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Common Issues Discovered During 4-Point Inspections


A San Diego 4-point inspection is a visual inspection conducted by a home inspector licensed in the state. The purpose of this checkup is to identify any potential issues with the house’s four major systems – roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. 

The goal is for the homeowners to be aware of these problems if they exist, and repair or replace the parts that are causing them to avoid further damage. We’ll break down some of the most frequent problems discovered during 4-point inspections.

What are the most common faults with 4-point home inspections?

If you’re planning on buying or selling a house, know that you’ll need to book a 4-point inspection. This checkup is an important part of the whole process, as it helps uncover any potential problems with critical systems in your home.

Knowing the specifics about 4-point home inspections, including what common issues they tend to uncover can be of great help. You’ll avoid any unexpected surprises, and even if something is not working properly, dealing with it will be a lot easier.

Let’s see the most frequent faults that 4-point checkups may uncover.

Issues with electrical wiring

A faulty electrical system can pose a serious safety hazard. This is one of the major reasons to book a 4-point inspection. While at your home, an inspector will check for:

  • Outdated wiring
  • Overloaded circuits or outlets
  • Lack of proper grounding systems
  • Inadequate fuses and breakers
  • Exposed wiring
  • Improper installation

If any of these issues are discovered during the inspection, they’ll need to be addressed before the sale of the house is finalized. Any of these issues can put homeowners at risk for electrical fires if not addressed properly.

Plumbing problems

Plumbing issues can range from minor annoyances to major disasters. Any plumbing problems found should be taken care of immediately, no matter how small. Water damage can end up causing major trouble if you leave it unattended. This is especially the case if we’re talking about an older house, like those historic-style homes in Point Loma.

Issues with the plumbing can include:

  • Leaking fixtures
  • Corrosion or leaks
  • Clogged pipes and drains 
  • Water pressure problems
  • Lack of proper insulation in exposed pipes
  • Inadequate venting in drain lines
  • Malfunctioning valves or seals

All of these should be addressed promptly in order to prevent further damage and costly repairs down the line.

HVAC system malfunctions

What are the most common faults with 4-point home inspections

A functioning HVAC system is essential for keeping your home at a comfortable temperature year-round and ensuring the air quality in your house. If any problems with your HVAC system are found during the inspection process, they’ll need to be resolved before closing the sale of your home.

Some common ones include:

  • Clogged filter systems that cause airflow restriction
  • Faulty thermostats
  • Fans that don’t turn on automatically
  • Inadequate insulation levels
  • incorrect duct sizing

Homeowners should address these kinds of issues quickly since they can lead to higher energy bills if left unchecked for too long.

Roofing issues 

The most common issue uncovered during a 4-point inspection is roof damage. This could be caused by old age, weather conditions, or improper installation. In some cases, it could also be caused by poor maintenance. These issues can range from minor repairs such as missing shingles or tiles to major replacements such as replacing an entire roof due to severe damage.

Which service in San Diego, CA should I book for a 4-point inspection

Which service in San Diego, CA should I book for a 4-point inspection?

While 4-point inspections don’t require any disassembly or in-depth analysis of the four systems, it’s still a very important checkup that requires a highly trained eye. If you’re looking for a reputable company with professional and reliable inspectors to help you with one, look no further than The Inspectors Company. 

Whether you need a 4-point examination because you’re buying a home, selling it, renewing an insurance policy, or anything else, we’ve got you covered. Feel free to give us a call for more info!

4-Point Inspection: Do I Need One?


If you’re a homeowner or considering purchasing your own home, you’ll likely need a 4-point inspection of the property at one point. Home inspections can play a significant role in protecting your investment, but this specific one is often done based on a requirement from lenders or insurance companies.

Read on for a breakdown of this type of checkup to help you understand whether you need a 4-point inspection in San Diego, CA.

What is a four-point inspection?

How do I know if I require a four-point inspection

A 4-point inspection is a visual assessment of certain components of a property. While there are a few reasons for booking a 4-point inspection, people usually do so because an insurance company requires it. The name comes from the four areas that are typically evaluated during these inspections: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and the roof.

