Common Warm Weather Issues Home Inspectors Find in Summer

Protect Your Home: The Top 3 Summer Problems You Need to Watch For

As the Flathead Valley warms up, homeowners are stepping outside, firing up the grill, and tackling those to-do lists that were put off during our long winter months. And while spring and summer bring sunshine and outdoor fun, they also bring a few seasonal home issues we see a lot during inspections this time of year.

Here are three areas we recommend giving some extra attention to right now—and why a professional inspection might save you time, money, and a major headache down the road.

1. Deck Safety

Your deck may be your summer gathering spot, but if it hasn’t been inspected in years (or ever), you might be one cracked board away from disaster. We see issues like:

Loose railings
Rotting support posts
Nail pops and splintering boards
Inadequate flashing where the deck connects to the house

Let’s take a closer look at one of the most common (and easily overlooked) deck issues we uncover every summer: loose railings.

A slightly shaky railing might seem like no big deal—until someone leans on it. Then suddenly, it is a big deal.

Loose railings are one of the most common (and easily overlooked) issues we find during warm-weather inspections, especially in older decks, porches, and stairways. But here’s the truth: they’re more than just an eyesore—they’re a liability.

Safety First: Falls and Injuries

Railings are your first line of defense against falls from elevated surfaces. Whether it’s a deck, staircase, or landing, even a slight give in the railing can lead to:

Slips and serious injuries—especially for kids or older adults
Legal and insurance liabilities if a guest or client gets hurt
Failed safety inspections when selling or renting out the property
It only takes one misstep and one loose board to cause a trip to the ER.
Moisture and Rot at the Connection Points

Montana winters are tough on wood, and spring moisture only adds to the challenge. Water seeps into joints and fasteners where the railing connects to the deck, leading to:

Wood rot and weakening around posts
Rusted or corroded nails and screws
Expansion and contraction that loosens connections. The result? A railing that might look fine but is barely hanging on
Improper Installation or Aging Materials

Sometimes, the issue begins with how the railing was initially constructed. We often find:

Posts not properly anchored to joists
Inadequate support spacing
Shortcuts taken with fasteners or materials that just don’t hold up over time
If a deck wasn’t built to code—or hasn’t been maintained—it’s only a matter of time before the railing gives out.

Real Estate Red Flags

If you’re buying or selling a home, loose railings are one of the quickest things to show up on an inspection report—and one of the easiest for buyers to overreact to. Why risk delaying a sale when a quick inspection and fix now can give everyone peace of mind?

Don’t wait for a wobble to become a warning sign. A quick check now can prevent injuries, costly repairs, or liability issues down the road. Our inspections include a full look at all safety features—including deck railings, stair rails, and structural supports.

2. Outdoor Plumbing and the Undetected Cracked Pipe

Warmer temps = garden hoses, sprinklers, and outdoor sinks back in use. But winter can be rough on plumbing systems, especially if any part of your outdoor plumbing froze or expanded. Common issues we find:

Cracked pipes
Leaky hose bibs
Poor drainage near the foundation

These may seem like minor annoyances at first, but water damage is one of the most costly home repairs—and it’s often preventable. Now let’s dig into what happens when a cracked pipe goes undetected—and why it’s one of the sneakiest causes of major damage.

What You Can’t See: The Hidden Damage Behind Those Cracked Pipes

Cracked pipes aren’t always obvious. In fact, many homeowners don’t realize they have one until the damage has already spread. While a dripping faucet or damp spot might seem like a minor issue, here’s what could be happening behind the scenes:

Slow Leaks = Hidden Water Damage

A hairline crack in a pipe can release a slow, steady stream of water into your walls, foundation, or soil. Over time, this moisture can:

Soak into insulation, drywall, or wood
Promote mold and mildew growth
Attract insects and pests
Weaken structural supports

By the time it’s visible, the damage is already well underway—and much more expensive to fix.

Foundation Erosion

Cracked pipes near your home’s foundation (especially in sprinkler or irrigation systems) can cause water to pool where it shouldn’t. What looks like a small leak above ground could be slowly undermining the structure below. Over time, this softens the soil around your foundation, leading to:

Cracks in the foundation walls
Uneven settling
Drainage problems that affect your entire yard
Increased Utility Bills

Even a slow leak adds up. Cracked pipes often go unnoticed until homeowners see a surprising spike in their water bill. That’s money literally going down the drain.

Frozen Pipe Remnants

In Northwest Montana, the winter freeze-thaw cycle is no joke. Even if your pipes didn’t burst outright during the cold months, many develop tiny cracks from expanding ice—especially older or improperly insulated lines. These cracks often go undetected until warmer weather increases water usage and pressure.

The Bottom Line When It Comes to Frozen or Cracked Pipes

Just because you don’t see a problem doesn’t mean there isn’t one. A professional inspection can catch these invisible issues before they spiral into a major repair bill. At 406 HIP, we know what to look for and where the problem spots tend to hide—so you don’t have to find out the hard way.

3. Attic Ventilation

When was the last time you looked in your attic? If your answer is “I haven’t,” that’s the answer we hear most often—but summer is a critical time to ensure your attic is properly ventilated. Without good airflow, attics can trap heat and moisture, leading to:

Mold growth
Warped roof decking
Reduced lifespan of shingles
Higher cooling costs

An inspection can identify ventilation issues and help you keep your attic—and your energy bills—under control. Let’s zero in on one of the most serious consequences of poor ventilation: mold growth.

Mold: What You Can’t See Can Hurt You

Mold isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it’s a sign that moisture has made itself at home where it doesn’t belong. And once mold starts growing, it can spread fast, cause costly damage, and even impact your health.

At 406 HIP, we see mold-related issues all year long, but they tend to spike in the warmer months when spring thaw, attic condensation, and poor ventilation collide. Here’s what every homeowner needs to know:

1. It’s Not Always Visible

Think mold is easy to spot? Think again. While black spots on drywall or wood are a clear red flag, mold often hides behind walls, under flooring, or in attic insulation. We often find it:

In crawlspaces and basements
Around leaky windows or roofs
Near poorly ventilated bathrooms
Behind furniture pushed up against exterior walls

By the time it’s visible or smells musty, there’s usually more hidden nearby.

2. Moisture Is the Root Cause

Mold only needs three things to grow: moisture, warmth, and an organic surface to feed on (like wood, drywall, or carpet). Common triggers include:

Leaky pipes or roofs
Improper attic or bathroom ventilation
High indoor humidity or poor drainage outside the home
Wet insulation or condensation build-up

An inspection can pinpoint where the moisture is coming from—and stop mold before it takes over.

3. Mold Can Affect Your Health

Even small mold colonies can affect indoor air quality, especially for:
People with allergies or asthma
Children and the elderly
Those with compromised immune systems

Common symptoms linked to mold exposure include coughing, congestion, headaches, and fatigue—often mistaken for seasonal allergies or colds.

4. It Hurts Your Home’s Value

Mold doesn’t just eat away at health—it eats away at buyer confidence. Mold found during an inspection can:

Delay or kill a sale
Lead to expensive remediation
Trigger home insurance issues
Cause long-term damage to walls, ceilings, and HVAC systems

And here’s the kicker: many of the causes of mold are preventable with routine maintenance and regular inspections.

Breathe easier with a proactive inspection.
If it’s been a while since your attic, crawlspace, or plumbing areas were checked out, now’s the time. Our home inspections include a visual assessment of all areas prone to moisture and mold—so you can catch the problem early and fix it before it spreads.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!

Seasonal issues are often easy to fix if you catch them early. That’s where we come in. A quick home inspection now can help you stay ahead of the game and avoid those costly “surprises” later.