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Here are some photos that most concern me - the fireplace crack, efflourescence on the foundation wall, and the small bathroom stains.
Thoughts?
Well, the fireplace crack could have been from settling of the house or perhaps earthquake? You can have that repaired.
The water stains on the bathroom subfloor? That big black cast iron pipe is the toilet drain pipe. (not trying to insult, just educate.). It looks like the toilet leaked at some point, or is still leaking. Did they use a moisture meter to see how wet this subfloor is? You can also pull the toilet and make sure the wax ring is sealed properly once you own the home.
I would talk to the inspector about the foundation wall, and perhaps the current owner.
Squirl made a good point about the water. I think the dynamic there is reduction in flow-not pressure and it may indeed be due to the galvanized steel water supply piping in side the home and/or from the home to the meter. Squirl also pointed out that cast iron drain lines can crack and leak in older homes..hopefully you'll get some feedback from the inspector.. Is the house actually in San Diego or close by like Lemon Grove?
I've only ever bought older homes... from the early 1900's to 1977...
The age of the home is secondary for most things... how well it has been maintained, cared for and how alterations if any are my biggest concerns.
At least you shouldn't have Chinese Drywall!
I like inspections... another set of eyes well versed on making observations.
Some are very minute... others insignificant and others point out deficiencies costly to remedy.
Often a structural engineer will need to do a supplemental inspection should structural items be noted...
Just had a Home Inspection and the biggest item is the original, lovely French Door from 1955 does not have safety or laminated glass just like the shower door...
I purchased a 1959 home. My inspection was 20 or so pages long. Most of it was minor and little things I could fix. I took the 3 main concerns and had the seller fix them. If you are concerned then you can get a contractor to price the repair and have the seller fix or credit you on them. Good luck on your new house!
This is San Diego/California. Where I live in Orange County, people refer to houses from the 1980s and 1990s as "old". I still can't get used to it, because I'm from the East Coast, and there, the old stuff/"prewar" is the good stuff. Many people have a completely different mentality here and refer to resale as "used houses." ha ha.
Squirl made a good point about the water. I think the dynamic there is reduction in flow-not pressure and it may indeed be due to the galvanized steel water supply piping in side the home and/or from the home to the meter. Squirl also pointed out that cast iron drain lines can crack and leak in older homes..hopefully you'll get some feedback from the inspector.. Is the house actually in San Diego or close by like Lemon Grove?
This house doesn't have a pressure regulator per the inspector - the water pressure was around 55 psi regulated by the city of La Mesa, CA.
When the interior of galvanized steel pipes becomes occluded due to rust and mineral deposits, it reduces the flow, not the pressure. When two fixtures are operated simultaneously, the flow is reduced (gallons per minute). Water pressure is a different ,although related dynamic. You can google for more info!
I just spoke to a termite guy that gave me a little insight. He said older homes are stronger because the wood from the trees is more mature/allowed to grow. Mature trees have stronger wood because they blow in the wind, and gain strength. Therefore the homes have more solid wood.
The newer homes have wood from young trees, thus are built like a matchstick house, very fragile.
I don't know how true this is, but it sounded pretty rational.
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