Each system should be inspected for age and general condition. But an important fact about the 4-point inspections is that they don’t include invasive diagnostics or disassembling. The inspector will look at clearly visible parts like wiring and vents only and look out for common issues that are typically discovered during 4-point inspections.

The purpose of this type of inspection is to ensure all major systems in the property are up to code and functioning properly before issuing an insurance policy on the property.  Most companies also require that the inspected systems be less than 15 years old in order to qualify for coverage under their policies.  

How do I know if I need this inspection?

Some lenders require 4-point inspections if they are providing financing for a property. They want to make sure their loan collateral has adequate protection against potential losses due to damage from hazardous conditions caused by aging or faulty major systems. 

Similarly, some insurance companies may require one if they are providing homeowners insurance policies since they want to know the condition of all major systems in the home prior to offering coverage. Even if you don’t need one right now, it’s always best to get one done periodically so that you can keep track of any potential issues with your property before they become bigger problems down the line.

What happens if you fail a 4-point inspection?

Inspection companies that do this kind of checkup know that the name and type refer to the systems being examined, and not the specific requirements they have to meet. This is because the criteria which determine whether you pass the inspection are set by an insurance company or anyone else that asks you to book it.

In some cases, the same property may fail to pass a 4-point by the requirements of one company and pass it with the other. Oftentimes, it happens that you fail but are given a possibility to pass if you manage to fix an issue discovered within a certain time frame, for example, 30 days.

What happens if you fail a 4-point inspection

Where can I hire the leading 4-point inspection service in San Diego, CA?

Are you looking to buy a new home in sunny San Diego so you can enjoy Encinitas’ beaches every weekend? Or are you just a responsible homeowner looking to double-check any faults that might be hidden in your house’s major systems before they become too big of a problem? 

Then you likely know you’ll need a 4-point inspection very soon! The Inspectors Company specializes in this kind of checkup. The highly trained experts working with us can promise to do it in a professional and efficient manner. Feel free to reach out to us and learn more about our services!

4 Reasons to Book a 4-Point Inspection


4-Reasons-to-Book-a-4-Point-InspectionAs a homeowner, it’s important to stay on top of the maintenance of your property. Part of that responsibility is knowing when it’s time to schedule a professional home inspection. While there are many different types of house inspections, in the following article, we’ll focus on the purpose of 4-point home inspections and how booking a San Diego 4-point inspection can benefit you.

Why should I schedule a 4-point home inspection?

The most important aspect of four-point home inspections is that, unlike full home inspections or specific ones, they always focus on the house’s same four main systems. These include roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Here are four common reasons why people require this type of inspection:

1. Buying a house

When looking for a new home, you want to ensure that you are making a good investment. A property might look perfect to an untrained eye during a walk-through – and there could still be serious malfunctions of some of the mentioned systems.

You’d want to avoid buying a house with hidden problems. Repair and replacement tend to be very expensive in this case, so making sure that everything is in order is always a good idea.

2. Insurance company request

Home insurance companies will make this kind of checkup almost always a requirement before making or renewing your policy. Before deciding the terms, any company will want to determine the shape your property is in. Any issues with four of the systems have an impact.

However, a 4-point inspection is not something to simply pass or fail, it’s more of an assessment tool. It’s there to expose potential issues and help you address them appropriately.

3. Routine checkup

If you’re a homeowner who wants to save yourself from all the trouble issues the house’s major systems can cause if left unattended, this type of inspection is a good idea. Frequent problems discovered during 4-point inspections usually require much less attention, time, and money than the consequences of not knowing you have them would.

4. It’s a fast, easy, and affordable

While there are many types of inspections you can get, whether it’s a requirement or a choice, not all of them are quick and affordable – or necessary. Full home inspections are a good option when buying a property, but may not be suitable for a routine checkup.

On the other hand, 4-point inspections give a good insight into the condition of the house while not costing a lot of money and usually only taking up a few hours to complete.

