Home Inspectors Won't Ignore These Three Maintenance Mistakes

You might think that a minor issue with your home can simply be covered up, but a home inspector probably won't feel the same way. Rather than try to hide a problem, you would be better off simply taking care of it before you get called out. Keep reading to learn about three of the most common "minor" issues that home inspectors often catch home owners trying to ignore or cover up.

#1: Cracks in the foundation

Although that tiny crack might not seem like a big deal, it could represent a source of unwanted water entering the home. Plus, cracks that aren't taken care of will grow in size over time. In general, any crack large enough to fit a dime in should be fixed ASAP. Luckily, you can repair most cracks yourself by injecting a sealant into the gap; for larger or recurring breaks, consult a professional.

#2: Painting over moisture

This particular no-no often happens in the bathroom, where water damage to a wall or ceiling might seem minor enough to simply cover up with a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, doing so does not address the issue that caused the damage in the first place and can further trap excess moisture inside the wall. If you can't fix the source of the water yourself, then hire a professional to take care of the issue. Only once the leak is resolved and the wall is completely dry should you paint over it. New paint might do wonders for the look of a house, but a trained home inspector won't be fooled that easily.

#3: Poorly installed weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is an excellent way to seal up gaps in doors and windows that might be a source of drafts and energy inefficiency, but only if it is installed properly. Home inspectors often find that home owners have simply place new weatherstripping on top of old material or have placed it in a way that fails to seal a gap. Click here to read an excellent guide on installing this simple solution to drafts.

Although it's a bad idea to try to hide any problems from a home inspector, these are three of the ones that most often get discovered during an inspection. You can learn about more of these common issues by reading this article from Apartment Therapy.