A home inspection is used to gain a better understanding of your home and to identify any issues that will need attention in the future. Keeping in mind that these inspections are not code or comprehensive engineering studies of the home.
This will include:
- Exterior: Grounds, siding, roofing, chimney exterior, grading, windows and doors.
- Interior: All of the rooms that can be accessed with be looked at for wall, ceiling and floor cladding, wiring and a sample of the windows will be checked.
- Attic: If there is access to the attic this will be looked at from either inside or the opening given the amount of room allowed.
- Heating and Cooling: The heating and cooling will be tested as long as the weather will permit. The distribution will be checked to see if there are any issues and suggestions will be made if maintenance is needed.
- Plumbing: All of the plumbing fixtures will be checked as well as the exposed portions of the piping. This includes drain as well as water. On occasion a scope will be recommended. We do not perform these. The scope is very important if a home was constructed between the 1940’s and 1970’s. Although there may be issues with piping installed prior to the 1940’s.
- Structure: There will be a review of all the exposed structure to be sure all is sound. This will include exposed floor joist, supports, rafters and stairs.
- Basement/Crawl Space: If access can be gained the lowest portion of the home will be inspected for past moisture and any other issues that could be found in a basement. Often, we will encounter a sump pump and dehumidifier these will be assessed and the connections commented on. The interior of the foundation if visible will be looked at and commented on. The floor covering as well as the ceiling.
During the inspection the inspector will not disturb any finished surfaces nor will any furnishings within the home be moved. Any appliances or equipment that have been turned off at the source will not be operated. Only appliances that can be turned on by operator means will be tested. An inspector will not go into areas that are unsafe.