As mentioned last week, many cities in the metro area require inspections prior to listing a house for sale. This week, we’ll talk about some of the most common repair items found during these inspections. These are items that sellers are typically required to correct before the closing. Taking care of these items ahead of time will make for a cleaner report and a smoother selling process.
Vacuum Breakers – also known as backflow preventers. This is a device that can be purchased at most hardware stores, and should be screwed on to the end of any exterior hose faucets, or indoor faucets that could accept a garden hose thread (typically the laundry faucet). These are basically one-way valves that protect the city’s water supply from potential contamination. Note the set screw in the vacuum breaker pictured to the right – this set screw should be tightened down until broken off to make sure the vacuum breaker is permanently installed.
Smoke Detectors are recommended in every bedroom and one in a common area on every level, such as a hallway. Take time to test every detector in the house, install new batteries if needed, or replace the detector if defective. Smoke detectors should ideally be located on the ceiling in the middle of the room, and never closer than four to six inches to a wall if mounted on the ceiling. If mounted on a wall, follow manufactures instructions for location.
Plumbing leaks and electrical hazards make up a large portion of the repair items. Take time to make sure there are no leaking plumbing fixtures. To test the sink, fill the sink up with four inches of water, then let it drain. Look underneath with a flashlight to make sure there are no small drips, and also check the faucet handles for leaks – laundry faucets are the most common offenders. To ensure no electrical issues, replace any missing cover plates at outlets and switches – check the outlet behind your fridge too! Make sure there are no permanently installed appliances running on extension cords – the most common offenders are garage door openers and water softeners.
While these items make up only a small portion of what we home inspectors look for during city inspections, these are certainly some of the most common repair items, and are often some of the easiest items to take care of ahead of time. Feel free to contact me for any specific questions about these requirements.
Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections – Email – Website
