How the Rain and Heat can effect your Home Inspection

Weather can and does effect your home inspection. However, sometimes the weather, such as rain and heat, could help your home inspection! As we enter into the rainy season in the Tampa area we can celebrate for the much-needed rain! Not just for the dry areas and the brush fires we’ve been battling, but also for our lakes and swamp land. Here’s how the heat and rain can help better your home inspection.

Rain, Rain Don’t Go Away

Heavy rain can show you issues in your home that would otherwise be difficult to detect. Leaks in the roof, clogged gutters, drainage issues, and flooding are all affected by rain. In fact, we recommend that if you have an opportunity to check out a home you are considering purchasing while it is raining then do so. Drive around the neighborhood as well to check for potential flooding hazards.

One delay you don’t have to worry about is your home inspection. We inspect in the rain and complete the inspection as normal. If you’re worried about scheduling a home inspection during a week that expects bad weather, don’t worry about it! Give us a call anyways.

Home inspections are necessary for evaluating a property’s condition. Weather conditions, like rain and heat, can drastically affect an inspection’s outcome. For example, rain can expose preexisting leaks and drainage issues. Similarly, heat can highlight roof structural damage and poor HVAC system performance. 

Understanding how the weather impacts inspections is beneficial. It allows you to address problems early on. Our Divinity Inspection Service experts will explore how rain and heat affect your home inspection. Expanding your knowledge will help you make the best decisions for your home. 

How Does Rain Affect Home Inspections?

Performing a home inspection in the rain can emphasize the following issues:

Roof and Gutter Issues

Inspectors assess roofs, gutters, and downspouts during assessments. They check the gutter function to ensure they effectively channel water away from the home. In return, this prevents your roof from water damage.

Rain can be beneficial during home inspections, revealing water leaks and damage sources. Discovering these issues allows homeowners to fix them before damage becomes extensive.  

Foundation Damage

Faulty gutters can lead to foundation damage. Rainfall helps inspectors find water leaks in foundations due to poor drainage systems. Rain can also emphasize construction errors, like improper ground slope or gutter installation.

Inspectors look for signs of water damage in the foundation:

• Water stains
• Peeling paint
• Foundation cracks
• Dampness 
• Pooling water
• Mold and mildew

Mold and Mildew Growth

Moisture exposure from rain can lead to mold and mildew growth. Inspectors focus on areas prone to dampness and mold, such as attics. The rain allows them to identify early signs of mold that the homeowner missed. Immediate detection is essential to maintain indoor air quality and prevent health issues. 

What the Heat can do for you

The heat can effect certain areas of the home more than others and be a tell-tale sign to serious issues. Improper insulation in the attic can cause your attic to overheat and your A/C to overwork. Improper insulation within the house means high electric bills.

Extreme high heat can be dangerous for home inspectors. When the roof get very hot it can make inspecting the roof difficult. Small spaces like the attic and crawl spaces can be very difficult for a home inspector to inspect during very high temperatures. That doesn’t mean we can’t get the job done so make sure to give us a call!

The Impact of Heat on Home Inspections

The heat can affect your home inspection in the following ways:

Compromise Roof Integrity

Like rain, heat can also highlight roof deterioration. Heat can compromise the roof’s ability to protect the home from the elements. Namely, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause roofing shingles to crack or curl. Inspectors can quickly identify heat damage and provide a more detailed inspection report. 

Poor HVAC System Performance

Inspectors evaluate HVAC system function during home inspections. High temperatures test the performance and efficiency of a home’s cooling system. For instance, inspectors can locate leaky ductwork, poor cooling efficiency, and airflow problems. 

An HVAC inspection in hot weather conditions will bring attention to hidden issues. Then, homeowners can hire a professional to fix the problems before they worsen. 

Damage to Structural Components

Inspectors check your home’s structural components, like the walls, doors, and framing. In the heat, the building materials expand and contract. As a result, it can lead to warped doors or windows. A trained expert will check these structures for heat damage during their walkthrough.

What Are the Best Practices for Home Inspections in Varying Weather Conditions?

Here are some practices inspectors follow for inspection in different weather conditions: 

Preparation

Scheduling assessments in different weather conditions can enhance their effectiveness. Inspectors bring the appropriate gear for inspections. For example, they may use raincoats or eye protection to handle specific weather challenges. 

Safety Measures

Safety is paramount during home inspections. Along with preparation, inspectors prioritize their safety. They avoid accessing roofs during storms or extreme heat to prevent accidents. Postponing an inspection due to unsafe weather protects the inspector and the property.

Contact Divinity Inspection Service for Your Next Home Inspection!

Knowing how the rain and heat affect your home inspection is essential. It can help inspectors identify issues in your home. Then, you can hire appropriate professionals to address problems before they become costly. 

With Divinity Inspection Service, you can make informed decisions for your home. We perform all inspections at the highest level. Along with years of field experience, all our inspectors receive rigorous training. Divinity’s 29 certifications mean you will have a thorough and detailed home inspection. 

Contact us today to make an appointment with an inspection expert!

Originally Published: May 4, 2017