
- The kitchen sink is a good place to start. Turn on the faucet to see how well its working, how is the water pressure? If it is low, you will want to know the reason. How is the sinks drainage? Does it take a long time to drain? Its important to check under the sink as well, are there any signs of leaking or water damage?
- If the kitchen has a dishwasher, have a good look at the surrounding cabinets for any signs of water damage. Is there any indication the hoses or seals are cracked or leaking? Any persistent leaks could produce a number of serious issues such as mold or rotting of the sub-floor.
- Next, look at the oven, is it gas or electric? If it is gas, be aware of any signs of a gas leak. Check the electrical outlets as well to see if they are working. If any of these things are not working correctly, its important to know why, as they could be indications of a bigger problem with the house.
- Looking at the kitchen countertops, what kind of shape are they in? Unless you will be replacing them, its important that they are not too damaged as this is where food is prepared. Bacteria will very easily form in cracked tile and grout etc.
While many problems will be revealed by your home inspection, its good to have a knowledge of some of the things to look out for ahead of time. In this way, when viewing a house, you can spot some of the warning signs yourself.