Introduction

The purchase of a home is often the largest investment you’ll ever make. It’s also a huge responsibility—one that comes with many considerations and anxieties. You have to consider how much you can afford, whether your family will like the neighborhood, and even how many bedrooms are in the house. One thing that doesn’t always get as much attention is making sure that your new home isn’t falling apart before you even move into it! That’s where home inspections come in: they’re an opportunity for professionals to look over your potential new property and give you peace of mind about any issues they find that could pose problems later down the road (like water damage or mold growth). However, not all issues found on home inspections are created equal—some can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars to fix while others aren’t as costly or even necessary for repair. So what exactly should a buyer expect when having their new abode inspected? Below we outline eight common issues found during home inspections:

Mold growth

Mold growth can be dangerous, and a home inspector will look for signs of it during inspections. Mold is common in damp areas like basements, bathrooms, or crawl spaces. It can also be found growing on walls or ceilings as well as in carpets or on furniture.

Mold can cause respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. In rare cases, it may even lead to more serious infections like eye infections or skin rashes (also known as allergic contact dermatitis). If you have an allergy to mold then this is something that should be considered when looking at homes with potential mold issues.

Mold grows best in warm temperatures so inspecting your home during fall/winter months will help you identify any possible sources of moisture before they start growing out of control over the next few months!

Water leaks

Water leaks are a common problem in homes, and they can often be difficult to detect. There are several different types of water leaks that can occur:

  • Leaks around windows and doors
  • Leaks from the roof or ceiling
  • Leakage on pipes or under sink fixtures

Water leaks can lead to mold growth, mildew growth, rotting wood, structural damage, and even electrical problems. Water leaks should be checked for as soon as possible because if left untreated for too long it could cause foundation issues or flooding.

Insulation deficiencies

Insulation is a must for energy efficiency. Adding insulation to your home can help you save on heating and cooling costs. You may want to consider insulating an existing home or adding insulation to a new home. Insulation can be added to the attic, walls, and floors of your home. If you have a basement, you may also want to add insulation there so that it stays dryer than normal basements tend to be

Electrical problems

Electrical problems can be a fire hazard, and they’re not always easy to fix.

  • Electrical problems are fairly common, but they can also be expensive to fix.
  • It’s best to try and avoid electrical problems by planning ahead and having your home inspected before you buy it.

Cracked foundation problems

Foundation cracks can be caused by a number of issues, including:

  • Poor drainage
  • Water pressure from irrigation systems
  • Ground shifts that occur over time due to changes in soil temperature, moisture levels and erosion

If your home inspector finds cracks around your foundation, there are many ways to repair them. The cost of repair will depend on the size and depth of the cracks. Cracks can also be an indicator of other foundation issues so it’s important for you to contact an expert who can assess whether or not your home needs additional work done.

Negative drainage

Negative drainage is when water flows away from the house. This can lead to basement or crawlspace moisture, which can damage your property and be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

A home inspector must look for signs of negative drainage, including:

  • Poorly draining front and backyard areas that show standing water after a rainstorm.
  • Sunken areas in your lawn, indicating poor grading or surface drain problems.

Although it’s hard to fix this issue without major renovations, there are a few things you can do to prevent it:

Landscaping problems

If you’re considering installing a water feature or plan to build a deck, you should be aware that many homeowners make the mistake of not having proper drainage in place. This can result in water pooling on your property, which can lead to ponding and soggy soil that alters the landscape’s appearance and potentially damages your house’s foundation.

Another common landscaping problem is an overgrown lawn or garden. If there are large areas where grass has been allowed to grow without being mowed or trimmed for some time, it may be difficult for you to maintain your yard properly going forward because it will require more attention than would otherwise be necessary during this time period when you are trying hard to keep up with all of your other duties as well as handle any renovation projects underway at home such as kitchen remodeling projects that require new cabinets installed throughout much larger areas than originally anticipated before starting work so there was no room left over from our initial estimate given by another contractor who didn’t know what they were doing

Plumbing leaks

If you have a plumbing leak, it could be costing you more than just the water bill. A leaking pipe can cause damage to your home and even lead to mold growth. Plumbing leaks are often hard to spot, so it’s important that your inspector checks for them during their inspection of your home.

  • What causes plumbing leaks?

The most common cause of a plumbing leak is when a pipe becomes corroded or otherwise damaged over time. This can happen due to age, wear and tear from being exposed to harsh chemicals or high heat (such as hot water heaters), or simply poor installation practices by subcontractors at the time of construction/remodeling projects.

Common issues found during home inspections are sometimes costly to fix.

Common issues found during home inspections are sometimes costly to fix.

  • Mold: This can be an expensive problem, depending on the severity of it. You may need to replace drywall or flooring and possibly the entire bathroom if it’s not salvageable.
  • Water leaks: If your home has a leaky roof or plumbing issue, you will likely incur significant damage in your home over time from water damage and mold growth.
  • Insulation deficiencies: If your attic isn’t insulated properly, your utility bills could skyrocket by $200-$300 per month!
  • Electrical problems: Electrical shorts/faults often lead to fire hazards as well as shorted-out appliances like lights or electrical outlets that cause them not to function properly at all! Be sure these issues are fixed so they don’t become a problem later on down the road!

