Bathroom Checkups—An Important Part of a Complete Home Inspection
For many home shoppers, a well-designed bathroom with ample space and modern embellishments is sure to attract a great deal of interest. After all, it’s one of the most frequently used rooms in a house. A recent survey found that over a lifetime, the average person spends more than two years in the bathroom. This translates into roughly 200 days in the shower and more shampoo than we care to calculate. It’s why a certified home inspector, like those at A-Pro Home Inspection, will take the necessary time to visually and operationally examine all aspects of this vital room, including countertops, flooring, walls and ceilings, toilets, tubs, shower compartments, cabinetry, vent fans and ductwork, and windows.
Don’t expect your inspector to make judgments about the outdated wallpaper or purple paint you dislike. That is beyond the scope of a home inspection. So before you become dazzled by sparkling stainless steel faucets and mosaic ceramic tiling, you’ll want to know about any problems with the bathroom that could cost you money down the road.
Here are four common ones found by A-Pro Home Inspectors:
Leaks:
Water is a home’s worst enemy, and nowhere will you find more water issues than in a bathroom. Your home inspector will check for signs of mold or mildew, report on the condition of the toilet seal, examine the tub and shower caulking, test faucets and the shower head for drips, and look at all surfaces for signs of water stains or dampness—a sign there may be leakage hidden behind walls and the ceiling. Carpeted bathrooms pose an even greater concern. The home inspector will check the carpet pad for moisture that can accumulate due to shower steam, water splashes, and a leaky toilet. Your inspector will advise you of the importance of regular cleaning of bathroom carpets to remove the presence of mold and urine.
Drainage/Water Pressure:
After running water, the home inspector will observe if the sink, toilet, and tub/shower are draining properly. Debris such as hair, dirt, paper towels, etc. can clog internal plumbing, restricting water flow. The inspector will also determine if there is adequate water pressure when fixtures are run at the same time. Severe water flow issues may be an indication of blockage in the main sewer line to the home.
Toilet Troubles:
The home inspector may report on a number of toilet problems, such as poor connection to the floor, cracks in the bowl or tank, a continuously running unit (which can damage the pump and cost homeowners’ money in high water bills), a failed flapper seal (which can cause leakage), and toilets that fill too slowly or take too long to flush.
Exhaust Fan Problems:
A Properly functioning bathroom exhaust fan is a good way to remove steam and odors, while preventing corrosion of hardware. The inspector will make sure the fan exhausts to the outside rather venting to the ceiling, attic or other room; examine the unit to determine if seals are tight and that is has been correctly installed; report on evidence of moisture or condensation associated with the fan; test the unit’s flow rate; and ensure that outside dampers are working.
Inspection of a home’s bathrooms is just one part of an A-Pro foundation-to-roof 500-point inspection. To schedule a home inspection, call 1-509-731-4992 or click here.