What is the The Impact of Weather on Home Inspections

Introduction

When buying or selling a home, a professional home inspection is strongly recommended to identify any issues with the property before closing. However, weather conditions on the day of the inspection can significantly impact the inspector’s ability to thoroughly assess the home. Here is an overview of how different weather factors affect home inspections and steps buyers and sellers can take to ensure the inspection process goes smoothly.

How Rain Affow and Ice

Rainy weather is one of the biggest impediments to a complete home inspection in Fort Worth. Heavy rain makes it difficult or impossible to thoroughly check the following areas:

A coating of snow and ice has similar limiting effects:
• Roof – Snow cover makes it impossible to check shingles, clear ice dams, assess drainage systems, and check for leak evidence in the attic. Ice buildup can also damage gutters and roofing materials.
• Exterior – Heavy snow obscures defects with siding, brick, outdoor structures, walkways, vegetation, and exterior lighting. Icy areas become unsafe to traverse.
• Access – Significant snow accumulation and piles of plowed snow can block access to certain areas of the home like side yards, electrical boxes, and A/C units.
Schedule the inspection after snow and ice have sufficiently melted to prevent these visibility issues and access limitations. The buyer can also request a second inspection in warmer months to view the areas obscured by winter weather.

Impacts of Windy Conditions

Windy conditions present another elements that home inspectors have to work around:
• Roof – High winds make it both difficult and unsafe to fully walk and traverse a roof to inspect surfaces up close for defects.
• Exterior – Siding, brick, fencing and outdoor elements can be obscured by blowing debris, fallen branches, etc.
• Utility Function – Wind may impact assessing chimney draft, HVAC performance, water drainage, and other system functions.
• Safety – There is increased fall risk with ladders, scaffolds, and lifts on windy days.
Schedule the inspection on a calm, low-wind day. If winds pick up during, have the inspector return once conditions improve to finish assessing roof and exterior components.
How High Heat Impacts Inspections

Sweltering temperatures bring other factors into play:
• Attic – Extreme heat makes attic spaces difficult to endure for thorough inspection of insulation, ventilation, wiring, and leak evidence.
• Roof – Hot roofs pose risks for inspectors traversing surfaces to check flashings, vents, equipment, etc. Softening materials like asphalt also make walking difficult and unsafe.
• HVAC – Air conditioning units and overall cooling capacity are hard to gauge on high heat days when systems are working at maximum output.
• Pests – Evidence of nests, droppings, and entry points may be obscured as insects seek cooler indoor spots out of sight on hot days.
Schedule the inspection on a cooler day to improve visibility and safety, even if it’s in the morning or later afternoon when temperatures drop. Supplemental fans can also improve attic ventilation during inspections. Learn more

Overall, homeowners should monitor weather forecasts in the days leading up to the inspection and reschedule if heavy rain, snow, ice, high winds or extreme heat are expected. Being flexible helps ensure the most thorough inspection possible. Communicate any weather-related visibility issues so the inspector can return to re-check those areas when conditions improve. A small delay is worth it for the enhanced insights and reduced liability the inspection report provides. With big investments at stake, weatherizing the inspection process is well worth the effort. Read more