What people keep running into with home inspection
Complaints tagged home inspection, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
51 recurring problems · 707 people · 15 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 11How to fix cement fiber siding touching roof shinglesCement fiber siding installed directly against roof shingles without the required one to two inches of clearance or flashing causes rot, water intrusion, and siding deterioration. Cutting away the tight, awkward sections of damaged material to add proper clearance is physically difficult and risks forcing homeowners to completely replace large wall sections if left unaddressed.
- 11Should I buy a house with aluminum wiring?Older aluminum wiring leads to constant wire cracking and repairs that require cumbersome, costly fixes. Because these electrical systems can involve extreme hazards like bypassed fuses, prospective buyers and tenants ultimately choose to walk away rather than take the risk.
- 9Water damage in a brand new construction houseMajor plumbing leaks in newly built homes require immediate, thorough drying to prevent hidden moisture from causing long-term mold growth, cracking, and cosmetic staining. Dealing with these sudden issues often forces homeowners to rip out newly installed drywall and structural elements right after moving in, raising intense concerns about proper repairs.
- 8Home inspection found plumbing issues but seller says it's fineSellers often dismiss corroded pipes or water stains flagged in an inspection as minor, leaving buyers to decide whether to push for a repair credit or risk a major leak. This dynamic creates high-stakes friction during contract negotiations, forcing buyers to weigh walking away against paying out of pocket for a costly repipe shortly after moving in.
- 7Are open cavity vent returns and exposed pipes normal in new construction?Open-cavity plenum returns and exposed bathroom pipes are shortcut building methods used to save installation time and material costs. These makeshift setups compromise indoor air quality, create noise issues, and expose plumbing lines to potential damage inside the HVAC pathway.
- 7What to do with old water pipes after removing a fixture?Leaving inactive water lines open creates serious risks of accidental leaks, child tampering, and stagnation issues like dead legs. You need to properly secure and cap off these leftover secondary pipes using appropriate fittings or soldering to prevent future damage.
- 6How to estimate home repair costs before buyingBuyers struggle to assess interior and exterior property damage and figure out how to calculate the actual cost of repairs. Without knowing approximately how much to budget for these fixes, it is difficult to evaluate the true financial impact before making a purchase.
- 6Should I buy a house with conflicting roof damage reports?Getting mixed assessments from contractors makes it difficult to know whether to walk away or proceed with a purchase. This uncertainty leaves buyers unsure if they are making a costly mistake or needlessly passing on a good deal.
- 6Why do older houses have no outlets?Older homes were built before modern electrical needs like window AC units, laptops, and multiple TVs existed, leaving rooms with only one or two outlets on overloaded circuits. Relying on adapters becomes a daily hassle and stops people from plugging in appliances where they actually need them.
- 6What to do if you find suspected asbestos during DIYDiscovering suspicious materials forces projects to a sudden halt. Homeowners are unable to proceed because professionals either refuse small jobs or charge high fees just to inspect them, while taking a DIY test sample feels too risky. This leaves people stranded and looking for minimal-intervention workarounds, like simply bagging the material.
- 5How to spot hidden subfloor damage covered by new OSBSellers sometimes cover up subfloor staining, mold, or urine by laying new OSB right over it. Buyers are left guessing whether the underlying issue was actually fixed or if they are inheriting a costly hidden problem before closing.
- 5Why does old CPVC plumbing get so brittle?CPVC pipes become extremely fragile and chalk-like after a decade or two, making routine repairs or replacing a water heater terrifying because normal handling can crack the pipes inside the walls. This forces homeowners into high-risk DIY fixes or unexpected, unaffordable whole-house repipes.
- 5Is professional pest control worth the high cost?Professional pest extermination quotes can cost thousands of dollars, leaving homeowners unsure whether to pay for the service or attempt DIY removal and cleaning themselves. This uncertainty makes it difficult to decide whether hiring an exterminator is actually worth the price compared to doing the work manually.
- 4Why is the plywood roof decking sagging on my new house?Premature sagging and warping on new roof decking is typically caused by trapped moisture due to poor attic ventilation. This excessive humidity compromises the structural integrity of the plywood, leading to noticeable dips between the roof rafters.
- 4Cool air leaking from gap around AC copper pipe in atticAn unsealed gap where the copper refrigerant line enters an attic AC unit allows conditioned air to escape, creating a noticeable cool breeze in a hot space. Homeowners frequently discover this opening while changing filters and wonder whether it indicates a system malfunction or a harmless non-issue.
- 4How to find the real age of an old roofInsurance records and unreliable seller information often leave homeowners guessing whether a roof was replaced or how much lifespan it has left. This makes it impossible to know when to plan and budget for a costly roof replacement.
- 4Last-minute home repair flagged by inspector before closingSellers and buyers often clash right before closing when an inspection flags questionable handyman fixes or requires certified professional re-evaluations. This unexpected hurdle delays transactions and leaves buyers questioning the safety of the home while forcing sellers to scramble for last-minute contractor reviews.
- 4Home inspector missed obvious problemsBuyers frequently discover unrecorded damage weeks or months after purchasing a house, such as spotting roof indents while clearing gutters. This leaves new homeowners surprised and questioning how professional inspections failed to catch issues that seem clearly visible after moving in.
- 4HVAC contractor installed mismatched heating and cooling partsContractors often mix incompatible indoor and outdoor units, such as mismatched refrigerants like R22 and 410A or non-communicating compressors with advanced thermostats. This leaves homeowners stuck with high repair costs, lost features like humidity control, and equipment that fails to function properly.
- 3Why do home test and diagnostic results conflict?Professional assessments—such as expensive mold remediation quotes or HVAC evaluations involving low superheat and refrigerant purging—frequently conflict with personal tests showing no mold growth or questions about whether keeping a house cold at 68° threw off the readings. This discrepancy leaves homeowners uncertain whether issues like air restrictions or mold actually exist, preventing them from knowing which recommendations to trust.
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Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.