A home inspection will give you a much needed opportunity to have a professional look at a home you're interested in buying. They'll often catch things that you may otherwise miss when looking at your home yourself. Here are four problems that a home inspector can catch for you.

Moisture Problems

A home inspector can actually use a moisture meter to detect if there is moisture in the house, which may be in the attic, walls, crawl space, or the basement. They want to ensure that the home doesn't have an unusual buildup of moisture that can cause major damage down the road. For example, a basement may have hidden moisture within it due to a history of flooding, and checking for moisture can help find that problem for you. 

Mildew or Mold Damage

An inspector can perform testing for mildew or mold. If they have suspicions of mildew or mold in the home, then they can call it out and ask if you want it tested. An air quality test can be performed, or an area with the dark spot can be swabbed and tested. These tests will need to be taken to a secondary lab to confirm that it is mold. If there is a lot of hidden mold that is discovered through an air quality test, then you can decide to walk away from the home. 

Electrical and Plumbing Problems

There are plenty of electrical and plumbing lines that run under floors or behind walls, and you need a home inspector to look for potential problems. For plumbing, the inspector will try to look for leaks. This involves running water, checking exposed pipes, and identifying the signs of a leak. Electrical outlets can be tested to ensure they have the right voltage and are grounded, and the electrical system can be inspected to see if it is up to code. 

Window Issues

Windows play a big role in the energy efficiency of a home. Your inspector will let you know if the window has signs of moisture intrusion that you should be concerned about, or window frames that are deteriorating. Thankfully, windows are an easy upgrade to plan for, and you can replace the windows at a later date. 

There are many variables that go into purchasing your first home. To make sure that you feel confident in your purchase, contact home inspection services in your area.