TOP 10 MOST COMMON HOME DEFECTS IN MONTANA

1. Faulty or missing raingutters—clogged or bent gutters, water not channeled away from house.

• The cure: Preventive maintenance; gutters of adequate size, splash pans to divert run-off

1. Raingutters are not there to keep ice from forming on your walkway  They are critical to getting the water away from the foundation and will prolong the life of the home

2. Faulty wiring—open junction boxes, amperage mismatches, no wire nuts on wires, double taps.

• The cure: Fix junction boxes; upgrade to at least 100 amps

1. Homeowner upgrades are the most common things needing to be corrected, sticking another wire on a circuit breaker for some plugs in the basement seems like no big deal, but it can be if not done correctly

3. Poor grading and drainage—spongy soil around the foundation, signs of leaking in basement.

• The cure: Regrade so that grounds slopes away from house for 10 feet; remove porous material around foundation.

1. This goes a long way to the gutters not being installed or installed incorrectly. Did you know planters built up against the house can cause huge problems as well?

4. Basement dampness—water stains, powdery residue on walls, mold or mildew.

• The cure: Repair gutters to channel water away from house; apply waterproof coatings to basement.

1. Welcome to Montana, easily the greatest state in the nation and we love our water playgrounds. Just not in the house or under it

5. Roof problems—brittle or curled shingles; broken or missing flashings.

• The cure: Apply new shingle, or tear off if needed (usually after three re-roofs ); replacing flashings, especially around chimneys and other protrusions.

1. Notice that most things here are comming back to water getting into, under, or around things you dont want it too?

6. Foundation flaws—cracks in foundation, sloping floors, sticking doors or windows.

• The cure: Fill cracks with silicon caulking or epoxy; apply waterproof coating to exterior.

1. Water again, water is a powerful force, after all it did create the Grand Canyon

7. Poor upkeep—needs repainting, worn carpeting, cracked driveway.

• The cure: Give the house a minor facelift.

1. Good old fashioned wear and tear

8. Faulty plumbing—inadequate water pressure, slow drains, signs of leaks on ceilings.

• The cure: Clean and rout drains; reseat toilet with new wax ring, repair leaks.

1. Water?

9. Poor ventilation—extreme heat in attic, vapor condensation.

• The cure: Ensure that roof soffits are not blocked; install additional roof vents; vent bathroom and kitchen fans outside.

1. Ice Dams (frozen water) is caused by too little insulation and too little ventilation in the Attic. Heat tape is not a cure, it is a bandaid. The idea is to keep the attic cool and not melt the snow agains the roof in the first place. Ad Insulation and increase ventilation to cure ise dams

10. Defective heating—cracks in the heat exchanger or water tank; carbon monoxide leaks.

• The cure: Reseal chimney flues; replace sacrificial anode in water heater.

1. Hmm No water jokes come to mind but it water again

Robin Patrick 2019

406 Home Inspection Pros