Best home inspectors near Riverview, FL

Some of the biggest red flags to look out for after a home inspection include signs of water or moisture damage, missing or damaged shingles, structural problems like bowing roof joists, cracks in the foundation, and signs of pest damage.

It can be safe to buy or live in a house with knob and tube (K&T) wiring, but only if the system is in good condition, functional, and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by a licensed electrician. Never purchase a home with K&T wiring without getting a professional electrical inspection first.

Key considerations include:

• Safety and Condition: An inspector will verify that the wiring is safe and has not deteriorated. Over time, the insulation can wear away, leaving exposed wires that pose a significant fire or shock hazard.

• System Capacity: The electrical service should be at least 60 amps. However, even at this capacity, K&T systems often struggle to handle the demands of modern appliances and electronics.

• Lack of Grounding: Knob and tube wiring is an ungrounded system, which is a safety concern for many modern devices.

• Ongoing Maintenance: If you live in a home with K&T wiring, it's recommended to have it inspected by an electrician every one to two years to ensure it remains in safe working order.

Ultimately, any inspection or modification of a knob and tube system should always be performed by a certified professional.

Home inspectors may look briefly at your roof, but certified roof experts will be more thorough. Hiring a roof inspector can give you a better sense of any underlying concerns as well as longevity. That said, a roof inspector won’t look at the rest of your home. The inspection may or may not include the attic, where problems can be hidden if they aren’t already visible on the surface of your roof. It’s important to clarify exactly what you’re getting with your inspector so there are no surprises.

Closing out an open building permit requires that you have your professional schedule a final inspection of the work they completed. In some cases, like a roof replacement or solar installation, a building inspector from your local municipality may just carry out a drive-by inspection. In other cases, like new construction or a change to interior plumbing or electrical work, the inspector might need to gain access to your home to confirm that the work was done in accordance with the local building code.