The Inspection

A home inspection is a non-invasive & non-exhaustive visual inspection of the accessible areas of the home and it's major systems. Some of the items covered in a typical home inspection are as follows, but not limited to:

  • Roof
    • Roof covering materials
    • Gutters
    • Downspouts
    • Vents
    • Flashing
    • Skylights
    • Chimney & other roof penetration
  • Exterior
    • Exterior wall covering materials, flashings & trim
    • All exterior doors
    • Adjacent walkways & driveways
    • Stairs, steps, stoops, stairways & ramps
    • Porches, patios, decks, balconies & carports
    • Eaves, soffit & fascia
    • A representative number of windows
    • Vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls & grading of property
  • Heating
    • Heating system using normal operating controls
    • Location of thermostat
    • Energy source
    • Heating method
  • Cooling
    • Cooling system using normal operating controls
    • Location of thermostat for cooling system
    • Cooling method
  • Plumbing
    • Main water supply shut-off valve
    • Main fuel supply shut-off
    • Water-heating equipment
    • Interior water-supply including fixtures and faucets
    • All toilets for proper operation & flushing
    • All sinks, tubs & showers for functional drainage
    • Drain waste and vent system, where visible
    • Drainage sump-pumps for assessable floats & drainage
  • Electrical 
    • Service drop, overhead service conductors & attachment point
    • Service head, gooseneck & drip loops
    • Service mast, service conduit & raceway
    • Electric meter & base
    • Main service disconnect
    • Panel boards & over current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses)
    • Representative number of switches, lighting fixtures & receptacles, including GFCI receptacles & AFCI protected circuits
    • Smoke & Carbon Monoxide detectors
  • Fireplace
    • Inspect readily accessable and visible portions of the fireplace(s) & chimney
    • Lintels above fireplace opening
    • Damper doors opening & closing (if readily accessible, and manually operable)
    • Clean-out doors & frames
  • Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
    • Insulation in unfinished spaces incl. attics, crawlspaces & foundation areas
    • Ventilation of unfinished spaces incl. attics, crawlspaces & foundation areas
    • Mechanical exhaust systems in kitchens, bathrooms & laundry areas
  • Doors, Windows & Interior
    • Representative number of doors & windows by opening and closing
    • Floors, walls & ceilings
    • Stairs, steps, landings, stairways & ramps
    • Railings, guards & handrails
    • Garage vehicle doors & operation of door openers using normal operating controls
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