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