Home Inspection and Appliances

Many home inspectors not only check the criticalcommon problem, that should be checked, is the
components and systems of a home, but also try tocondition of the door gaskets that are often found
give an overview of the status of the householdto be torn.
appliances. The information below gives some insightRanges, gas and electric, should be checked for the
into how this evaluation is done.basics: Do the burners, the oven and the broiler all
Home inspection standards seldom specify thatheat? With a gas range there might be more safety
household appliances must be inspected by thechecks but complicated functions, like the working of
professional home inspector. There are a number ofthe oven timer or the calibration of the thermostat
reasons for this. For example, many times theare beyond the scope of the inspection.
appliances go with the seller so they will not be in theWhen the dishwasher is run, the inspector makes
house after closing. Other times, there are nosure that it operates and that no water leaks show
appliances in the home because it is brand new or, inup around it on the floor or under the sink. A
an older home, they were worn out and weredishwasher, depending on the jurisdiction or
disposed of. A problem with trying to evaluate usedcircumstances, might require an air-gap. This device is
appliances is the difficulty in doing so accurately. Evena safeguard that keeps contaminated water from
an appliance repair professional will be reluctant to tryentering into the potable water system. In a related
to predict the longevity or remaining life of a usedmatter, the food disposal is usually run and the
household appliance.primary concern there is that it does not leak, that it
The inspector does not want to make wildis not heavily rusted and that it does not sound like it
predictions about the unknown so, when applianceis flying apart.
inspections are done at all, there are a few guidelines.As described above, kitchen appliances are commonly
These procedures may vary from one inspector toviewed by the inspector but laundry appliances, when
another, and from one appliance to another, but herethey are present at all, may or may not be operated
are some basics. With a refrigerator or freezer, andepending on a number of factors that the inspector
inspector tries to determine if it is cooling andtakes into account at the time.
whether or not it is broken or rusted inside. Another