Top Home Inspection Defects: 2024 in Review
October is the season of spooky surprises, but not all haunted house tales involve creaky floorboards and ghostly whispers. The real scares for inspectors come from uncovering unexpected home inspection defects that could transform dream homes into real-life nightmares. Homeowners and buyers alike can learn valuable lessons from the eye-opening discoveries of 2024, which range from plumbing disasters to structural mishaps. Even the most polished homes can hide terrifying secrets.
In this article, we’re counting down the top 10 most memorable defects of the year. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned property owner, or just someone who loves uncovering the unexpected, this list offers valuable insights into why a professional home inspection is essential. Let’s dive in—if you dare!
#10: A Defective Tub Overflow That Led to Trouble
When water damage appears on a ceiling, it’s easy to assume the worst—and in this case, the homeowner’s hunch was spot on. The growing stain on the main floor ceiling was a result of an improperly connected tub overflow.
During the inspection, initial tests of the primary drain showed no signs of leaks. However, further independent testing of the tub’s overflow revealed the true culprit. The overflow drain was not securely connected, which resulted in water seeping through each time the tub was filled to capacity.
The homeowner admitted to enjoying long, deep baths—a habit that unintentionally exacerbated the issue. Without the overflow properly secured, water escaped into the ceiling below, creating a costly problem that could have been avoided with proper plumbing installation.
#9: Home Exhaust Systems Gone Wrong
Exhaust systems are vital for maintaining proper ventilation and ensuring the safety of a home, but these two examples highlight how improper installation can lead to serious issues.
The first instance involved a disconnected exhaust that was venting directly into a storage area beneath a staircase. This oversight not only reduced air quality but also posed a significant structural risk to the underside of the stairs. Over time, the moisture and airflow could weaken the structure, leading to potentially dangerous consequences.
The second case featured a bathroom exhaust fan that had been improperly connected to the home’s heating supply. Instead of removing moist air from the bathroom, this “exhaust” was circulating warm air. This setup fails to serve its intended purpose and could contribute to mold growth and other moisture-related problems.
#8: Broken Window Panes on New Build Homes
Cracked and broken glass is a defect no homeowner expects to encounter, especially on a brand-new build. Unfortunately, this issue is more common than many realize, as noted in these two specific instances.
The first case occurred during a 1-year warranty inspection. The protective film had not even been removed from the window, and a layer of dust obscured the pane. Identifying the crack required a keen eye and a precise angle. Thankfully, the defect was caught in time for the homeowner to file a warranty claim before the window’s condition worsened.
The second situation unfolded during a pre-possession inspection for another new build. This time, a large fracture in the glass was found just a week before the homeowners were set to move in. By catching the issue early, I saved the homeowners from the frustration of discovering the damage after settling in. That situation would have been both inconvenient and costly to address while living in the home.
#7: Mold in an Unexpected Location—A Roof Defect’s Ripple Effect
Mold is always an unwelcome discovery, but finding it in an upper-floor bedroom along an interior party wall is far from typical. In this case, identifying the root cause required looking at the home holistically, tracing the issue back to construction defects in the roof.
The roof’s design created a “dead zone” where water pooled against a protruding wall above the shingles. To make matters worse, the cap flashing in this area had come loose. This revealed bare wood elements left exposed to the weather. Over time, water penetrated these vulnerabilities, traveling down the wall and accumulating in the bedroom below. The result? Mold growth along the baseboard and under the carpeting. These hidden damages would have gone unnoticed without a thorough inspection.
This case serves as a reminder of how interconnected home systems are. It reminds us how defects in one area can lead to issues in completely unexpected places.
#6: The Case of the Unsecured Entry Doors—A Burglar’s Dream
This defect was a true Halloween fright—because nothing is scarier than realizing how easily your home could be accessed by an intruder. In this new build, the rear of the property featured two entry doors: one for the lower suite and another for the main and upper suite. At first glance, they appeared perfectly fine. However, upon closer examination, a chilling oversight was revealed that would make any homeowner’s blood run cold.
