Springtime in Canada is the perfect time to buy a new home. Carefully inspecting the electrical infrastructure within your prospective dream home can save you time and money. However, failing to do so may turn your dream home purchase into a nightmare. Here’s some information on pre-purchase home inspections and electrical.
Professional home inspections: Uncovering issues with a home’s electrical infrastructure
A professional home inspection can help protect your family and ensure you’re making the most informed decision before you purchase a home. Issues with a home’s electrical infrastructure can potentially cause fires or seriously injure the home’s inhabitants. Even more concerning, poor electrical work could void your home insurance should you fail to address ongoing issues with your home’s electrical infrastructure. A home inspection spots problematic electrical issues that may be overlooked by homebuyers.
A trained home inspector will take a proper look at a home’s interior and exterior electrical systems. They’ll determine if a home’s electrical panels, light switches and HVAC systems are in good working order. The home inspector will let you know if the electrical systems meet current safety standards or require extensive repairs.
Further, home inspectors will consider whether the home has an appropriate number of outlets in each room. They’ll examine light fixtures and take a closer look at a home’s circuit breaker box and the wire gauge. Inspectors can also measure outlets with specialized tools to ensure proper voltage and grounding throughout the home. Additionally, home inspectors can determine if the home has proper placement and installation of both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Common electrical faults that our AmeriSpec home inspectors find include:
- Reversed polarity. Found in the home’s electrical infrastructure that could potentially cause damage to devices or appliances.
- DIY (Do-It-Yourself) wiring. DIY wiring of outlets and switches completed by the previous homeowner.
- Older and ungrounded outlets. Usually found in older homes. These outlets have three-prongs, but are not grounded, and could pose a safety hazard when three-pronged cords are plugged in.
- Worn or exposed wiring and splicing. Wiring and splicing that isn’t properly fitted in a covered junction box.
- Circuit breakers with two wires. Breakers are designed for one wire, and if they are double-tapped, this could potentially cause fires.
- Incorrect covers on outdoor outlets. These ‘wet locations’ are vulnerable to weather. Outdoor outlets require weather resistant receptacles that can prevent rain or snow from harming the home’s electrical infrastructure.
So, don’t take any chances when it comes to all things electrical in homes. Pre-purchase home inspections can spare homebuyers costly electrical repairs. Ensure the safety of you and your family, and make an informed decision when buying your next home.
Visit the home inspection experts at AmeriSpec of Canada for more tips and valuable home improvement information.
