It is an exciting moment of your life to receive the keys to your home. But the hurdle isn’t over, not when there are things to be done, especially during the defect liability period where faults and defects are discovered and hopefully, are repaired. 

Defects that are easily spotted shouldn’t be much of a problem as they can be rectified, but what about those hidden ones? Here is a list of the  common defects that may have eluded your scrutinising eyes:

1/ Roofs that do not shelter

It isn’t easy to check the roof of your house during the defect liability period, especially when you need a long ladder and steely patience in the hot tropical weather. Even then, the integrity of the roofing cannot be tested until it rains, unless the defect is apparent like a gaping hole in the top, which wouldn’t qualify it as a hidden defect. Inspect your new home after a rainy day and check the floor if there are water puddles, which may suggest roof leakages.

2/ Tap water minus the water

A well-installed tap gives the illusion that it is working, although you may only know it when you make that little twist. Water should flow out unobstructedly from the tap, and the handle turns easily with a slight application of force. Do the same inspection with every single tap in your new home, from the kitchen, bathroom, toilet and the garden, assuming that your home comes with a piece of land.

 3/ Secrets in high places 

It isn’t normal for us to notice defects not located within our eye level, and the ceiling with its higher altitude presents a challenge for us. Unless the defects are obvious, hairline cracks, deformities at the corner and inconsistent surfaces can be hard to discern. Even pivoting our necks up for a brief moment can give us a sore neck and by then, most would have abandoned the checking process. Unlike the roof, you can save your neck the trouble by getting a ladder to examine such defects.

4/ Not so properly sealed windows

As with the roof, a defective window seal is not apparent until the rain comes, and a heavy one at that. With the strong wind blowing against it, you may soon find out if it is capable of keeping water and rain at bay. If you are not inclined to wait for the weather to prove the integrity of your windows seals, then simply close the window tightly and start splashing water at it from the outside. The defects are revealed when water puddles at the seams.