| Although architectural details, wall and floor coverings, | | | | wasping, broken edges, rounded corners or key holes |
| modern conveniences and many other factors are | | | | (slits) becoming wider that normal?Any loose |
| important in the buying decision, the focus of this | | | | flashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wall connection or |
| inspection is on the structural/mechanical/electrical | | | | elsewhere? |
| condition of the property.The inspection is designed | | | | Does the wooden roof deck appear rotten or |
| to give the real estate agent or prospective | | | | delaminated under the last row of shingles?Are there |
| purchaser a system to detect some of the readily | | | | any roof vents visible?CHIMNEYSIs the masonry cap |
| accessible major flaws or deficiencies in the significant | | | | cracked or broken? |
| components and systems of a home. It is not | | | | Are any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar missing? |
| designed to, nor does it profess to facilitate | | | | Is the chimney leaning?SOFFITS AND FASCIANote |
| detection of all flaws, problems or occurrences that | | | | whether the soffit and fascia are wood, aluminum or |
| might exist in any given home.To maximize time | | | | plastic |
| efficiency and to ensure all of the major sections of | | | | Any loose or missing sections?If wood, are there |
| the home are take into consideration, we have | | | | any paint problems? Any visible rot?GUTTERS AND |
| developed a systematized approach to the inspection. | | | | DOWNSPOUTSEnsure gutters slope down toward |
| This is a simplified overview of systems that | | | | downspouts |
| professional home inspectors use when they are | | | | Any rust or peeling paint?Apparent leaks or loose |
| inspecting a home.To assist you in following the | | | | sagging sections?Are the downspouts extended |
| system, we have provided a checklist that will guide | | | | away from the foundations?WALL COVERINGSLook |
| you through your own inspection.THE INSPECTION | | | | for missing mortarAre the bricks flaking or |
| SYSTEMTHE BIG PICTUREThe first step in inspecting | | | | cracking?Look for loose, missing or rotten siding, |
| a home is to examine the big picture for the home. | | | | deteriorated paint.Does the siding appear new? Does |
| Notice the area the home is located in. Are there | | | | it hide the foundation wall?Exterior walls bowed, |
| other homes of similar age and construction details | | | | bulged or leaning?WINDOWS AND DOORSLook for |
| relative to the home you are inspecting? A | | | | problems with paint or caulking, and rotted wood |
| comparison will give you a general idea of the upkeep | | | | components. |
| of the home. Have there been significant | | | | Are the windows new or older? Are they the original |
| modifications to the exterior of the building and if so, | | | | windows?How old are they?PORCHES AND |
| how is the workmanship?EXTERIORStart at the | | | | DECKSCracking or flaking masonry?Check for paint |
| exterior front of the house and work your way | | | | problems, rotted wood, and wood-earth contact.Note |
| around the house (clockwise or counter-clockwise) at | | | | any settlement or separation from the house.Inspect |
| a distance which allows you to view a complete face | | | | the underside, if accessible.FOUNDATIONSCheck for |
| comfortably. On each face (front, sides, rear) start | | | | cracks, flaking or damaged masonry.Note any water |
| your visual inspection at the top of the structure and | | | | markings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky |
| work your way down to the ground and lot area. As | | | | substance) |
| an example, you would start at the front and note | | | | Any bowing, buldging or other irregularities?Soft |
| the roof and chimneys, the gutters, fascia and | | | | mortar?LOT AREADoes the grade slope away from |
| soffits. Then, moving down the exterior wall | | | | the house?Any settled/low areas next to the |
| coverings (brick, wood, aluminum), noting windows, | | | | foundation, or cracked walks/driveway? |
| doors, etc. Examine any porches or decks down to | | | | Is the property lower than the street or neighboring |
| the foundation, then the grade or slope of the lot | | | | properties?BASEMENTNote any evidence of water |
| area, followed by any coverings, such as flower | | | | penetration (stains, mildew/odors, effluorescence, |
| beds, walkways, interlocking brick, driveways, etc. | | | | loose tiles etc.)FLOORSCheck for deteriorated |
| Move closer to the house, to examine more closely | | | | coverings or cracked ceramics. |
| any details which may have attracted your attention, | | | | Any water staining or other damage? |
| without skipping any items. Having completed the | | | | Sloping or sagging?WALLSRandomly sample to |
| front, move to the side of the house and start the | | | | check that the windows and doors work. |
| same procedure (roof to ground).INTERIOROn the | | | | Are the walls straight vertically and horizontally? |
| interior, begin your inspection in the basement and | | | | Look for cracked or loose plaster. |
| then follow the system throughout each floor in the | | | | Look for stains, physical damage or previous repair |
| house. The system for inspecting the interior is to | | | | evidence. |
| begin with the floor, go to the walls and then the | | | | Any drywall seams or nails showing?CEILINGSCheck |
| ceiling, and then consider any appliances or other | | | | for cracks in the plaster or loose, sagging plaster. |
| items in the room. Move from room to room, always | | | | Look for stains, mechanical damage or evidence of |
| in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) | | | | previous repair. |
| so as to not miss any areas. If you see a door, open | | | | Seams or nails showing?BATHROOMS AND |
| it!In the utility room in the basement, first notice the | | | | KITCHENSCheck that all fixtures are secure. |
| floor, the walls (possibly the foundation walls are | | | | Are there any cracks in the fixtures? |
| visible here), then the ceiling (floor joists may be | | | | Note the conditon of the tiles and caulking in the tub |
| visible), then go to the furnace, hot water heater, | | | | shower area. |
| electrical panel, plumbing system, etc. When | | | | Are the faucets working? Do they leak? Sufficient |
| inspecting the floors, walls and ceilings, scan the | | | | water pressure? |
| entire area that is visible, not just one section.In a | | | | Look for staining and rot under the counter-tops |
| finished room you would notice the floors, walls | | | | Randomly sample the operation of the cabinet doors |
| (including windows) and ceiling. Next look for the heat | | | | and drawers.ELECTRO-MECHANICAL |
| sources, electrical outlets and switches, fireplaces, | | | | CONSIDERATIONSType, style and age of heating & |
| closets etc. In bathroom or kitchen, notice the floor, | | | | cooling systems. When were they last inspected or |
| walls and ceiling, then the plumbing | | | | serviced? |
| fixtures.CONDITIONWhile performing the inspection, | | | | Type of water supply piping and drains - any visible |
| whether at the exterior, the interior or one of the | | | | rust and corrosion? |
| mechanical systems, note the system first, then its | | | | Size and age of electical service - are the outlets |
| relative condition. For example, if you were inspecting | | | | grounded? Visible wiring in good condtion? |
| a wall on the interior of the home you would first | | | | Have there been any upgrades?Vist our website for |
| note that the wall is plaster, and then examine the | | | | a printable Pre-Inspection ChecklistArticle submitted |
| wall for cracks and irregularities.PROBLEMSThe | | | | by the American Home Inspector DirectoryAmerican |
| following are some typical problems or occurrences | | | | Home Inspector Directory - Home Inspectors |
| to look for in the major components and systems of | | | | NationwideNational Directory of Home Inspectors. |
| the home.ROOFIs the ridge (peak) showing a sag, or | | | | Search our database of Home Inspectors Free - |
| is it straight and level?Is the roof sagging between | | | | Information on Home Inspections, Home Loans and |
| the rafters or trusses?Are there any signs of | | | | Home Inspection Organizations. |
| deterioration of asphalt shingles, such as curling, | | | | |