Both doors were equipped with standard hinges, with the hinge pins exposed on the exterior side of the home. On this hinge type, the pins can be easily removed. Doing so allows a burglar to simply lift the door off its frame—no specialty tools or lockpicking required. This setup was an open invitation for a criminal.
While exterior hinges are common and not inherently flawed, they must be equipped with exterior-grade security features. This would include non-removable pins or set screws to prevent this kind of vulnerability. In this case, the absence of these safeguards turned what should have been a secure entryway into a glaring weak point. Worst of all, this was brand new home construction.
Imagine moving into your dream home, only to discover how effortlessly someone could bypass your locks. It’s the kind of scare that lingers long after the ghosts and goblins have left for Halloween night.
#5: From Home Flip to Home Flop
At first glance, this home appeared to be a newly renovated dream, with a polished kitchen that was likely showcased beautifully on MLS. But as with many “home flips,” the devil is in the details—and this one turned out to be more of a “home flop” upon closer inspection.
The flaws started to reveal themselves as soon as I dug into the construction and functionality of the home. Incomplete work, poor craftsmanship, and a lack of attention to detail were evident throughout. Electrical outlets were poorly installed, and the wooden trim around light switches was rough and unfinished, making the rushed nature of the work painfully obvious. Door handles were haphazardly affixed, and ventilation systems were either improperly routed or entirely nonfunctional.
The kitchen, which looked so promising at first, showed signs of rushed execution, with inconsistent finishes and misaligned elements. Even the exterior drainage posed concerns, further highlighting the focus on appearances rather than long-term performance.
These types of flips can be a trap, especially for out-of-town buyers who are relying solely on online photos and virtual tours. It’s easy to overlook the telltale signs of a poor renovation job when one is not physically present to examine these details in person. This home serves as a cautionary tale of why a professional Calgary home inspection is essential, particularly for buyers who may not be local and need a trained eye to uncover what photos don’t show.
#4: An Infestation in the Hood Fan—A Condo’s Hidden Nightmare
Even as a seasoned inspector, I was taken aback by this discovery during a condo inspection. What started as a routine check of the kitchen range hood fan revealed an unsettling surprise. Enter the pile of dead insects that had accumulated just above the range, hidden behind the fan cover.
The hood fan test initially seemed uneventful until I removed the cover to confirm the ducting was properly affixed and venting to the exterior. That’s when the grim scene came to light. The insects had likely entered through a poorly sealed exhaust outlet on the building’s exterior, creating an unexpected graveyard above the kitchen range. Judging by the extent of the accumulation, they had been there for quite some time.
This issue highlights the importance of proper sealing and maintenance of exterior vents to prevent pests from finding their way inside. While the scene was unpleasant, catching this defect during the inspection allowed the homeowner to address it before it became a more widespread issue—or an unwelcome surprise during meal prep.
#3: A Neighbor’s Deck Disaster—A Balcony Built to Fail
While conducting an inspection on a neighboring property, I noticed an alarming deck structure that defied all safety norms and possibly even physics itself. This wasn’t part of the home I was inspecting, but it was impossible to overlook. The striking structure featured a six-foot-deep deck, devoid of any post or pier support. Instead, the entire deck was anchored solely by attaching the joists to the side of the building.
As an inspector, stepping foot on a deck like this is unthinkable. The complete lack of structural support not only makes the deck a ticking time bomb for collapse but also raises the terrifying thought of what could happen if someone tried to host a gathering on it—or, even worse, decided to add a hot tub. The potential for catastrophic failure is undeniable.
This unsettling sight highlights how cutting corners on construction can lead to serious safety risks. While I wasn’t inspecting this home, it’s a stark reminder of the importance of verifying the structural integrity of any outdoor spaces before use—especially for elevated decks like this one.
