Get matched with top home inspectors in Pine Level, NC

You’ll have to look around the house to find different sources of a hidden leak. Check for water under the sinks in the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility rooms. Look at your bathtubs, showers, and toilets, including inside the toilet tanks. Puddles can form around your water heater, so take a good look around it. Inspect appliances like your washer, dishwasher, and refrigerator as well. Look for stains on the walls and ceilings, and listen for drips and running water.

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.

The unseen issues with a home are often the ones that turn out to be the most stressful. While inspections aren’t a legal requirement, they can highlight significant issues, such as damaged foundations, excessive mold, leaky basements, or problematic plumbing. These can cost thousands of dollars to repair, and the work can be invasive.

Knowing these things that fail a home inspection in advance allows you to decide if you want to proceed with the purchase. The seller may even cut back the sale price to help cover any renovation expenses or take care of them before closing.

An inspection can take up to an hour, depending on the type of AC system you have. If you need to add more refrigerant, expect an extra 30 to 45 minutes.