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Home Inspection Checklist - Home Inspectors

Although architectural details, wall and
floor coverings, modern conveniences and manyAre any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar
other factors are important in the buyingmissing?
decision, the focus of this inspection is on
the structural/mechanical/electricalIs the chimney leaning?SOFFITS AND
condition of the property.The inspection isFASCIANote whether the soffit and fascia are
designed to give the real estate agent orwood,  aluminum  or  plastic
prospective purchaser a system to detect some
of the readily accessible major flaws orAny loose or missing sections?If wood, are
deficiencies in the significant componentsthere any paint problems? Any visible
and systems of a home. It is not designedrot?GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTSEnsure gutters
to, nor does it profess to facilitateslope  down  toward  downspouts
detection of all flaws, problems or
occurrences that might exist in any givenAny rust or peeling paint?Apparent leaks or
home.To maximize time efficiency and toloose/sagging sections?Are the downspouts
ensure all of the major sections of the homeextended away from the foundations?WALL
are take into consideration, we haveCOVERINGSLook for missing mortarAre the
developed a systematized approach to thebricks flaking or cracking?Look for loose,
inspection. This is a simplified overviewmissing or rotten siding, deteriorated
of systems that professional home inspectorspaint.Does the siding appear new? Does it
use when they are inspecting a home.To assisthide the foundation wall?Exterior walls
you in following the system, we have providedbowed, bulged or leaning?WINDOWS AND
a checklist that will guide you through yourDOORSLook for problems with paint or
own inspection.THE INSPECTION SYSTEMTHE BIGcaulking,  and  rotted  wood  components.
PICTUREThe first step in inspecting a home is
to examine the big picture for the home.Are the windows new or older? Are they the
Notice the area the home is located in. Areoriginal windows?How old are they?PORCHES AND
there other homes of similar age andDECKSCracking or flaking masonry?Check for
construction details relative to the home youpaint problems, rotted wood, and wood-earth
are inspecting? A comparison will give you acontact.Note any settlement or separation
general idea of the upkeep of the home. Havefrom the house.Inspect the underside, if
there been significant modifications to theaccessible.FOUNDATIONSCheck for cracks,
exterior of the building and if so, how isflaking or damaged masonry.Note any water
the workmanship?EXTERIORStart at the exteriormarkings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky
front of the house and work your way aroundsubstance)
the house (clockwise or counter-clockwise) at
a distance which allows you to view aAny bowing, buldging or other
complete face comfortably. On each faceirregularities?Soft mortar?LOT AREADoes the
(front, sides, rear) start your visualgrade slope away from the house?Any settled
inspection at the top of the structure andlow areas next to the foundation, or cracked
work your way down to the ground and lotwalks/driveway?
area. As an example, you would start at the
front and note the roof and chimneys, theIs the property lower than the street or
gutters, fascia and soffits. Then, movingneighboring properties?BASEMENTNote any
down the exterior wall coverings (brick,evidence of water penetration (stains, mildew
wood, aluminum), noting windows, doors, etc.odors, effluorescence, loose tiles
Examine any porches or decks down to theetc.)FLOORSCheck for deteriorated coverings
foundation, then the grade or slope of theor  cracked  ceramics.
lot area, followed by any coverings, such as
flower beds, walkways, interlocking brick,Any  water  staining  or  other  damage?
driveways, etc. Move closer to the house,
to examine more closely any details which maySloping or sagging?WALLSRandomly sample to
have attracted your attention, withoutcheck  that  the  windows  and  doors  work.
skipping any items. Having completed the
front, move to the side of the house andAre the walls straight vertically and
start the same procedure (roof tohorizontally?
ground).INTERIOROn the interior, begin your
inspection in the basement and then followLook  for  cracked  or  loose  plaster.
the system throughout each floor in the
house. The system for inspecting theLook for stains, physical damage or previous
interior is to begin with the floor, go torepair  evidence.
the walls and then the ceiling, and then
consider any appliances or other items in theAny drywall seams or nails
room. Move from room to room, always in theshowing?CEILINGSCheck for cracks in the
same direction (clockwise orplaster  or  loose,  sagging  plaster.
counter-clockwise) so as to not miss any
areas. If you see a door, open it!In theLook for stains, mechanical damage or
utility room in the basement, first noticeevidence  of  previous  repair.
the floor, the walls (possibly the foundation
walls are visible here), then the ceilingSeams or nails showing?BATHROOMS AND
(floor joists may be visible), then go to theKITCHENSCheck  that  all fixtures are secure.
furnace, hot water heater, electrical panel,
plumbing system, etc. When inspecting theAre  there  any  cracks  in  the  fixtures?
floors, walls and ceilings, scan the entire
area that is visible, not just one section.InNote the conditon of the tiles and caulking
a finished room you would notice the floors,in  the  tub/shower  area.
walls (including windows) and ceiling. Next
look for the heat sources, electrical outletsAre the faucets working? Do they leak?
and switches, fireplaces, closets etc. InSufficient  water  pressure?
bathroom or kitchen, notice the floor, walls
and ceiling, then the plumbingLook for staining and rot under the
fixtures.CONDITIONWhile performing thecounter-tops
inspection, whether at the exterior, the
interior or one of the mechanical systems,Randomly sample the operation of the cabinet
note the system first, then its relativedoors and drawers.ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
condition. For example, if you wereCONSIDERATIONSType, style and age of heating
inspecting a wall on the interior of the home& cooling systems. When were they last
you would first note that the wall isinspected  or  serviced?
plaster, and then examine the wall for cracks
and irregularities.PROBLEMSThe following areType of water supply piping and drains - any
some typical problems or occurrences to lookvisible  rust  and  corrosion?
for in the major components and systems of
the home.ROOFIs the ridge (peak) showing aSize and age of electical service - are the
sag, or is it straight and level?Is the roofoutlets grounded? Visible wiring in good
sagging between the rafters or trusses?Arecondtion?
there any signs of deterioration of asphalt
shingles, such as curling, wasping, brokenHave there been any upgrades?Vist our
edges, rounded corners or key holes (slits)website for a printable Pre-Inspection
becoming wider that normal?Any looseChecklistArticle submitted by the American
flashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wallHome Inspector DirectoryAmerican Home
connection  or  elsewhere?Inspector Directory - Home Inspectors
NationwideNational Directory of Home
Does the wooden roof deck appear rotten orInspectors. Search our database of Home
delaminated under the last row ofInspectors Free - Information on Home
shingles?Are there any roof ventsInspections, Home Loans and Home Inspection
visible?CHIMNEYSIs the masonry cap cracked orOrganizations.
broken?



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