New homes need inspections as much or more than older homes. A home inspection can identify and document many deficiencies commonly found in new homes before damage occurs. These deficiencies can then be addressed prior to closing before the builder is focused on his next project.

 

Common New Home Deficiencies

• Missing or ineffective caulk barriers for moisture infiltration around windows and doors in brick veneer walls. Brick ledges beneath windows are designed to slope away from the structure. Many times they are flat or sloped toward the home causing the reliance on the caulk barriers to prevent the infiltration of moisture that could promote damage or mold growth in the future.
   

• Missing or ineffective flashing over windows and doors in framed walls as well as at roof details and roof penetrations. Again, to prevent the infiltration of damage causing moisture.
   

• Missing door gaskets and weather-stripping between heated and unheated spaces.  
   

• Over-loaded electrical circuits.
   

• Electrical branch circuit breakers that are inappropriately sized to protect cables they feed.
   

• Missing Ground Fault Interrupt protection at high risk locations.
   

• Damaged windows and window mechanisms.
   

• Waste plumbing fixture connections left incomplete empyting into the crawlspaces.
   

• Blocked clothes washer drains causing waste water back-ups the first time the washer empties
   

• Plumbing fixtures with reversed hot and cold supply plumbing.
   

• Heating and Air Conditioning equipment not functioning properly.
   

• Clearance issues between fireplace flues, appliance exhausts and combustible materials.