching Mike Holmes’ show doesn’t help you figure out common home inspector errors, real-world examples might be more useful. Reddit users listed the most common problems their inspectors missed, often leading to expensive repairs. Understanding these common issues can help you better protect yourself and your home investment. Some of the most common problems include improper water drainage, hidden water and plumbing issues, and building code violations.
Home inspectors often miss water issues, Reddit users say
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By far, the most common issue home inspectors miss involves water damage and problems, according to Reddit users. They often fail to understand how water flows across the roof or property after rain, leading to issues like basement flooding that the inspector didn’t anticipate. Inspectors should look for signs of water pooling near the foundation and test the gutters and downspouts.
Some inspectors might miss roof problems that could cause leaks. They should check the attic and ceilings for water damage. “In our most recent house, [the inspector] never told us the roof needed to be replaced,” one Reddit user wrote, even though the roof was 25 years old (typical shingle roofs last 15-30 years).
One Reddit user said the inspector missed a collapsed cast iron sewer pipe in the yard, forcing a costly new plumbing line. Inspectors don’t always test or inspect the plumbing line as part of a basic inspection, but you can request a separate sewer line test.
Home inspectors don’t always catch building code violations
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Many home renovations and projects must follow building codes, but that doesn’t mean the previous owner followed the rules. Unfortunately, home inspectors may not catch these code violations, as they focus on hazards and major future repair risks, not necessarily code compliance.
One Reddit user said a seller lied about making renovations with the proper permits, and the inspector didn’t find the issue – like a lack of AFCI outlets in the kitchen or missing basement floor support where stairs were removed. Another found bad aluminum wiring the inspector missed. Home inspectors won’t open walls to check wiring, but they should still catch aluminum wiring issues by inspecting the main electrical panel.
Even with potential errors, you shouldn’t skip the home inspection. You’ll increase the risk of costly future repairs. It’s best to attend the inspection and ask questions.
