Foundations are the stronghold of a home. As such, having them examined is of immense value in determining a property’s structural stability and safety. Moreover, having to repair them is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor to deal with, for both parties involved in a real estate purchase.

So whether you are planning to sell or buy a home in Chula Vista, it’s only natural that you wonder how your home inspector will examine this part of the property and whether impaired foundations could be considered a potential deal breaker.

Keep reading to learn more about how foundation inspections work and why they are an integral part of home inspections.

What does a foundation inspection include?

Examining the foundations is one of the key elements of home inspections. As with all other aspects of home inspections, this is a non-invasive, visual search for signs of structural damage designed to identify existing problems.

To perform the visual check, your inspector will need free access to the property’s basement, crawl space, and attic, so make sure to declutter these areas as much as possible.

Your inspector will look for signs such as:

• Cracked drywall
• Cracked ceilings
• Cracked exterior walls
• Misaligned windows or doors that jam and fail to latch
• Slanted floors or cracked tiles
• Bouncy floorboards
• Signs that the walls and the ceiling are separating
• Excessive moisture in the basement or crawl space
• Cracks in the foundation
•  A tilting chimney
• Warped siding
• Cracks and gaps over doorways and windows
• Sunken staircases and porches

These are all powerful indicators that something might be wrong with your home’s foundations. Your inspector will provide you with a report and give you an estimate of how bad the damage is.

However, if the inspection report reveals major structural and safety concerns and you want to get an exact estimate of the cost of repairs, you’ll need to hire a structural engineer. A structural engineer will also help you determine the best course of action to fix the problem.

Are foundation issues a deal-breaker in a home inspection?

One of the most common misconceptions about home inspections is that damaged foundations can lead to a failing grade on the final inspection report. However, this is simply not how home inspections work. Even though they might uncover concerning issues, the closure can still take place as long as both parties agree on the terms.

That being said, unless the buyer has waived the home inspection contingency clause and agreed to buy the home as-is, when the inspection report uncovers major foundation issues that the seller is not willing to repair, they are within their right to walk away from the deal.

Furthermore, not all foundation issues are equally serious and not all are equally expensive to repair. Essentially, foundation issues don’t have to ruin a deal. Still, they should never go uninspected, as even minor ones can allow other problems, such as mold or termites, to enter your home.

Where in Chula Vista can I find a trustworthy home inspector?

If you intend to buy a property near Castle Park High School or anywhere else in the vicinity, and you need professional guidance to make a decision you won’t regret down the road, The Inspectors Company will gladly offer you their help.

We provide our clients with a full range of residential and commercial building inspections, customized to meet any of the client’s specific needs. So whether you desire to check your household appliances for safety issues or get an in-depth thermal imaging inspection, The Inspectors Company can do that and more. Give us a call today!

Home inspections are designed to help clients get a good understanding of a home’s true condition and dismiss any possible safety concerns a property might have. If home appliances are included in your real estate purchase, it’s only logical to ask yourself the question of whether or not your scheduled home inspection in Chula Vista will check them for faultiness.

If so, how thorough is an appliance check?  Which appliances will your inspector examine, and which ones aren’t part of the home inspection process?

From adding home inspection contingency clauses to contracts, debunking some of the most frequent home inspection myths, to the importance of inspecting the foundation of a house, there are many aspects to a home inspection. In this article, you’ll find out all there is to know about home appliance inspections. Read on!

Do home inspectors check appliances?

The answer to this question is yes, they do. The primary goal of home inspections is to determine whether the property you are purchasing is move-in safe. Home inspectors usually operate and check all the major, built-in household appliances that go with the property for signs of serious malfunctioning.

It’s important to note that this type of inspection is not a detailed inspection by an appliance expert. Instead, the goal is simply to determine whether the appliance is properly installed, operational and safe to use.

Additionally, home inspectors can verify whether there are manufacturer recalls on any of the appliances in your household. This is a specialized type of service called a RecallCheck, and you can get it together with your standard home inspection.

What is a RecallCheck service?

Although most manufacturer recalls are made publicly available online, the process of searching through the database is often time and energy-consuming. According to the OECD, consumer reactions to product recalls are still worryingly low, meaning that a large number of faulty and potentially dangerous household appliances remain widely in use.

As part of an appliance inspection, your inspector will note down the make, model and serial number of all accessible appliances and submit their report. RecallCheck service then matches the specifics against their database to check whether a recall has been issued.

Do home inspectors run the dishwasher?

Appliance inspections usually check the functionality of large, built-in appliances that stay in the household after the purchase. This includes the dishwasher, stove, built-in microwave, refrigerator, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, and food-waste disposal. Smaller, easily moved, and unplugged appliances are typically not part of the inspection.

To check whether your dishwasher is in working order, your home inspector will first perform a visual check of the appliance and make sure it’s securely installed. They will also look for signs of leaks or water damage to the floors and cabinets surrounding the appliance and check the condition of the water supply line and the drain hose. After that, they will run it using normal operating controls, to see if it fills up, drains, and performs a full washing cycle.

Where can I hire a reliable home inspection in Chula Vista & the vicinity?

If you’re purchasing a home near Eastlake High School or anywhere else in Chula Vista, and you’d like to have the property thoroughly inspected, reach out to The Inspectors Company.

Our team of certified InterNACHI home inspectors specializes in providing the full scope of residential and commercial property inspections tailored to suit your needs.

Whether you’re looking to get an appliance check, a mold inspection, thermal imaging inspection, verbal home inspection or more, you can count on us to deliver the highest standard of service. Get in touch with us today!