Inspection day

A good look...

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Home inspections are in reality another pair of eyes reporting for you the client. Inspectors use their knowledge of the construction process to write a report that reflects the condition of various elements and systems in the home or light commercial structure. There won't be a pass or fail objective to the report but it will reflect a visible condition that was accessible and present at the time of inspection. This usually contains items like:
  • sidewalks & drives
  • porches, decks, patios & visible foundation walls or masonry veneers
  • exterior terrain, landscaping & water routing
  •  siding, trim, windows, & doors
  • roof, fascia, soffit, gutters & downspouts
  • interior walls, ceilings, closets & flooring
  • interior doors and trim
  • cabinets & countertops
  • crawlspace, basement areas & visible framing
  • attics, insulation, visible framing, plumbing, & electric
  • visible surfaces of chimneys and vents.
Systems must be visible, accessible and functioning at the time of inspection. Water, gas, & electric systems need to be working at the time of inspection, to test function and safety.
  • Electric service is directed to the interior main breaker of a panel from an electric providers source and meter. The service wire, mast head, and meter are inspected for function and safety. All the circuits in the main panel as well as the switches and outlets are inspected for function and safety . If a breaker is in the off position at the time of the inspection, the inspector will not turn it on and any devises on that circuit can not be inspected and will be noted as such on the report. Special breakers like arc fault and ground fault breakers, if present, will also be inspected. Lights, exhaust and ceiling fans, appliances, light fixtures, smoke alarms will also be inspected.
  • Plumbing systems consisting of vents, waste, and water supply lines will be inspected for type, function and safety where visible. Water supply lines to sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, washing machine, exterior spigots will be turned on and tested for function and safety at the faucet. A plumbing fixture should be able to be inspected for function at the fixture. A supply line to a fixture with a manually closed supply valve will not be be turned on or inspected by the inspector and as such will be noted on the report. Hot water heaters will be inspected for function and safety.  Hot water supply will be inspected at the fixture it serves.
  • Heat, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems will be tested for function and safety where visible and accessible. The inspector will not activate any system or part of a system that is off at a power source and as such will be noted on the report. Some HVAC systems can not be inspected for function during certain seasons of the year where the exterior temperatures are above or below a certain degree which will be noted on the report. 

Stay tuned