Whether you’re preparing for an inspection of your own home or looking to purchase, there are ways to identify and diagnose issues before the official home inspection.

For both homeowners and prospective buyers, the day of an official home inspection can be quite high-pressure. Things like leaky faucets and faulty wiring can be easy to catch, and doing so before a home inspection can make the inspection and reporting process much more efficient.

Before focusing on granular electrical and plumbing shortfalls within a home, it’s important to evaluate the overarching context, including how old the structure is and if any renovations, updates or upgrades have been completed independently or professionally. 

“Aging homes and those which have undergone poorly-executed renovations or updates are more likely to have plumbing and electrical issues,” explained Adam Long, president of HomeTeam Inspection Service. “By knowing the complete history of a home, owners and prospective buyers can be sure to focus on higher-risk areas during a walkthrough.”

Plumbing Issues Can Grow to Be Some of the Most Costly and Challenging to Fix

As always, context should come first. Considering or asking about water supply and the age of the systems creates a strong baseline to help evaluate potential issues. 

A qualified home inspector will complete a robust evaluation of the plumbing system, but there are a few easy checks that can be completed in preparation for the official inspection.

Look at the faucets. This is a simple way to catch persistent leaks or discover poor water pressure, which can be an indicator of a larger issue within the pipes.
While the faucets are on, make note of how sinks and tubs are draining. Again, slow draining can be an indicator of a clogged pipe. Sometimes, resolving this issue can be as easy as snaking the drain, but it is best to address the issue in case the source is something more serious.
Do a visual check. While walking through the home, keep an eye out for water damage, mold or eroded pipes. Water damage can manifest as brown spots on the ceiling and walls, warped floors or a persistent leak with no logical source.

Electrical Issues Can Greatly Reduce the Safety of the Home

Improper wiring can cause a mess of practical and safety-related problems. Faulty wiring, whether a circuit was rewired improperly or wires have just worn down over the years, is the primary cause of concern, but it can manifest in a few different ways. These are some of the things you can do to discover a wiring problem.
 

Use a receptacle analyzer or test outlets by plugging in basic items. A receptacle analyzer is a tool with prongs similar to those of a standard plug that can be inserted into an outlet. Depending on the sophistication of the tool, it can indicate voltage or even notify you of broken or shorted circuits. However, if you do not want to purchase the device, simply testing basic plug-in items in various outlets throughout the home can reveal which outlets may not be working.
Look at the circuit breaker. Ideally, the breaker will be clearly labeled. However, even without labels, the breaker should be working properly with no tripped breakers or fuses in need of replacement.
Take a look at wiring wherever possible. Wires that are dangling or are not properly installed are dangerous and can be a sign that electrical work was done improperly at some point.
Turn on the lights. This is perhaps one of the easiest tests to do. Look for any flickering or dimming, which can be an indication of a wiring issue.

“The HomeTeam Inspection Service teams are well-trained and able to identify all visual plumbing and electrical hazards within the home,” Long explained. “However, doing these checks on your own can be a great time saver for homeowners and prospective buyers, especially if they are looking to close on the home quickly.”

Understanding how to identify and begin working to repair some of these issues ahead of an official inspection allows homeowners to be better prepared when inspectors do come, making the negotiation, inspection and final purchasing process much more efficient.