Life happens. Moving doesn’t happen only during warm, sunny weather. Winter months in Lincoln are colder and can present some obvious challenges to the home-buying process. These include ice, snow, freezing temperatures, etc. Winter home inspections can present different challenges than summer inspections. Here are some of the changes you can expect.
Every year, we can expect to see snow and ice blanketing the Lincoln. You may not be able see everything when buying a house in winter. Winter weather can limit a home inspection in a few places.
Roof
A snow-covered roof may make it impossible to inspect the shingles. We can inspect the attic for any visible problems and may be able inspect the structural integrity with the added weight of snow. We will return to inspect the roof coverings at no charge once the snow has melted.
Air Conditioning Unit
In the winter, an AC unit might not be able be inspected due to ambient temperatures outside below 10degc. This colder temperature can cause the oil viscosity and A/C compressor to be damaged. We will assess if the AC unit can be safely inspected and give you details about our findings.
Drainage
In the winter, it may be impossible to perform a drainage inspection because of snow covering downspouts. It is suggested that you observe the downspouts, gutters and drains during the next rainfall/melt to make sure the water is being directed away from your house as intended. Contact our team immediately if you notice any signs that water is not draining away from your house.
Yard Perimeter
During winter, it may be impossible to inspect certain areas around the house and yard. Sprinkler systems, wells covered in snow or ice, driveways and perimeter drains are all possible areas. We will check the lower level basement windows and frames to ensure they are free of debris and excessive moisture. For proper drainage, it is important to keep the driveway and perimeter drains free of debris, ice and snow.
What can be inspected?
We list some areas that may require careful inspection during the inspection. However, most of the inspection is completed in the winter.
Even some defects, such as “ice-damming”, will only be revealed during freezing temperatures. Extreme weather conditions can lead to cracks and leaks on pipes in the summer. You can save your home and yourself from an emergency in spring by detecting these cracks that slowly leak during the winter.
We carefully examine insulation and drafts during each inspection. Some of these problems may be hard to detect during the summer. A drastic temperature difference between indoors and outdoors can reveal insulation or draft issues in the winter.
Real estate transactions may slow down in the winter months, but homes are still bought and sold in snowy weather every day. A home inspection should be completed before buying a home, rain or shine…or snow. A qualified home inspector will be able to perform a complete inspection any time of year with a thorough report of all findings. He or she may even be able to review a few aspects which were not available in warmer months and avoid issues when temperatures rise.
Okanagan Valley Home Inspectors
Are you thinking about buying a house this winter? Contact our team today to learn more about your winter home inspection.
Our expert team is committed to providing clients with the best quality Home Inspection in Lincoln.
We provide a detailed report on the condition of your home using the latest digital and thermal imaging technologies. You can view the report electronically or print it.
