WHat We Check

WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION?

Your inspection documents on the overall condition of the home. A thorough home inspection gives the buyer details about a home’s structure, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and more. Getting a home inspection is important because it helps the buyer know if a home may need costly repairs.

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DOORS, WINDOWS & INTERIOR

The inspector shall inspect:

a representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them;

floors, walls, and ceilings;

stairs, steps, landings, stairways, and ramps;

railings, guards and handrails; and

garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.

The inspector shall describe:

a garage vehicle door as manually-operated or installed with a garage door opener.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles, and rails for steps, stairways, guards, and railings;

photo-electric safety sensors that did not operate properly; and

any window that was obviously fogged or displayed other evidence of broken seals.

The inspector is not required to:

inspect paint, wallpaper, window treatments or finish treatments.

inspect floor coverings or carpeting.

inspect central vacuum systems.

inspect for safety glazing.

inspect security systems or components.

evaluate the fastening of islands, countertops, cabinets, sink tops, or fixtures.

move furniture, stored items, or any coverings, such as carpets or rugs, in order to inspect the concealed floor structure.

move suspended-ceiling tiles.

inspect or move any household appliances.

inspect or operate equipment housed in the garage, except as otherwise noted.

verify or certify the proper operation of any pressure-activated auto-reverse or related safety feature of a garage door.

operate or evaluate any security bar release and opening mechanisms, whether interior or exterior, including their

compliance with local, state, or federal standards.

operate any system, appliance, or component that requires the use of special keys, codes, combinations, or devices.

operate or evaluate self-cleaning oven cycles, tilt guards/latches, or signal lights.

inspect microwave ovens or test leakage from microwave ovens.

operate or examine any sauna, steam-generating equipment, kiln, toaster, ice maker, coffee maker, can opener, bread warmer,

blender, instant hot-water dispenser, or other small, ancillary appliances or devices.

inspect elevators.

inspect remote controls.

inspect appliances.

inspect items not permanently installed.

discover firewall compromises.

inspect pools, spas or fountains.

determine the adequacy of whirlpool or spa jets, water force, or bubble effects.

determine the structural integrity or leakage of pools or spas.

EXTERIOR

The inspector shall inspect:

the exterior wall-covering materials;

the eaves, soffits, and fascia;

a representative number of windows;

all exterior doors;

flashing and trim;

adjacent walkways and driveways;

stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps;

porches, patios, decks, balconies, and carports;

railings, guards and handrails; and

vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls, and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due

to moisture intrusion.

The inspector shall describe:

the type of exterior wall-covering materials.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

any improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails.

The inspector is not required to:

inspect or operate screens, storm windows, shutters, awnings, fences, outbuildings, or exterior accent lighting.

inspect items that are not visible or readily accessible from the ground, including window and door flashing.

inspect or identify geological, geotechnical, hydrological or soil conditions.

inspect recreational facilities or playground equipment.

inspect seawalls, break walls or docks.

inspect erosion-control or earth-stabilization measures.

inspect for safety-type glass.

inspect underground utilities.

inspect underground items.

inspect wells or springs.

inspect solar, wind or geothermal systems.

inspect swimming pools or spas.

inspect wastewater treatment systems, septic systems or cesspools.

inspect irrigation or sprinkler systems.

inspect drain fields or dry wells.

determine the integrity of multiple-pane window glazing or thermal window seals.

HEATING

The inspector shall inspect:

the heating system, using normal operating controls.

The inspector shall describe:

the location of the thermostat for the heating system;

the energy source; and

the heating method.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

any heating system that did not operate; and

if the heating system was deemed inaccessible.

The inspector is not required to:

inspect, measure, or evaluate the interior of flues or chimneys, fire chambers, heat exchangers, combustion air

systems, fresh-air intakes, makeup air, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, electronic air filters, geothermal systems, or solar heating systems.

inspect fuel tanks or underground or concealed fuel supply systems.

determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, BTU, or supply adequacy of the heating system.

light or ignite pilot flames.

activate heating, heat pump systems, or other heating systems when ambient temperatures or other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment.

override electronic thermostats.

evaluate fuel quality.

verify thermostat calibration, heat anticipation, or automatic setbacks, timers, programs or clocks.

measure or calculate the air for combustion, ventilation, or dilution of flue gases for appliances.

COOLING

The inspector shall inspect:

the cooling system, using normal operating controls.

The inspector shall describe:

the location of the thermostat for the cooling system; and

the cooling method.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

any cooling system that did not operate; and

if the cooling system was deemed inaccessible.

The inspector is not required to:

determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, BTU, or supply adequacy of the cooling system.

inspect portable window units, through-wall units, or electronic air filters.

operate equipment or systems if the exterior temperature is below 65° Fahrenheit, or when other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment.

inspect or determine thermostat calibration, cooling anticipation, or automatic setbacks or clocks.

examine electrical current, coolant fluids or gases, or coolant leakage.

BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE & STRUCTURE

The inspector shall inspect:

the foundation;

the basement;

the crawlspace; and

structural components.

The inspector shall describe:

the type of foundation; and

the location of the access to the under-floor space.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

observed indications of wood in contact with or near soil;

observed indications of active water penetration;

observed indications of possible foundation movement, such as sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, and unlevel floors; and

any observed cutting, notching and boring of framing members that may, in the inspector’s opinion, present a structural or safety concern.

The inspector is not required to:

enter any crawlspace that is not readily accessible, or where entry could cause damage or pose a hazard to him/herself.

move stored items or debris.

operate sump pumps with inaccessible floats.

identify the size, spacing, span or location or determine the adequacy of foundation bolting, bracing, joists, joist spans or support systems.

provide any engineering or architectural service.

report on the adequacy of any structural system or component.

FIREPLACE

The inspector shall inspect:

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; and

clean out doors and frames.

The inspector shall describe:

the type of fireplace.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

evidence of joint separation, damage or deterioration of the hearth, hearth extension or chambers;

manually operated dampers that did not open and close;

the lack of a smoke detector in the same room as the fireplace;

the lack of a carbon-monoxide detector in the same room as the fireplace; and

cleanouts not made of metal, pre-cast cement, or other non-combustible material.

The inspector is not required to:

inspect the flue or vent system.

inspect the interior of chimneys or flues, fire doors or screens, seals or gaskets, or mantels.

determine the need for a chimney sweep.

operate gas fireplace inserts.

light pilot flames.

determine the appropriateness of any installation.

inspect automatic fuel-fed devices.

inspect combustion and/or make-up air devices.

inspect heat-distribution assists, whether gravity-controlled or fan-assisted.

ignite or extinguish fires.

determine the adequacy of drafts or draft characteristics.

move fireplace inserts, stoves or firebox contents.

perform a smoke test.

dismantle or remove any component.

perform a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-style inspection.

perform a Phase I home inspection for the fireplace and chimney.