You know, as a responsible homeowner, there are some inspections that you should do regularly and others that are less of a priority. These inspections are crucial to keeping your home safe, energy-efficient, and up-to-date. Failing to complete these inspections can lead to costly repairs and even risk your family’s safety. However, it’s essential to understand that there are several home inspections you must pay attention to, so let’s go over some that can’t be left undone.
1. Fire Safety Inspections
One of the most important services to keep up with is inspecting your fire protection systems. Fire protection systems must undergo regular visual inspections and functional tests under the NFPA25 Code. The primary purpose is to make sure that these are up-to-date and working correctly according to their design.
These tests are supposed to be completed monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, and every five and ten years. The fire protection systems included in these inspections include fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Because of the significance and complexity of the systems, it’s important to schedule these checks regularly and ensure they are done by a qualified professional.
2. Inspecting Heating and Cooling Systems
Another critical inspection to keep up with is the one that involves the assessment of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Did you know that air conditioners use about 6% of all the electricity produced in the United States? Unfortunately, it doesn’t come at a low price either, with an annual cost of about $29 billion.
To keep your HVAC system running efficiently, it must be inspected and maintained regularly. This includes cleaning or replacing filters, checking refrigerant levels, and ensuring all components are working properly.
In addition to providing you with greater energy efficiency, the regular maintenance of your HVAC systems helps prevent dangerous accidents like a furnace catching fire or leaking carbon monoxide without you knowing.
3. Foundation Inspections
You shouldn’t forget to put the evaluation of your home’s structural integrity on your list of routine inspections, either. According to Comfy Living, 80% of homes that are 20 years old or older require home renovations.
Over time, your home’s foundation is likely to sink or shift, and it might be weaker than when you first moved in or when the property was first built. Instead of risking having major structural problems after you invest in your renovation, have a structural engineer look at what the current condition is. If minor repairs are required, it’s best to take care of them immediately.
It’s crucial to have a professional inspect your home’s foundation, framing, and roofing because they are properly trained in what to look for. In addition, they will give you a report of their findings so you can determine the best course of action for your situation.
4. Evaluating Plumbing Systems
Your home’s plumbing system is another feature of your property that you want to have looked at by a qualified professional too. They will come and make sure you’re getting acceptable energy efficiency and that there are no leaks that are causing water damage or other related issues.
The contractor will come in and check your water heater to ensure that all fixtures are in optimal working order. A professional plumber should be able to identify any potential issues and recommend repairs or upgrades on the spot. You can avoid costly fixes and replacements by handling the situation right away.
It’s vital that you keep up with these common home inspections. Inspecting fire protection systems, HVAC systems, your home’s structural integrity, and the plumbing system are simply services you can’t and don’t want to neglect. The assessments are crucial to keeping your home safe, efficient, and modernized. Avoiding having these projects completed regularly could lead to costly repair bills and even put your family’s safety at risk. So be proactive and schedule any of these that haven’t been completed recently and keep your home in top condition.
