Interior material defects in a home can indicate serious underlying issues. Small issues now can lead to large problems later. Hillsborough County home inspections from Beryl Project Engineering can detect small issues that point to larger underlying problems. Here are some of the most common.

Interior Surface Issues

Your Beryl’s Certified Master Inspector will pay close attention to the condition of the walls, ceilings and floors in your Florida home. Unobtrusive signs can indicate the beginnings of larger problems that will cost much more to repair later. Some of the most common signs are:

Cracks – the size and location of cracks can often indicate if they are the result of humidity changes, water infiltration or foundation settling. Cracks will often cause the inspector to look for other signs that can point to the same underlying problem.

Stains – brown or yellowish splotched stains usually mean a water infiltration problem. Darker colored stains mean this problem has existed for some time and microbials have developed.

Unlevel Floors – wavy or uneven floors in different rooms typically indicate the house has settled over time. This could be from soil erosion or foundation issues.

Steps and Handrails

Stairs in your Tampa area home are required to be constructed to specific standards for safety, accessibility and ease of use. Steps that are too short, narrow, steep or shallow are unsafe and do not meet standard building codes. Handrails are also to be installed at a precise height. This can be a real problem with historic homes that were built long ago when few construction standards existed.

Stairs bear a great deal of weight over time and can wear unevenly. Handrails can become loose and unsafe. Carpet can become loose or stair edges can become worn and pose significant tripping hazards. Many accidents in the home occur on stairwells.

Cabinets and Countertops

Properly installed cabinets and countertops will stand the test of time. Hillsborough County home inspections often detect poor installation or material defects in kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Some of these include:

  • Anchor problems – cabinets are intended to store heavy items over time. Poorly anchored cabinets or those with no anchors can come loose and cause injury.
  • Wear over time can damage countertop materials and leave sharp edges that can potentially cause injury. Cracked or broken tile or laminate can also allow moisture intrusion to cause even further damage over time.
  • Water damage – this is very common around sinks, drains and garbage disposals. Water leaks can spread to other cabinets and weaken materials.

Hillsborough County Home Inspections from Beryl

Your inspection report from a Beryl Project Engineering home inspection professional will point out these issues. You can discuss the problems with your inspector and gain more insight if they indicate a larger underlying problem that needs repair. Call Beryl Project Engineering at 813-616-3301 or send an online message to schedule Hillsborough County home inspections before buying or selling a home.