Alban Home Inspection Service

Common Home Inspection Findings
These findings were cited most often in a recent survey of home inspectors:

Improper surface grading and drainage, which is responsible for water penetration in basements and crawlspaces.

Roof leakage. usually caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, which may lead to cosmetic and sometimes structural damage. Approximately 70% of roof leaks are related to flashings and valleys.

Improper electrical wiring, such as insufficient electrical service to the house, inadequate overload protection, and unprofessional electrical work.

Heating-system problems, such as broken or malfunctioning operation controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.

Plumbing problems (such as old or incompatible piping materials, faulty fixtures, and improperly vented waste lines) that may cause considerable interior damage.

Exterior flaws in windows, doors, and wall surfaces that allow water and air penetration.

Poor overall maintenance demonstrated by cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces.

Structural problems involving foundation walls, floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers.

Poor ventilation caused by over-sealing, which results in excessive interior moisture, development of mold and fungus, and rotting or premature failure of both structural and non-structural components.


Escape Windows ...

Sleeping rooms and living areas are required to have at least one primary and one secondary means of escape - one door and one window, for example. The requirements for an escape window are the same as those required for emergency exits in the Universal Building Code (UBC). The window must be easy to open without the use of tools and it must have a minimum area of 5.7 square feet, a minimum clear width of 20 inches, a minimum height of 24 inches, and a maximum sill height of 44 inches.

The lack of proper paths of escape are frequently encountered in the basements of older homes. Even if the basement is not used for sleeping purposes, finished basements should have a secondary escape path in case the stairway becomes blocked by smoke or fire. A proper escape window will allow occupants to easily get outside in an emergency situation.

Your Home's Best Friend

You know that loyalty and companionship are great reasons for having a dog, but did you know that security is the most important reason of all? Century 21's House & Home Magazine interviewed a veteran thief (he committed more than 80 burglaries!) who said, "We never burglarized a single house where we could hear a dog ... why chance it? Hit another house."

Hired Help

Tired of cleaning your home? You're not alone - it's estimated that 9.4 million households (9% of all U.S. households) will pay a professional to clean their houses this year. That's according to Mediamark Research who expects that number to jump to 9.9 million by the year 2000! Last year, 11% of married, dual income couples use a cleaning service, compared to 10% of those with children under 18.

Note: This newsletter is for informational purposes only. When getting involved with a project, please work within your ability. If you need help with a contractor or with any other home-related issue, please contact Alban Home Inspection Service with any questions. Thank You.