Some buyers want more than a report. On this 2001 two-story in Gilbert, Arizona, the buyer brought in a concrete repair specialist and Ammon from Eco Roofing Solutions to walk the house with me. That way he got answers and repair advice on the spot, before his inspection period ran out. Then the sewer camera found tree roots in the main line.
What we found
- Foundation: a horizontal crack in the stem wall near grade and signs of slab settlement. The concrete specialist walked the buyer through the repair options right there.
- Drainage: the backyard drainage path is blocked by concrete and rock, and a few roof edges need gutters to keep water away from the foundation.
- Cooling: a clogged HVAC condensate line, plus rust that traces back to the air handler.
- Stucco: cracks to seal, and a weep screed that needs to stay clear. Keeping the stem wall visible is how you spot termite tubes early.
- Roof: the concrete tile roof has brittle underlayment and mismatched replacement tiles, and the coated flat roof section has soft decking underneath.
- Sewer line: tree roots about 17 feet into the main line, right where a tree had been removed but the pipe was never repaired.
Pro tip: horizontal cracks near grade
Hairline cracks in stucco are common in Arizona. A horizontal crack in the stem wall near the ground is different. If you see one, have a concrete or foundation professional look at it. It may only need sealing, or it may need a real repair, and you want to know which before you close.
Removing a tree doesn’t remove the roots
The roots in this sewer line were left behind after a tree was cut down. The tree is gone, but the damaged pipe is still there, and roots will keep catching paper and waste until the line backs up. That’s exactly what a sewer camera inspection is for. You can’t see any of this from the yard.
Why bring specialists to your inspection
A home inspector looks at the whole house and tells you what needs attention. A roofer or concrete contractor can then tell you what it will cost to fix. Having them on site during the inspection saves you days of back and forth, and it gives you real numbers to negotiate with while you still have time.
Watch the full inspection
See the whole team inspection in the video above, or watch it on YouTube. Buying in Gilbert? Here’s what’s included in a residential home inspection. Book your inspection online or call 623-399-0079.
Property Inspections Plus is a Gilbert, AZ home inspection company led by Certified Master Inspector Dan Pierce. We inspect homes across the East Valley, the Phoenix metro and the rest of Arizona. See all of our service areas.
