Which Areas of a New Home Often Need the Most Repair?
One essential part of buying a new home is getting it inspected. A four-point inspection aims to spot any potential issues that could cause problems for you in the future. However, while this overview covers the main parts of the house, it won't discover everything. So, as a new home buyer, you must be aware of different areas that could need repair soon after you move in.
We've compiled a list of the top sections, and here's what you should expect.
Plumbing and Fixtures
Most people take their home's plumbing for granted unless there's a problem. Issues can range from clogged toilets and drains to leaky faucets to a burst water pipe. As a rule, the older the home, the more you worry about significant plumbing issues. For example, if the house is over 70 years old, it likely needs new pipes because copper, steel, and iron only last that long.
Fortunately, you can do a lot of plumbing fixes yourself, but you'll need to call a professional for big projects, like fixing pipes within the walls.
Siding and Painting
House paint only lasts up to 10 years, whether inside or outside the home. So, if it's been at least five or six years since the last paint job, you'll likely need to put on a fresh coat pretty soon. Fortunately, because paint is a relatively inexpensive upgrade, many home sellers will take care of it before listing the property.
Siding can also be a common issue because it endures the elements. High-quality materials can last 40 years, but individual slats may need repair. For example, some pieces can get detached from the wall or damaged by objects and pests.
Dents, Scratches, and Gouges
High-traffic areas of the home are prone to get damaged from wear and tear. Realistically, you'll notice minor cosmetic issues like scratches, dents, and gouges in places like the kitchen and living room. While it's easy to neglect these problems, they can worsen over time. So, you need to itemize each point of damage and figure out how to fix it. Fortunately, you can handle most cosmetic issues yourself.
Cracked Concrete
Although concrete is durable, it's prone to cracking over time. Areas like walkways, driveways, and patios often have extensive cracks. The problem is that water gets into the gap and erodes it from the inside. Also, plants and pests can create a crack in a home.
While you can ignore cracked concrete for a while, you'll need to address it within a few years, lest it leads to costly repairs and erosion issues.
Damaged Roof Shingles
As with the home's siding, roof shingles take a beating all the time. If you're looking to buy in an area with heavy storms, chances are at least a few shingles are damaged. Unfortunately, this problem can worsen quickly, so you must repair individual spots as soon as possible to avoid leaks, pests, and higher utility bills.
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