Home Inspection:
A home inspection is a thorough, objective and visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property and is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components.
Below is a list of what is included in a home inspection:
Roof
- the roof-covering materials
- gutters
- downspouts
- vents, flashing, skylights, chimney and other roof penetrations
- general structure of the roof from readily accessible panels, doors or stains.
Basement, Foundation,
Crawlspace & Structure
- Foundation
- Basement
- Crawlspace
- Structural components
Cooling
- Inspection of the cooling system (i.e. A.C.), using the normal operating controls.
Electrical
- Service drop
- OVerhead service conductors and attachment point
- Service head, gooseneck and drip loops
- Service mast, service conduit and raceway
- Electric meter and base
- Service-entrance conductors
- Main service disconnect
- Panelboards and over-current protection devices
- Service grounding and bonding
- Representative number of switches, lighting fixtures and receptacles
- Ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles
- Presence of smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors
Doors, Windows & Interior
- Representative number of doors and windows by operating them
- Floors, walls and ceilings
- Stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps
- Railings, guards and handrails
- Garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.
Exterior
- Exterior wall covering materials
- Eaves, soffits and fascia
- Representative number of windows
- All exterior doors
- Flashing and Trim
- Walkways and driveways
- Stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps
- Porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports
- Railings, guards and handrails
- Vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property.
Heating
- This involves inspecting the heating system (i.e. furnace), specifically using normal operating controls.
Plumbing
- Main water supply shut-off valve
- Main fuel supply shut-off valve
- Water heating equipment (including energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief valves)
- Interior water supply (including all fixtures and faucets by running the water
- All toilets for proper operation by flushing
- All sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage
- Drain, waste and vent systems
- Drainage sump pumps with accessible floats
Fireplace
- Readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys
- Lintels above the fireplace openings
- Damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable
- Cleanout doors and frames
Attic, Insulation &
Ventilation
- Insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas
- Ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas
- Mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area