BUYER'S HOME INSPECTION
STRUCTURAL INSPECTION
One of the most critical aspects of the home inspection is evaluating the structural components of the house. This includes a thorough investigation about the foundation, floors, walls, ceilings and roof. The main cause for deficiencies in these areas is water and moisture intrusion. With consideration to the grading, drainage and exterior condition of the house we can identify the signs indicating major structural defects. The structural portion of the inspection report will describe:
Structural defects causing cracked walls, sloping floors, sagging roofs and water intrusion
Construction type and material of the components mentioned above
EXTERIOR INSPECTION
The exterior components of a house protect the structural system from water and moisture intrusion. The siding, doors, windows, decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches and their points of attachment to the structural components are the most vulnerable locations. Thorough evaluation of these areas is essential to ensure that water is not penetrating materials such as wood. The exterior portion of the inspection report will describe:
The effects of vegetation, grading, drainage and retaining walls with respect to their immediate detrimental effect on the condition of the house
Siding type and material
ROOF INSPECTION
The roofing system sheds water away from the house and the interior of home. Adequate drainage is important for the preservation of the footings and foundation walls supporting the structural framing. A thorough inspection of the gutters and downspouts ensures that water is properly diverted away from these areas. Evaluating the condition of the roof covering, flashing around penetrations, skylights and chimneys is essential to determine if there are any deficiencies allowing water to leak into the interior of the house. The roofing portion of the inspection report will describe:
Roof surface
Deficiencies in the roof drainage systems and flashing
Condition of the skylights and chimneys
PLUMBING INSPECTION
Inspecting the plumbing system involves testing all the faucets for functional drainage and flow, inspecting the water supply and distribution systems for leaks, ensuring proper drainage of the drain and waste pipes and operation of any sump pumps. Additionally, we will inspection the proper installation and operation of storage tank water heating and demand water heating systems. The plumbing portion of the inspection report will describe:
Predominant interior water supply and distribution piping materials
Predominant drain, waste and vent piping materials
Water heating equipment including the type of fuel used to run the appliance
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION
The main objective of evaluating the electrical system is to maintain the safety of the occupants by ensuring there are no shock and fire hazards. This involves opening all electrical panels to verify the compatibility of the over-current protection devices with the wiring size and ensuring that proper grounding methods exist. Additionally, we will check for GFCI receptacles in their required locations and proper installation of lighting fixtures, light switches and outlets. The electrical portion of the inspection report will describe:
Amperage and voltage of the service
Location of main disconnect, main panels and sub panels
Type of over-current protection devices
Predominant type of wiring
Presence of knob and tube branch circuit wiring and/or solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring
HVAC COOLING & HEATING SYSTEMS
There are countless of methods used to heat or cool a home. The objective is to maintain the temperature of the house to a degree of comfort as efficiently as possible. Inspecting for proper operation of the appliance and evaluating the distribution system for deficiencies will help maximize efficiency and reduce the annual cost of heating and cooling your home. The cooling and heating portion of the inspection report will describe:
Defects reducing the efficiency of these systems
Heating and cooling equipment and distribution type
Type of fuel used to run the appliances
INTERIOR INSPECTION
The current state of the interior walls, ceilings, floors, steps, stairways, doors and windows provide good insight about the condition of the components behind the walls. Inspection of these systems is crucial for identifying major structural defects. Additionally, all the kitchen and laundry appliances included with the sale of the home will be tested for proper installation and operation. The interior portion of the inspection report will describe:
Any deficiencies in the systems mentioned above
Improper installation methods of the appliances
Damaged or inoperable appliances
ATTIC & CRAWLSPACE INSPECTION
Adequate ventilation is important for maintaining conditioned air within the interior during heating and cooling seasons. Together with a properly insulated attic and/or crawlspace, the cooling and heating systems use less fuel to replace the heated/cooled air in the house thereby decreasing the annual cost to run the appliances. The attic and crawlspace portion of the inspection report will describe:
Condition of the insulation in unfinished spaces adjacent to heated areas
Evidence of inadequate attic and crawlspace ventilation