Selling your home—or selling someone else’s home, for that matter—can be a long process. If the home inspection doesn’t go well, it could take even longer.
The home inspection can be daunting. What if the inspector finds major problems? What if the buyer backs out unless you pay up to get those issues fixed? And what if they are expensive fixes? Luckily, there are cost-effective solutions to many common home-inspection problems, from damaged pipes to defective heating.
Stay on top of the issues so that you can save time, money, and headaches when it’s time for the inspection. And if you’ve already weathered a home inspection, it’s not too late! These fixes can still save time and money, and satisfy your home buyer, too.
According to Realtor magazine, these are five of the most coming home inspection problems you might run in to, and our solutions for taking care of the issues without breaking the bank.
Problem #1: Clogged or bent gutters that aren’t channeling water away from the house, which can lead to foundation, landscape, and wood damage.
Solution: Remove the bottom part of the downspout, and spray your garden hose at full pressure upwards into the spout. Feed the hose into the spout as the clog loosens. Maplewood Plumbing offers downspout cleaning services for those particularly stubborn clogs.
Problem #2: Cracks in the foundation of the house, which can lead to mold growth or collapse.
Solution: Fill cracks in the foundation with silicone caulk, because it lasts longer than plumber’s putty, and won’t damage surfaces.
Problem #3: Damaged pipes, which can cause a sewage backup.
Solution: A sewage backup is a huge problem that can lead to extensive costs and weeks of repair time. The traditional solution—replacing the pipes—isn’t a whole lot better. While it solves the problem, it’s not easy on the budget, and the work involved requires digging up your yard, landscaping, and even the inside of your home, leading to even more repair costs. Pipe lining is a non-invasive way to repair damaged pipes, by creating a pipe within an existing pipe. This solution doesn’t require damage to your property, is less expensive than other methods, and faster. Maplewood Plumbing can get the job done in as little as 24 hours. Learn more about pipe lining here.
Problem #4: Inadequate water pressure
Solution: Check water pressure using a pressure gauge, available at home improvement stores. Connect the pressure gauge to an outside faucet. If your water pressure is below 45 PSI, try turning the handle of the shut-off valves near your water meter. Be sure to keep your water pressure regulator below 75 PSI to avoid plumbing damage. Otherwise, if your faucets outside are working fine, it might be time to clean or replace the specific sink, shower, or other fixture with low water pressure. Maplewood Plumbing offers water pressure restoration services, including cleaning and replacement.
Problem #5: The house is looking a bit…drab.
Solution: Keeping up with the physical appearance of your home is equally as important as the inner workings. If paint is chipping, throw on a fresh coat. If the carpet has seen better days, replace it.
With preventative maintenance and routine inspections of your home’s plumbing and other fixtures, you may avoid some of these common problems seen during a home inspection. The quicker you pass a home inspection, the closer you are to selling your home—simple as that!
If you have noticed any of these issues in your own home, and are preparing for a home inspection (either soon or perhaps down the road), Maplewood Plumbing is happy to help make your home inspection-ready. Call us today at 314-645-6350, or visit our website https://maplewoodplumbing.com/ to learn more about how to prepare your home to pass an inspection with flying colors!
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