Inspection report finding plumbing and fire in attic
I am a new investor and just had a property inspected today. I have two questions.
1. The plumbing scope found new plumbing in the house but outside the house was rusted cast-iron that the scope was unable to continue going through. Should this be a concern?
2. there was a noted fire in the attic with pictures. I am going to find out more from the seller. The home was apparently purchased by an investor and updated inside the remains of the fire still obvious in the attic. Should this be a concern?
thank you so much for your guidance.
April in Georgia
@April Birdsong Both are concerns. I recommend talking to a plumbing contractor for one and a building contractor for then other. Make sure that the plumbing issue is taken care of and the attic issue has been secured and is not still compromised. You do not need issues down the road because they were neglected.
Home inspections almost always bring surprises, like the plumbing and attic fire remnants you've encountered. Here’s how I see it and a possible plan of action:
Plumbing Concerns:
- The Good: New plumbing inside the house is a thumbs-up. It shows that part of the system is updated and likely to be reliable.
- The Caution: Rusted cast-iron pipes outside are a potential headache. These could lead to leaks or blockages, requiring costly repairs or replacements down the line. I have dealt with this before and I almost always end up ripping them out and replacing.
Action Steps:
1. Get a Plumber: Have a professional plumber assess the condition of those outdoor pipes. They can provide a clearer picture of what you're dealing with and potential costs.
2. Seek Multiple Quotes: Don't settle for the first estimate. Get a few different professionals to take a look so you can compare advice and costs.
Attic Fire Aftermath:
- Visible Damage: Seeing the aftermath of a fire in the attic is a red flag. It's essential to understand the extent of the damage and the quality of the repairs.
- Structural Integrity: The main concern is whether the fire compromised the house's structure and whether repairs were cosmetic or structural.
Action Steps:
1. Consult a Specialist: A structural engineer or a contractor experienced in fire restoration can assess the damage and the quality of the repairs.
2. Detailed Inspection Report: Ensure you get a comprehensive report that outlines what needs to be fixed, if anything.
Gathering More Information:
- Talk to the Seller: Understanding the history of the repairs and any challenges they faced can provide valuable context.
- Review Historical Permits: Check with local building authorities to see if the previous owner obtained the necessary permits for the repairs. This can also indicate the work's legality and thoroughness. VERY IMPORTANT STEP!!!
- Community Insights: Sometimes, neighbors or local real estate professionals can offer background information about the property's history and any significant incidents. Before I buy any property I always door know the neighbors and see what they can tell me about the properties history. You will be amazed at what you can learn.
This may look and feel like an impossible list, but it is not. Start working through the items one at a time and you will see it is not really that hard or impossible. This is the type of work that sets the pros apart from the novices. Due diligence is so incredibly important. You make your money when you buy, end of story.
Best of luck!
Quote from @Jonathan Pflueger:Thank you so much for the detailed response.
Home inspections almost always bring surprises, like the plumbing and attic fire remnants you've encountered. Here’s how I see it and a possible plan of action:
Plumbing Concerns:
- The Good: New plumbing inside the house is a thumbs-up. It shows that part of the system is updated and likely to be reliable.
- The Caution: Rusted cast-iron pipes outside are a potential headache. These could lead to leaks or blockages, requiring costly repairs or replacements down the line. I have dealt with this before and I almost always end up ripping them out and replacing.
Action Steps:
1. Get a Plumber: Have a professional plumber assess the condition of those outdoor pipes. They can provide a clearer picture of what you're dealing with and potential costs.
2. Seek Multiple Quotes: Don't settle for the first estimate. Get a few different professionals to take a look so you can compare advice and costs.
Attic Fire Aftermath:
- Visible Damage: Seeing the aftermath of a fire in the attic is a red flag. It's essential to understand the extent of the damage and the quality of the repairs.
- Structural Integrity: The main concern is whether the fire compromised the house's structure and whether repairs were cosmetic or structural.
Action Steps:
1. Consult a Specialist: A structural engineer or a contractor experienced in fire restoration can assess the damage and the quality of the repairs.
2. Detailed Inspection Report: Ensure you get a comprehensive report that outlines what needs to be fixed, if anything.
Gathering More Information:
- Talk to the Seller: Understanding the history of the repairs and any challenges they faced can provide valuable context.
- Review Historical Permits: Check with local building authorities to see if the previous owner obtained the necessary permits for the repairs. This can also indicate the work's legality and thoroughness. VERY IMPORTANT STEP!!!
- Community Insights: Sometimes, neighbors or local real estate professionals can offer background information about the property's history and any significant incidents. Before I buy any property I always door know the neighbors and see what they can tell me about the properties history. You will be amazed at what you can learn.
This may look and feel like an impossible list, but it is not. Start working through the items one at a time and you will see it is not really that hard or impossible. This is the type of work that sets the pros apart from the novices. Due diligence is so incredibly important. You make your money when you buy, end of story.
Best of luck!
Quote from @Jonathan Pflueger:This was some great advice from Jonathan. One thing I might disagree with is that I would think the plumbing issue is a greater risk than the fire issue. Rusted cast iron pipes outside are grounds for roots and other things to penetrate the pipe and cause a blockage. Having water and sewage back up into your house is going to be a costly repair. It is definitely something to get fixed.
Home inspections almost always bring surprises, like the plumbing and attic fire remnants you've encountered. Here’s how I see it and a possible plan of action:
Plumbing Concerns:
- The Good: New plumbing inside the house is a thumbs-up. It shows that part of the system is updated and likely to be reliable.
- The Caution: Rusted cast-iron pipes outside are a potential headache. These could lead to leaks or blockages, requiring costly repairs or replacements down the line. I have dealt with this before and I almost always end up ripping them out and replacing.
Action Steps:
1. Get a Plumber: Have a professional plumber assess the condition of those outdoor pipes. They can provide a clearer picture of what you're dealing with and potential costs.
2. Seek Multiple Quotes: Don't settle for the first estimate. Get a few different professionals to take a look so you can compare advice and costs.
Attic Fire Aftermath:
- Visible Damage: Seeing the aftermath of a fire in the attic is a red flag. It's essential to understand the extent of the damage and the quality of the repairs.
- Structural Integrity: The main concern is whether the fire compromised the house's structure and whether repairs were cosmetic or structural.
Action Steps:
1. Consult a Specialist: A structural engineer or a contractor experienced in fire restoration can assess the damage and the quality of the repairs.
2. Detailed Inspection Report: Ensure you get a comprehensive report that outlines what needs to be fixed, if anything.
Gathering More Information:
- Talk to the Seller: Understanding the history of the repairs and any challenges they faced can provide valuable context.
- Review Historical Permits: Check with local building authorities to see if the previous owner obtained the necessary permits for the repairs. This can also indicate the work's legality and thoroughness. VERY IMPORTANT STEP!!!
- Community Insights: Sometimes, neighbors or local real estate professionals can offer background information about the property's history and any significant incidents. Before I buy any property I always door know the neighbors and see what they can tell me about the properties history. You will be amazed at what you can learn.
This may look and feel like an impossible list, but it is not. Start working through the items one at a time and you will see it is not really that hard or impossible. This is the type of work that sets the pros apart from the novices. Due diligence is so incredibly important. You make your money when you buy, end of story.
Best of luck!
As for fire damage. I currently have a place that has charred beams in the attic. Not an issue at all. Most likely you'll never have an issue unless the company/person doing the repairs after the fire cut corners. If a fire restoration company came out to inspect after the fire they would have deemed whether the structure was safe or not for repairs and to continue living in.
Always good to do your own due diligence, but I personally think the plumbing and potential water issues pose a higher risk.