#2: A Showhome of Shame—When Luxury Fails to Deliver
A showhome serves as a builder’s masterpiece, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, design, and quality. It’s their sales pitch to homeowners—the reason you’d trust them to build your dream home. But this one? This showhome was far from being a model of excellence. As a so-called “luxury custom home,” the defects I uncovered were nothing short of astonishing.
The dishwasher was a fitting metaphor for the project itself: its insulation wrap had never been installed and was instead stuffed inside the unit. The flooring? Cut short and left unfinished, with gaps exposing raw edges. The exterior featured exposed and untreated wood, a glaring oversight in protecting the home from the elements.
Moving to the kitchen, the range hood’s exhaust fan was disconnected. The gas range lacked a necessary 120V outlet, rendering it completely non-functional. Good luck getting an ignition spark without power. And that disconnected hood fan? With gas appliances, that’s a safety hazard, not just an inconvenience. The bathroom wasn’t spared either, with leaks around the shower glass, loose and unaffixed fixtures, and an unsecured upper tub deck. And if that wasn’t enough, the tub leaked onto the ceiling below, adding structural damage to the list.
For a builder advertising itself as a custom luxury provider, this showhome raised serious questions about their commitment to quality and attention to detail. If this is how they present their best work, one has to wonder what their worst might look like.
As I worked my way through this “luxury” property, one question kept running through my mind: Tell me again, why should I let you build my home?
#1: A Home Flipper’s Plumbing Nightmare
Coming in at the top of the list is another example of a flipper’s rushed and incomplete work—this time with a heavy emphasis on plumbing issues. This type of work leaves you perplexed, wondering how anyone could consider it “done.” Let’s break this one down.
The kitchen drainage system was seemingly designed to defy gravity, with pipes sloped uphill instead of down—a surefire recipe for blockages. Then there was the sink’s dry vent, capped off entirely, preventing any air circulation and leaving the pipe ineffective. But the crown jewel of this plumbing disaster? A completely disconnected second-floor plumbing drain that leaked water all the way down to the basement.
What’s even more baffling is that this doesn’t appear to have been a case of trying to mask the issues. Instead, it’s more likely a case of genuine ignorance and a lack of thoroughness in completing the work. The plumbers clearly hadn’t tested their work, as water was shut off when I arrived. Once I turned it back on to run my tests, the flaws became immediately obvious—leaks and all.
This shoddy plumbing caused significant additional damage and required costly repairs to bring the home back to a functional and non-damaging level. It’s a stark reminder of why inspections are critical, especially with flipped homes. What may look polished on the surface can hide egregious defects that can cause long-term headaches for unsuspecting buyers. A home is a significant investment—don’t let someone else’s lack of care become your problem.
Final Thoughts on 2024’s Most Shocking Home Inspection Defects
As we’ve seen, even the most seemingly polished homes can hide some truly shocking defects. These issues, such as a flipped home with rushed and incomplete work, a showhome that fails to live up to its name, or an unnervingly precarious deck structure, serve as a reminder of the importance of thorough inspections. A professional Calgary Home Inspector can uncover problems that might not be immediately obvious but could lead to serious safety concerns or costly repairs down the line.
Every defect on this list reveals not only poor craftsmanship but also the risks homeowners face when they take shortcuts. It’s a clear lesson that appearances can be deceiving and that investing in a proper inspection is an essential step in protecting your home and your peace of mind.
Don’t Waive a Home Inspection, Book a Home Inspector Today
Don’t keep your home purchase in the dark. Work with your real estate agent to include a home inspection condition when making an offer on a home. Follow that up by booking your inspection online or by contacting us to ensure you’re making a sound investment. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just want peace of mind, having a quality home inspection done is the best way to protect your home.
For any inquiries or to schedule an inspection, feel free to email us at chris@calgaryhomeinspector.ca, text 825-863-2372, or book a time slot online.
We’re proud to extend our services beyond Calgary. We offer home inspection services in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane, Okotoks and more!