Home Inspection : Check the Basements

Are you buying a home with a basement? If so, it is very important that you pay the extra money for a home inspection. When it comes down to it, basement related issues are very common in many different styles of homes. If you do not have an inspection, there is a good chance that you will miss out on a serious problem that could cost you tons of money in the near future. In fact, basements have the potential to contain some of the most serious problems in a home.

You are probably well aware that some basements take in water anytime that it rains. Obviously, this is something that you never want to deal with. If your home inspection shows that this is a problem, you will want to think twice about what you are doing. After all, do you want to deal with a wet basement every time that it rains? If you still want to buy the home, you will need to find out what the problem is and then ask for a solution. If the seller is willing to fix the problem you will be in much better shape than if you have to do so on your own. In most cases, fixing a problem with a wet basement is extensive and costly.

Another common basement related problem has to do with mold. This can be caused by water seepage, as well as a number of other issues. Again, mold is a serious problem that not only looks and smells bad, but can also cause some serious health issues. If the basement has mold, your inspector will more than likely be able to pick up on it within a matter of minutes.

Finally, a cracked foundation can often times be seen in the walls of a basement. As you probably know, this is one of the worst issues that a home can have. A cracked foundation costs a lot of money to repair, and can keep the resale value of a home very low. This is a problem that you will want to negotiate with the seller.

Overall, a home that has a basement has the potential for many additional issues. Make sure that your home inspector does a good job checking this room.