What Are the Main Water Issues Home Inspectors Look for?

When home inspectors inspect a home, they have a long list of items to examine. One of the most important issues relates to water. In today’s blog article, we will take a look at what home inspectors look for with regards to water, and why. 

Water Coming in 

Inspectors want to see if there is water coming in the house where it is not supposed to, or if there is evidence of water entering the house in the past. For example, in the basement—if there is one—they will check to see if there are any stains on the walls or floors, or any dampness that indicates a leak. 

Similarly, upstairs and/or on the main floor, they will look to see if any water appears to be coming in from the roof or around doors or windows. Water damage can be costly to repair, so this is one aspect that they will not ignore. 

Taps and Toilets 

Inspectors will also be looking at places where water is supposed to come in the house, like faucets and toilets, and also exterior taps. They will look for any leaks, and consider the water pressure. Does the water pressure appear normal? If the water pressure seems low—and it can be measured—this may indicate a problem with the pipes. 

Drains 

Just as a home’s water pressure is important, water should drain appropriately. If the water does not drain appropriately, this can indicate a pipe problem or perhaps a clog somewhere. The inspector will look around the exterior of the house to see if provisions appear to have been made so that water drains away from the house. This is particularly important if the house sits on a slope or at the bottom of a slope. 

Any indications that water is present where it should not be, may call to mind questions about other parts of the house, such as the integrity of the roof, windows, or foundation. This is why water and its ingress and egress will be key parts of the home inspection. 

For a home inspection on the Lower Mainland, give us a call at (778) 788-5301. This is our business and area of expertise. 

The Inspectors is a group of very experienced home inspectors who bring reliability and integrity to the practice of home inspection. These inspectors follow closely the established standards of the Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors. 

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about home inspection, we encourage you to call us at (778) 788-5301.