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You’ve found that little place in the country you’ve been dreaming of, but it hasn’t been lived in for a while and needs some work rsspect.org Or maybe you’ve found a place in town that has caught your eye, but it’s been vacant for months or years ambafrance-kwt.org Whatever the case may be for you, you owe it to yourself to have the home inspected by a qualified home inspector. Homes that haven’t been occupied for a period of time can present particular problems publicicletas.com Often homes aren’t that well cared for even when they’re lived in continually puntersindex.com Many things a home inspection reveals are the result of neglect or lack of routine maintenance. When it comes to a home that’s been vacant a long time, a home inspection is a must in order to reveal the condition of the home redletterreason.com Such problems are very prevalent in today's market with foreclosures, short sales, and bank owned properties regentsquarechiro.com While such properties represent opportunities for home buyers and renovators, buyers should always be aware of the potential problems and dangers when purchasing a home in today's market. It’s a home inspector’s job to inspect the structures and systems of a home from top to bottom rockmastarob.com Over time everything decays or breaks down. Time has a way of magnifying problems that already existed. How long a home has been vacant will play a role in the condition of the various components of that home. Here are some of the problems you can anticipate when a house has been unoccupied over a long period of time. Some are what you might expect, while others may be hidden from plain sight. * When a house has been closed up, mold growth can increase. The potential for mold is aggravated if moisture leaks into the basement. Mold may accompany water damage from broken pipes or a cracked water heater tank. * Valves, gaskets and appliances that go unused develop problems. For example, gaskets and hoses may dry out and result in leaks or flooding. * Sewer traps may dry out and loose their seals. This would allow methane gas to get into the house. Sewer gas is both unhealthy and highly flammable. * Damage or blocked waste and sewer lines are common in vacant homes. * Un-welcome guests, namely vandals and thieves, will likely remove salvageable items from the home. For example, they may steal copper pipe, copper wiring, and air conditioning refrigerant lines. Expect chemical spills and burn damage if the house has been used as a meth lab. Of course, there may be a number of broken windows. * Insects, rodents, and small animals can infest a home and do their share of damage. One example is termite infestation, which ruins wooden structures. Animals can leave fleas and droppings, causing unsanitary conditions. These are just a few of the things home inspectors have encountered in today’s market. While there are many things to consider when buying a home, without a home inspection, you won’t be able to properly judge the condition of the house. Your home inspector’s report will help you decide whether or not you really want to buy the property you have in mind.
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