Most Common Defects No house is perfect, but has varying degrees of imperfection. We commonly find defects in new homes as well as old. Some common defects we find include: Structure: Over-spanned or sagging framing members Roof: Older roof coverings are typical on older homes. Plumbing: Minor leaks can become big problems if left unaddressed. Electrical: Hazards are most common in older homes, but are sometimes found in new homes as well. Typical hazards range from ungrounded outlets to oversized breakers or fuses.