What type of defect can be identified through reasonable inspection at the time of examination?

Identifying a patent defect is crucial because these are flaws that are readily visible and can be discovered through a reasonable inspection during an examination. Examples of patent defects include visible cracks in walls, improper alignment of structural elements, or evident signs of water damage. Since these defects do not require specialized knowledge or invasive techniques to identify, it makes them straightforward for inspectors to recognize during routine evaluations.

Understanding the nature of patent defects is vital for effective building assessments, as they often represent urgent repair needs or concerns that should be immediately addressed for the safety and integrity of the structure. Conversely, hidden defects, latent defects, and obvious defects either cannot be detected without more extensive exploration, are not easily noticeable, or may be apparent but do not fit the definition that includes readily observable flaws. This distinguishes patent defects as the ones that can be efficiently identified during a visual inspection.