--- title: "Avoiding Home Inspection Problems: Tips on What To Look For" description: Understand potential issues that may lead to an unwelcome home inspection result. Learn about the common issues that lead to a failed home inspection and how to address them - read this article to find out! image: https://pdxdirectrealty.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image_154-3.png --- [Skip to content](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for#main-content) [![PDX Direct Realty](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20logo%20-%20no%20background-2.png?width=150&height=147&name=Black%20logo%20-%20no%20background-2.png)](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/) - Services Show submenu for Services - [Listing Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/listing-services) - [Buyer Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/buyer-services) - [Additional Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/additional-services) - [About Us](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/about-us) - [Customer Portal](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/customer-portal) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Services Show submenu for Services - [Listing Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/listing-services) - [Buyer Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/buyer-services) - [Additional Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/additional-services) - [About Us](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/about-us) - [Customer Portal](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/customer-portal) - [Contact Us](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/contact-us) [Contact Us](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/contact-us) [All posts](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/all) December 22, 2023 # Things That Fail a Home Inspection: What to Look Out For By  PDX Direct  ·  2 minute read Understand potential issues that may lead to an unwelcome home inspection result. Learn about the common issues that lead to a failed home inspection and how to address them - read this article to find out! ## What Can Fail Home Inspections and How to Avoid Thorough Scrutiny? Having a home inspected for sale or investment is an essential part of home buying. Home inspections are meant to identify any structural or safety issues present in the home, so that potential buyers can have an informed opinion about what they are purchasing. Home inspectors will look at a variety of components to asses a home's condition. Unfortunately, a number of potential issues can fail a home inspection. Knowing what to look out for can help you avoid troublesome and costly surprises down the line. ## Electrical System Electrical wiring is one of the most commonly noted items in a home inspection. While electric systems are made to last, outdated systems can pose potential issues. When a home was built more than 40 years ago, it may require a complete rewiring in order for the system to be up to current safety standards. Additionally, wiring issues such as frayed strands or exposed wires could cause a home inspection to fail. To avoid problems, hire an electrician to inspect and, if necessary, replace any outdated wiring. ## HVAC System The home heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) are an essential part of a home. As such, problems with an HVAC system can cause a home inspection to fail. It's important to have a qualified technician inspect the HVAC before listing the home. If the system is unreliable or inefficient, a buyer may try to renegotiate the price to account for the cost of replacing the HVAC. ## Structural Issues Inspectors will look for several structural issues during a home inspection. These can range from faulty foundations or support beams to poor construction. In general, structural integrity is an important factor and any issues present can cause a home inspection to fail. Homeowners should inspect the foundation and interior/exterior walls of the home regularly for signs of structural damage. If an issue is found, contact a qualified professional to assess and repair it. ## Plumbing and Water Damage The plumbing and drainage system are vital components of a home. Inspectors will look for any signs of damage or defects in the system. Leaks, blocked drains, and pipe corrosion can cause a home inspection to fail. Homeowners should invest in regular plumbing maintenance and repairs to ensure the system is running smoothly and efficiently. Furthermore, if water damage is present it needs to be addressed quickly and efficiently to avoid more costly issues down the line. ## Conclusion Maintaining a home is essential for a successful home inspection. Regular maintenance, repairs, and inspections should be sought after to ensure no potential issues arise. Doing so will help you avoid thorough scrutiny and potential failure during a home inspection. ## More Articles to Consider Reading [Home Inspections: Key Aspects Checked](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/home-inspections-key-aspects-checked) [Electrical Inspection: A Crucial Step in Homebuying](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/electrical-inspection-a-crucial-step-in-homebuying) [Foundation Inspection: A Key Aspect of Home Evaluation](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/foundation-inspection-a-key-aspect-of-home-evaluation) [How to Find a Home Inspector: Tips and Tricks](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/how-to-find-a-home-inspector-tips-and-tricks) [Chimney Inspection: A Vital Step in Home Maintenance](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/chimney-inspection-a-vital-step-in-home-maintenance) [Plumbing Inspection: Ensuring Your Home's Water Systems](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/plumbing-inspection-ensuring-your-home-s-water-systems) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for) [![PDX Direct Realty](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Color%20logo%20-%20no%20background.png?width=100&height=98&name=Color%20logo%20-%20no%20background.png "PDX Direct Realty")](http://PDX%20Direct%20Realty) [List@PDXDirectRealty.com](mailto:List@PDXDirectRealty.com) (503) 847-2199 M-F 8am-5pm PST 3225 SW 87th Ave. #25653 Portland, OR 97225 Our Services - [Property Listing Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/listing-services) - [Home Buyer Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/buyer-services) - [Business Listing Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/contact-us) - [Additional Services](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/additional-services) Company Information - [About Us](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/contact-us) - [Terms of Service](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/terms-of-service) - [Privacy Policy](https://legal.hubspot.com/privacy-policy) - [Real Estate Articles](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles) **Customer Portal** - [Submit Listing Data](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/submission-options) - [Submit Photos](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/photo-submission) - [Submit Changes](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/submit-changes-form) - [Submit Documents](https://pdxdirectrealty.com/document-submission-form) Copyright © 2026, PDX Direct Realty - All Rights Reserved - Licensed in the State of Oregon ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "PDX Direct", "url" : "https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/author/pdx-direct" }, "dateModified" : "2023-12-22T19:39:54.319Z", "datePublished" : "2023-06-08T07:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Avoiding Home Inspection Problems: Tips on What To Look For", "image" : [ "https://pdxdirectrealty.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image_154-3.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://pdxdirectrealty.com/articles/things-that-fail-a-home-inspection-what-to-look-out-for", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://pdxdirectrealty.com/hubfs/Color%20logo%20-%20no%20background.png" }, "name" : "PDX Direct Realty" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : [ "PDX Direct" ] }, "datePublished" : "2023-06-08T07:00:00+0000", "description" : "Understand potential issues that may lead to an unwelcome home inspection result. 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