The Home Inspection
My home inspections are extensive and thorough. I put a lot of time and effort into each inspection in order to properly evaluate all accessible and visible portions of the interior and exterior of the home. This includes the property, roof, siding, attic, foundation, structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the home or building. I will climb up on the roof and crawl through the attic to make sure I have provided a complete assessment.
There are three categories of defects that I look for during the inspection:
SAFETY DEFECTS:
Most importantly, is the home or building safe? Are there any unsafe conditions, hazards or components of the home or building that are missing important safety features such as mold, damaged asbestos, loose or missing handrails, ungrounded electrical wiring, unstable structures, etc.
OPERATIONAL DEFECTS:
When some part or systems of the home or building looks alright and everything seems to be constructed or installed correctly, sometimes that is not the case. By testing and observing all components of the home or building, I can identify operational defects such as inadequate ventilation in attics and crawlspaces, improper wiring of electrical systems, poor drainage, failing air conditioning condenser, leaky plumbing, etc.
CONDITION AND MAINTENANCE DEFECTS:
A component of the home or building may be safe and operating properly at the time of the inspection but could be towards the end of its useful life or showing signs of failure in the near future. This is something that a potential buyer should be aware of. These defects could include rust on the bottom of an above ground oil tank, rust on the bottom of a hot water heater, worn rubber gaskets beneath exterior doors, cracked chimney caps, clogged dryer vents, etc.
ALL OF THE ABOVE CAN COST A HOME OWNER.
In terms of the specific components of the home or building, below is what is inspected:
Exterior:
- Property/grounds
- Roofs, gutters, chimney, roof drains, projections, etc.
- Doors, windows
- Decks, patios, sheds
- Driveway, drainage, landscaping, grading
- Detached garages
- Walls, stairs, fencing
- Septic field, water supply well
- Termite/Wood Destroying Organism inspection
Structure:
- Foundation and Basement
- Beams, columns
- Floor and perimeter drainage
- Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
- Crawlspace
- Attached Garage
Interior:
- Stairs, doors, windows
- Walls, flooring, ceiling
- Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry
- Built-in appliances
- Fireplaces, wood stoves
Mechanical and Electrical systems:
- Plumbing system inspection and fixtures
- Electrical wiring inspection and fixtures
- Heating, Hot water and Air conditioning inspection
- Well pumps and pressure tanks
- Sanitary pumps, Drainage sump pumps
A complete list of Standards of Practice can be found at www.nachi.org/sop
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