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It never fails with every home inspection, water damage of some sort or evidence of a water leak is almost always found. Whether it’s a roof leak, water in the basement or a pipe with a small drip, there is always signs of water somewhere.
Finding a past water leak doesn’t mean there is damage or you should walk away from the deal…it just means that at some point water entered the house and left a mark. this could’ve been a one time matter that was taken care of years ago, possibly even before the current owners bought the house.
What should you do if you find evidence of water?
- Ask the sellers what they know about the leak. Almost always they are honest and straight forward with their answer.
- Look for evidence of mold, rotten wood, soft areas in the walls, and cupping on the wood floors
- If you do find evidence of damage, assess how bad it really is and what the cost would be to fix it.
What should you do if you find evidence of a current water leak?
- Find out the source of the leak and have a plumber give you an estimate of fixing the problem.
- Do not ignore the leak. This is your chance to go back to the seller and see if they are willing to fix or give you a credit to fix the problem after close.
- If the problem is minor and not worth going back to the seller about, be sure to fix the problem once you own the home. A small leak never stays small and should be addressed sooner rather than later
An agent and inspector should be able to guide you in what do it if/when you find a leak. Remember, not all leaks are cause for concern. Work with the seller to find a solution.
