Things That Often Fail Home Inspection in New Orleans

When you are preparing to sell or buy a home in New Orleans, a home inspection should be part of the process. Home inspections discover hidden issues and show buyers the condition of the house. Also, a home inspection is an instrument to help home buyers protect themselves while making an essential financial investment and reduces liability for sellers. As a result, it's a good idea to avoid these issues if selling. It can often help you earn more on the home sale. At the same time, knowing the usual problems may help you approach house buying more realistically, especially if you're a first-time buyer. In addition, you'll also have a greater understanding of the hazards. Therefore, it's better to know which things often fail home inspection in New Orleans, regardless of which side of the transaction you are on. So, here's a list of frequent issues to keep in mind.

Ground sloping or faulty drainage

As the ground under the house settles over time, it may become uneven. Some parts can lower too much while others raise. In addition, some homes are constructed directly on uneven ground, complicating things more over time. That can cause water to pool under the house and create drainage problems. In reality, each lawn must have at least a 3% slope away from the home to allow water to drain away and prevent water damage. And even in that case, when the ground settles, the foundation might shift.
Any home can suffer considerable water damage if there isn't sufficient drainage. It can cause cracked settlement and even foundation movement. Also, moisture is absorbed through the foundation if water does not drain away, causing mold and rot.

Plumbing and Sewerlines

Plumbing issues and leaking pipes are two causes for a home inspection to fail. These issues might be as simple as a leaking faucet or a slower drain. Other times, it can be a faulty pipe connection or the need to rebuild all the pipes. Plumbing is a big concern since mold can spread throughout the home if you don't repair a leak on time.
Another issue you may encounter is a broken or cracked sewerline. This is common, mostly because of water and drainage issues causing ground settlement (see above: Drainage). A video sewerline inspection is an important part of the home inspection process and should be performed regardless if the home is new construction or a historic property.

Roof

Roofing is such an essential part of a house, it is one of the first things a home inspector will examine. If the roof leaks, the house is exposed to many issues. So, the inspector needs to determine the cause of the leaks. It can be anything from broken or missing shingles to clogged gutters. Also, there can be faulty flashings, moss on the roof, an unventilated loft, or plumbing vent flaws. Therefore, if you know you have these problems with your roof, you should look to fix them as soon as possible. Mostly because roof issues can be a deal-breaker when selling a property as they may be expensive to repair. 

Foundation

Foundations often are flagged as needing repair on home inspections in New Orleans. More than half of the homes in the United States are built on clay soil, causing them to shift over time. In reality, such houses are shifting somewhere around two inches per season. That results in foundation cracks and pier shifting which home inspectors will always flag. In addition, a faulty foundation can cause roof problems, framing issues, and sloping floors.

At the same time, foundation problems are caused by more than just shifting soil. For instance, tree roots growing under the house can crack the foundation over time or cause piers to shift. If you find a home that passes the inspection for foundation issues, you are in luck! You found a fantastic house to buy!

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HVAC

Yes, house inspectors inspect HVAC systems, and they occasionally are flagged on the inspection. The most common issue is lack of consistent servicing. Simple issues such as changing the air filter frequently and a twice yearly servicing will greatly increase the lifetime of an HVAC system. Neglecting to service your system and consistently change the air filter can often cause compounding effects on the overall functionality of the system. This means you should inspect, clean, and service your HVAC at least twice a year. Once before winter and once before summer starts. Overall, HVAC systems can last quite a while with proper maintenance but they are big ticket item and can be a deal breaker if flagged during an inspection.

Final thoughts

If you want to sell or buy a home in New Orleans, don't forget to look for the things that often fail home inspection. If you are a seller, request a home inspection before putting the house on the market. This will allow you know what needs to be addressed prior to listing or items to consider when you are determining list price. If you are a buyer, it is always best practice to perform a thorough home inspection during your due diligence period. A home inspection helps to uncover “hidden” defects and may save you money in the long run.

Whether you need to sell or buy, working with a local real estate agent will save you a lot of stress, time, and money. At Rêve Realtors, our agents are experts on advising both buyers and sellers throughout the home inspection process. We’re here to help you, every step of the way!

*Written by Betty White