Home Inspection

Red Flags to Watch for in Homes Once You Become a Home Inspector

February 22, 2022

Becoming a home inspector is a rewarding career that comes with many benefits. You’ll get to use your observation and critical thinking skills as you inspect different homes for problems. You’ll get to travel to different locations to do your inspections. And you’ll also have the satisfaction of seeing new homeowners make the right decision on their dream homes.

Some homes, whether new or old, may have some red flags that’ll have to be assessed properly before purchase. It’ll be up to you to help homeowners make informed decisions on what issues they can live with, what counts as a dealbreaker, and what may require essential repairs right away before moving in day.

At NATS, you’ll receive hands-on training in roofing, electrical, heating, and much more. This will prepare you to inspect homes with confidence.

Read on to discover what red flags to watch out for as a home inspector!

Watch Out for Cracks and Gaps After Your Home Inspector Training

Large cracks and gaps are one important red flag you should always look out for. They can appear around a home’s garage, deck, and patio—as well as in driveways, sidewalks, and several other spots.

Spotting these issues during an inspection can help uncover bigger problems affecting the property. For example, gaps between doors, pipes, or windows usually indicate a water intrusion. And when cracks are visible in concrete, that may indicate that there is an improper installation issue or soil problem. After your home inspector training, you might often find yourself on the lookout for these kinds of issues!

Cracks might indicate improper installation or a soil problem

Watch Out for Drainage Issues

Another major red flag to look out for when you become a home inspector is water drainage issues. During inspections, you’ll want to check that water drains away from the house rather than towards it. To do that, you’ll have to inspect all the gutters of the house to ensure that they’re set up correctly. Shoddy gutters with missing downspouts, for example, could indicate that the soil around the foundation might not be in the greatest shape, as water could have washed some of it away. Even if no deeper issues are present and the buyer does opt for the house, they’ll need to know that this is a problem that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.

Unwanted Humidity Inside the House Could Be a Sign of Trouble

Moisture buildup inside of a house is another pretty important red flag to watch out for. Why? Because over time, moisture can cause rotting, mildew, and mold. Improperly insulated windows are one common culprit behind this issue. If during a home inspection you see water droplets building up on the inside of a window, that’s a telltale sign that there are issues with the window and maybe even other deeper problems going on. Of course, there are many other ways for humidity to accumulate in unwanted places, so this is one thing you’ll want to be on the lookout for when inspecting many different parts of a house.

Are you interested in a home inspector career?

Contact NATS for more information about our training programs!

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