If you’re wondering whether you need a 4-point home inspection before buying a new property, here are the biggest benefits scheduling one can bring:

  • It can help identify any potential problems before you finalize the purchase.
  • It can give you an idea of what repairs or improvements you may need to make in the future.
  • It can help to ensure your insurance policy covers all of the potential risks associated with the property.
  • It can provide peace of mind by allowing you to identify any potential hazards before they become a problem.

Why-should-I-schedule-a-4-point-home-inspectionWhat is the most reliable San Diego 4-point inspection company?

Are you looking for someone to perform a 4-point inspection on the property you own or are looking to buy? The efficient experts from The Inspectors Company can take a look at your home at an affordable price.

The whole checkup will be done by the time you would need to have a meal at a restaurant in Gaslamp Quarter, and you’ll be informed about anything you need to pay attention to in your house’s major systems. Call us today!

Top Details on 4-Point Home Inspections


Top-Details-on-4-Point-Home-InspectionsAn inspection that focuses equally on the main parts and systems that should at all times be in good condition – has become a standard part of the home-buying process. And not only that – many people ask for a 4-point inspection in San Diego as a part of a routine checkup.

In this article, we’ll discuss what a four-point home inspection is, what it includes, and why it’s important, with the goal to make it easier for you to assess whether you need one.

What is a four-point home inspection?

A four-point home inspection is a crucial step in the home-buying process. Besides that occasion, there are plenty of other reasons to book a four-point checkup – even on the home you already own and don’t plan to move from any time soon.

In short – it is an examination of the home’s major and most important systems. The purpose is to assess their condition and determine whether they need to be repaired or replaced.

The “four points” in the name itself refer to:

  • HVAC system
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Roofing

Most insurance companies require a four-point checkup before they will provide homeowners insurance on a property. This requirement is in place because these are some of the most expensive home systems to repair or replace. As such, insurers want to make sure that they are insuring a home with systems that are in good working order.

What does a 4-point home inspection include?

A four-point home inspection is a limited but important evaluation of a property. Typically, insurers require it to be done for homes that are more than 40 years old, and they are an expected part of the home-buying process.

But if your home isn’t old, and you’re not buying, you might be wondering – do I need a four-point inspection? While there’s no need for extensive diagnostics once a month, an annual checkup of these four systems is encouraged no matter the situation.

If you identify any potential problems early on, it can help avoid costly repairs down the road. Complex repairs or replacements of these four systems are quite pricey and can take quite a lot of time. Not to mention the great damage their malfunctions can cause to your house’s entire structure if left unattended.

Common issues found during a four-point checkup are often smaller and easier to fix. But due to the nature of these parts of the house, which includes them being hidden from sight, minor malfunctions are hard to detect with an untrained eye.

When performing a four-point checkup, professionals will check the four main systems:

  • HVAC system – Checking if everything is properly sized and installed, and testing the equipment on site to assess whether everything is working as expected
  • Plumbing – Leaks are the most common issue found in plumbing, and fixing small leaks in time can save you a lot of money and stress. The inspector will also look at whether all parts are there, properly installed, and if they work properly.
  • Electrical – Must be in good working condition and up to code.
  • Roofing – Perhaps the most important part of the home. Everything must be in good shape to prevent discomfort, safety issues, and damage that any weather or environmental conditions can cause. Living near La Jolla, for example, may include a mild, pleasant climate, but don’t forget that the proximity of saltwater can cause plenty of damage as well.

What-is-a-four-point-home-inspectionWhere do I find skilled professionals to perform a 4-point inspection in San Diego?

No matter if you’re looking to sell a house, buy one, or are just being rightfully cautious and looking to book an annual inspection of your home, The Inspectors Company is the right service to call.

Trained eyes, years of experience, and top-notch equipment our inspectors use, guarantee that no malfunctions or small damages will go unnoticed when you book a checkup with us. And if we find anything that isn’t functioning properly, we will give honest advice and recommend further courses of action with all available options laid out. Call us for more info!