6 Inspection Tips for Home Improvement

If you’re starting a renovation project, you’ll love our 6 inspection tips for home improvement. Identifying potential issues when remodeling your home helps avoid unexpected delays and obstacles. 

Performing pre-project inspections allows you to catch hidden problems. Divinity Inspection Service will share our top inspection tips for your next home improvement project. With our help, you can plan accordingly and prevent unwanted surprises. 

Divinity’s Top 6 Inspection Tips for Home Improvement

Depending on the home improvement project, there are some issues you should look for before starting. 

Here are key Inspection Tips for Home Improvement based on several project types: 

Kitchen Remodeling

• Water Damage:

Check for water leaks or damage before your kitchen remodel. The most common areas are under sinks, dishwashers, and behind refrigerators. Leaks may appear as stains and discoloration on kitchen surfaces. 

Too much moisture can lead to mold or mildew on walls, which can cause more damage. Checking for these signs can prevent a costly remodel and extensive pre-project repairs.  

• Check Electrical Outlets: 

Home inspectors typically look for unsafe or outdated electrical outlets. If you see damage or they’re obsolete, have a professional replace them. For example, look for cracks, burn marks, or loose connections. 

Inspectors consider two-prong outlets outdated. In addition, they can lead to safety risks. Have the outlets replaced if they are two-prong or unsafe before the remodel begins.

• Inspect for Stove Ventilation: 

Stove or kitchen ventilation is crucial. Without it, your health, air quality, and safety may be at risk. Proper ventilation will reduce steam and smoke and prevent fires. A functioning stove exhaust fan prevents fire hazards. 

Home inspectors look for exhaust fans above the stove, under the microwave, or on the wall above the stove. The fan must ventilate air outdoors. 

• Be Careful about Removing Load-Bearing Walls: 

If you plan to remove a wall, it may be load-bearing. This means the wall is necessary for structural support. Removing that wall can be a serious problem. Consult an expert before demolishing any walls in your kitchen.   

Bathroom Upgrades 

• Leaks and Mold: 

Leaks and mold are common bathroom issues. Mold may be in your tub or shower, the tile grout, and near sinks and toilets. Leaks may also occur through damaged pipes. Mold, mildew, and leaks can produce soft or warped flooring near tubs and toilets. 

Mold often appears fuzzy with a raised texture, ranging from green to black or brown. Mildew will look grayish-white or light brown and flat and powdery. 

Leaks and fungus may occur due to a missing or faulty shut-off valve. These valves are commonly found under bathroom sinks or near cabinets. If you find a water leak or mold, fix these issues immediately.  

• Old Plumbing: 

Check your bathroom for outdated plumbing. For example, you may see corroded, rusted, and discolored water. This can also cause leaks, mold, and mildew.

• Poor Ventilation:

Home inspectors recommend proper bathroom ventilation. This will prevent moisture buildup, mold, and mildew buildup. 

Signs of poor ventilation include the following: 

• Foggy mirrors 
• Peeling paint
• Musty smells and foul odors
• Condensation buildup  

Check for proper ventilation before your project, as it can lead to costly surprises. 

Room Additions  

• Ground Slope and Drainage: 

Ensure the ground slopes down and away from the building site for room additions. This prevents stormwater flooding, protecting your home’s exterior foundation. Slope permeable surfaces away from the house. Aim for at least 0.5 inches per foot over 10 feet.

• Cracked Foundation or Settlement: 

Look for cracked foundation or settlement issues while planning your project. These problems compromise your home’s structural integrity, leading to potential safety hazards.

• Electrical Panel Space and Load Capacity: 

Inspect your electrical panel and load capacity. This helps you determine whether your upgrades can handle extra wiring. A packed electrical panel can overload new circuits.

If you see short circuits often, lights flicker, or outlets fail, it might be time to upgrade your panel.  

• Local Permit or Zoning Restrictions:

Check with your local city or town to see if your project needs permits or has zoning rules. Otherwise, you may be subject to fines or demolition of the unauthorized structure.

 Roof Replacement  

• Water stains or Mold in the Attic: 

If you see water stains or mold in your attic, this is a sign of a roof leak. Leaks can harm its structure, significantly damaging the roof decking. 

• Deck Rot or Sagging Rafters: 

If your roof appears to be sagging, cracking, or crumbling, it indicates a weak roof deck or rafters. 

• Poor Ventilation or Blocked Vents: 

Poor ventilation and blocked vents can result in serious roof concerns. They can cause heat buildup, mold or mildew, and cracked or curling shingles. It’s vital to address these problems before replacing the roof.

Poor ventilation and blocked vents may also lead to the following:

• Moisture buildup
• Condensation
• Heat accumulation
• Roof damage
• Reduced insulation effectiveness

• Cracked or Warped Flashing:

Cracked or warped flashing around chimneys and skylights is another problem. It means that water can infiltrate your roof, causing it to deteriorate.

If you see any of these issues, contact a professional for repairs. Home inspections will provide a report detailing all your roof’s problem areas.

 Exterior Painting or Siding  

• Mildew or Water Damage:

Inspect your home’s exterior for mildew or water damage. Signs include peeling paint, warped siding, and rotting wood. You may also see discoloration or bubbling. Target these concerns as soon as possible before painting or changing the siding. 

• Termite or Insects:

Termites and insects are serious concerns on your home’s exterior. Neglecting them can lead to more headaches. Specifically, they will weaken your home’s siding and cause structural failures.

Here’s what you should look for when checking your exterior:

• Damaged wood
• Clicking sounds
• Holes in the siding
• Discarded wings
• Seeing swarmers emerge from the building’s foundation
• Mud shelter tubes up and down the foundation

• Lead-based Paint: 

Homes built before 1978 most likely contain lead-based paint. Research your home’s history to find out whether this is the case. You can hire a certified lead-based paint inspector. They can use the proper tools to test your home’s paint. 

Disturbing the paint for renovation can lead to serious health effects, such as:

• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Joint pain
• Reproductive and kidney issues
• High blood pressure     

  Flooring Projects  

• Concrete Slabs or Subfloors Moisture: 

Moisture intrusion on concrete slabs or subfloors can significantly damage your flooring. 

The following indicate moisture buildup on your floor: 

• Condensation
• Warping
• Cupping
• Discoloration
• Loose tiles
• Peeling or bubbling

• Uneven or Squeaky Flooring:

Uneven or squeaky floors can signal problems. You might have issues with insulation, structural integrity, or weakened floor joists.

• Unleveled Thresholds: 

Unleveled thresholds can be hazardous. Resolving the problem prevents falls and water entry.  

Checking your floor for these signs helps you to have a stress-free floor project.

Contact Divinity Inspection Service for a Home Inspection 

Divinity’s home inspection tips make home renovation easier and less stressful. Hire professional home inspectors for pre- and post-project inspections. This helps catch issues before and after renovations.

A licensed inspector can assist with the following:

• Confirm the work meets local building codes   
• Identify potential safety hazards 
• Spot construction mistakes or shortcuts your contractor overlooked  

These small investments can give you peace of mind and protect you from liability or insurance issues. 

Hire Divinity Inspection Services for your project inspection. We are highly experienced and certified experts who perform thorough home inspections. Our professionals will inform you of all issues so you can address them immediately.

Contact us today to schedule a home inspection or for an estimate!