Conclusion

Home inspections are beneficial for both buyers and sellers. Buyers can get an idea of what’s wrong with a house before they buy it, while sellers can take advantage of their knowledge to make necessary repairs in order to sell their homes quickly at the best price possible. If you want to avoid spending money on costly repairs later down the road, it may be worth getting one done right now!

Introduction

When it comes to the comfort of your home, there are few things more important than a properly functioning furnace filter. It keeps the air in your house clean, so you don’t have to worry about dust or other debris circulating throughout your abode. Regularly changing the filters in your furnace is essential for maintaining good air quality, but you should also make sure that you’re replacing them with the right size and type of filter. Changing out your filter regularly will ensure that it continues to work properly and protect against pollutants from entering into your home’s interior space.

Turn off the electricity to your furnace.

  • Shut off the power to your furnace.
  • If you have access to the breaker box, turn off that circuit breaker for a minute or two.
  • If there is an electrical fuse box in your home, pull out any fuses in that circuit and leave them out for a few minutes.
  • Open up the filter compartment of your furnace and remove the old filter (if applicable), making sure to put it somewhere safe where it won’t get dirty or damaged while replacing it with a new one later on!
  • Carefully remove as much dust and debris from the inside as possible by brushing around with a broom handle until all visible buildup has been removed from within before installing new filter(s). Be careful not to damage any other parts like wiring when doing so though!

Locate your furnace filter.

The first step to changing your furnace filter is locating it. You will find the furnace filter in one of three places:

  • In the air ducts (where warm air travels from the furnace through holes in the ductwork)
  • In a return vent for an individual room or zone within your home (these are often located near windows or doors)
  • In an air return (a large, box-like structure that collects and distributes cooled air throughout your home)

Remove the old filter.

  • Remove the old filter.
  • Unscrew the filter from its housing, and pull it out of the unit. You may have to clean off any dust or dirt that’s accumulated on either side of the filter before you remove it from its holder; this will make installation easier later on.
  • Install a new one—and don’t forget to clean it first!

If you skipped step 1, go ahead and do this now: install a new furnace filter with your hands or pliers (if necessary). If not done already, wipe down both sides of the new filter for easier installation next time around. Don’t forget about cleaning off any excess dust/dirt from both sides of your current furnace and its housing unit before proceeding to Step 3 below!

Check your owner’s manual for the right size and type of filter you need.

Check your owner’s manual for the right size and type of filter you need. If you don’t know where your owner’s manual is, check with the manufacturer or ask someone who works at a hardware store where they might keep records of which filters work best with their equipment.

Install the new filter with the arrows pointing toward the blower motor.

  • Make sure you have the right size filter. The filter should be slightly larger than your furnace’s air inlet opening.
  • Make sure you have the right type of filter. Use a pleated or high-efficiency particulate arrestor (HEPA) filter for best results, as they are specifically designed to trap dust and other particles that may otherwise circulate through your home or office. Some filters come with center grids while others do not; if you’re unsure which arrangement is best for your home, consult with an HVAC technician before purchasing replacements.
  • Make sure you have the right filters for your furnace. Don’t forget about any other heating systems in your home—you’ll also need replacement filters for those!

Replace the doors or panels on your furnace and restore power to your furnace.

  • If you have a gas or oil furnace, check the pilot light first to see if it’s working properly.
  • Turn on your circuit breaker and flip the main switch back on; this should restore power to your furnace.
  • Wait at least 15 minutes before trying to turn on your furnace again—this gives time for all of its components to cool down and allows them to operate properly again when turned back on.

Mark your calendar for when you need to replace it next time, using a highlighter or other marker that will remind you how long it’s been since the last replacement.

Mark your calendar for when you need to replace it next time, using a highlighter or other marker that will remind you how long it’s been since the last replacement.

  • Use a calendar. If there are no markings on your filter, use a pencil to mark the date of its last change in large letters on the top or side of the filter.
  • Make a note on your phone, tablet or computer. A reminder might say something like “Change furnace filter” along with today’s date, or just “Filter.”

Wash out any air registers in your home that are dusty, at least once a year, more often if you have pets or smokers in your house.

Changing your furnace filter is a great way to keep your home comfortable, but it’s also important to know when you should replace it. Here are the guidelines for how often you should change your filters:

Every month – if you have pets or smokers in the house

Every 3 months – if dust is noticeable on surfaces around your house (like floors)

Every 6 months – if mold has formed on walls or ceilings

Every 12 months – if there are cracks in the paint or woodwork of your home

Every 2 years – if you have allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems that might be exacerbated by dust and pollen particles in the air you breathe; if there is visible mold growth inside; if there are signs of distress on window sills etc., such as peeling wallpaper or wallpaper curling up at edges; or if homeowners hire professional cleaning services to clean their homes more than once per year

MERV ratings aren’t everything but changing your filters correctly is essential.

MERV ratings aren’t everything but changing your filters correctly is essential. MERV ratings are based on particle size and not the type of filter.

You need to change your filters regularly.

Need help buying the correct furnace filters?

We found this site to be particularly useful when researching filter efficacy and efficiency. You can find it HERE.

Conclusion

Replacing your filter is one of the easiest ways to improve the air quality in your home. It’s also one of the most affordable and effective ways to keep your furnace running smoothly for years to come. If you’re not sure how often to change it, consult your owner’s manual or call someone who can advise you on whether it needs replacing now or later.