Are you buying a home? Congrats!

Purchasing a new place to live is an exciting time for you and your loved ones. You can personalize a space and really make it your own. Plus, you now have an asset which is a huge accomplishment.

You want to protect your investment and know what you’re getting yourself into when you buy a new piece of property. Sometimes, problems you can’t see can cost you a ton of money.

With any home, there will likely be repairs or issues to deal with, especially if you’re buying an older house. Know what to expect and how you should deal with it when issues arise.

Read on to learn about the 4 most common repairs needed after home inspection.

Roofing

Depending on what material your roof is made out of and what kind of climate you live in, you should plan to replace your roof between every 20-50 years. If the roof is old, there will likely be issues with it that will either require repair or altogether replacement.

Watch for chipping shingles, leaks or water stains on the ceiling or in the attic if you have one. An inspector will be able to tell you if the roof can be repaired or if you need to invest in a new one.

If your roof is more than 20 years old, it’s likely more cost effective to replace it entirely. This will also be a smart investment of money on your end when it comes time to resell and can prevent further issues once you move into the home.

There are some ways to tell with the naked eye if your roof has been through the wringer. If you have asphalt shingles, you’ll see them begin to curl down or up as they age and you can notice the material that holds them together.

Wood shingles will react similarly to asphalt ones except you can see the actual shingle split or break and you may also witness termite or other insect damage.

Terra Cotta tiles will last the longest but once they crack they can’t be repaired and need replacement. Look for cracking or chipping with this material to signal there’s a problem.

Electrical

If your new home is older, it may also have old electrical wiring throughout. Unless the electrical has been completely overhauled, this is something you’ll have to closely examine.

An old electrical system can’t manage the type of energy required to run a modern home. The breaker will short and you’ll find yourself having to restart the box over and over.

More importantly, because the home isn’t equipped to handle the energy, you’re more vulnerable to electrical fires or getting electrocuted due to faulty wiring. The seller or sellers agent can tell you what kind of electrical system is in place and how old it is.

Some signs of an older system include exposed wires and lots of extensions cords. This is because newer systems have more outlets and older systems have fewer, requiring more wires to make more appliances function.

Watch for the outlets as well. If they only have two holes instead of three, you’re going to have trouble using your everyday devices. Read more now from Cooper Heating and Cooling about other common electrical problems found in the home.

Foundation

A foundation issue needs to be handled quickly since this is the base for which the entire home rests on. If something goes wrong with the foundation, your home is vulnerable to damage.

Foundations can sink, rise, or crack and it’s important to tell the difference between them because their repairs will vary in cost. Some foundation cracks are normal and can be repaired easily while larger foundation issues are likely to run you a high bill.

If your home is older, it may rest on a sill which is on top of the ground below the house. If the sill has damage, it can leave your home vulnerable to outdoor elements like insects, animals, and water.

Make sure your inspector is honest with you about what kind of shape your foundation is in so you can make a decision from a place of knowledge.

Asbestos and Mold

Asbestos was used in older constructions because it was valuable against a fire in the home. However, when released, it is toxic and dangerous to your health and is known to have lasting physical effects on the body.

If you believe your home has asbestos, you should have it removed professionally unless you plan on never disturbing the area where it is. For example, if it’s in the flooring but the flooring is intact, it won’t affect you.

But if the flooring is cracked or flaking, the asbestos is being released into the air and you’ll be breathing it in, causing damage to your lungs. The use of asbestos was banned by the EPA because of its health risks.

Watch for mold caused by water damage. You can ask your inspector to do a mold check in certain areas like below the kitchen sink or in the bathrooms. Sometimes this is overlooked but a mold issue caused by a small leak can ravage your home if you don’t handle it correctly and quickly.

A professional should remediate the mold and repair the damaged areas so you’re certain it’s properly handled and all mold is removed before you move in. Mold can cause serious allergies and health risks like upper respiratory problems, headaches, extreme dizziness, and skin rashes.

Watch for These Common Repairs Needed After Home Inspection

While buying a home is a thrilling time, it’s also a serious decision that you want to be cautious about.

Now that you have an understanding of many common repairs needed after home inspection, you’ll know what to prepare for and can make a decision about moving forward with the purchase of the home once you thoroughly assess the cost of fixing any issues.

Check out the rest of our site for more home buying tips!