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What Most Home Inspections Miss

When it comes to buying a home in the Greater St. Louis area, most people assume their home inspection will cover everything they need to know. But here’s the truth: not all home inspections are created equal.

At UR Home Inspections, we’ve built our reputation on going beyond the basics—because your peace of mind shouldn’t be limited by someone else’s checklist.

🔍 The Truth About "Standard" Inspections

Many home inspectors follow a minimum standard checklist that covers:

  • Foundation and structure

  • Electrical systems

  • Plumbing

  • Roof and attic

  • HVAC systems

And while that may sound thorough, “minimum” doesn’t mean “complete.”

Standard inspections often miss red flags that could cost you thousands down the line, especially in older homes or those that have been recently flipped. Some inspectors don’t enter crawl spaces, skip sewer lines, or provide only a surface-level examination of roofing. That’s not enough for buyers who want confidence, not just compliance.

Older homes across St. Louis often have aging clay or cast-iron sewer lines. With our sewer scope inspection, we insert a camera into your home’s main drain to check for root intrusion, cracks, or full blockages—before they become your nightmare.

✅ First-Time Homebuyer Support

Never bought a home before? We take extra time to walk you through every part of the inspection report so you understand what matters, what’s urgent, and what’s just wear-and-tear.

🧱 Why This Matters in St. Louis

Historic neighborhoods like Lafayette Square, Soulard, Shaw, and The Hill are filled with 100+ year-old homes—and they’re beautiful. But beauty doesn’t equal safety.

Our team knows the signs of age:

  • Settling foundations from freeze-thaw cycles

  • Knob-and-tube wiring or outdated fuses

  • DIY basement waterproofing that hides bigger issues

  • Old chimneys with hidden cracks or leaks

We also inspect newer homes, where speed-built construction can lead to major shortcuts. We’ve found:

  • HVAC units installed without permits

  • Decks not anchored to the home

  • Attic spaces without proper venting

  • “Flipped” homes with cosmetic updates that cover deeper problems

💡 Common Problems We Uncover That Others Miss

Here’s just a few surprises we’ve helped buyers catch:

  • An electrical panel that had been recalled and replaced with the wrong size breakers

  • A beautiful new kitchen with no ground fault protection—dangerous in St. Louis’s humid summers

  • A roof with fresh shingles… but rotten decking underneath

  • A 1920s home with lead drainpipes hidden behind new drywall