House Inspection – When all is said and done a house is comprised of roughly 1,100 to 1,300 items

This outline represents larger categories. Within each category below there are many other categories representing smaller items to be inspected.

  • THE ATTIC IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE:

    A. IT IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE A LEAK FROM THE ROOF WILL BE SEEN
    B. INSULATION (TYPE AND IS THERE ENOUGH) AND VENTILATION (FANS ?)
    C. WIRING (TO THE BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS) AND PLUMBING
    D. CHIMNEY (CRACKS AND OR LEANING)
    E. STRUCTURE (SHEATHING, ROOF RAFTERS, CEILING JOISTS)
    F. PESTS

  • GENERAL ROOM INSPECTION. WITH THE THRUST ON STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS:

    A. WALLS (STAINS, CRACKS, NAIL POPS)
    B. CEILINGS (STAINS, CRACKS, NAIL POPS)
    C. FLOORS (CONDITION, PET STAINS)
    D. DOORS (TEST ALL)
    E. CARPETING / TILES
    F. OUTLETS
    G. CEILING FIXTURES
    H. HEAT / A/C
    I. WINDOWS
    J. PAINT OVER WALL PAPER

  • WHEN WE ARE IN THE BATHROOM(S) WE LET THE WATER RUN FOR 10-15 MINUTES AT EACH SOURCE TO NOT ONLY CHECK SUPPLY PRESSURE AND LEAKS BUT FOR WASTE BLOCKAGE IN THE MAIN LINE, WE ALSO CHECK:

    A. LOOSE TILES
    B. LOOSE TOILET
    C. LOOSE VANITY
    D. TUB & SINK DRAIN CONTROL
    E. MOLD / MILDEW
    F. BATH FAN

  • WE TEST ALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES, DATE THEM, LET YOU KNOW THE PROBLEMS (IF ANY), CHECK FOR LOOSE CABINETS, LEAKS AND DRAINAGE.

  • THE LIVING-ROOM AND DINING-ROOM ARE THE SAME AS #2 EXCEPT, IF THERE IS A FIREPLACE IN WHICH CASE WE CHECK THE DAMPER AND THE FLUE, IF ACCESSIBLE.

  • BASEMENT / CRAWL SPACE(S) ARE EXAMINED FOR:

    A. WATER, MOISTURE, DAMPNESS AND IT’S PAST AND FUTURE CONSEQUENCES
    B. STRUCTURE(S) (INCLUDING THE GARAGE) ARE EXAMINED FOR:
    1. CONDITION OF MAIN SUPPORTING BEAM (CRACKS, CHECKS, ROT, INFESTATION)
    2. CONDITION OF FLOOR JOISTS (CRACKS, CHECKS, ROT, INFESTATION)
    3. FOUNDATION CRACKS, SETTLEMENT AND DETERIORATION
    4. SLAB / FLOOR CRACK AND OR HEAVE
    5. TERMITES / CARPENTER ANTS
    6. RADON IF REQUESTED
    7. PERIMETER / FRENCH DRAINS AND SUMP PUMP(S)
    8. SUPPORTING COLUMNS
    9. ASBESTOS

  • ELECTRIC IS EXAMINED FOR UNGROUNDED AND REVERSED POLARITY AT ALL ACCESSIBLE OUTLETS. WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW COMPANIES THAT REMOVE THE COVER FROM THE ELECTRICAL PANEL TO LOOK FOR:

    A. CORROSION ON WIRES OR IN THE BOX
    B. PROPER GROUNDING OF ELECTRICAL. PANEL
    C. MATCH THE WIRE SIZE TO THE BREAKER
    D. THE AMOUNT OF AMPERAGE ENTERING THE HOUSE
    E. ALUMINUM WIRING
    F. BURNED OR LOOSE WIRES
    G. KNOB & TUBE WIRING
    H. SAFETY CONDITIONS

  • PLUMBING IS EXAMINED FOR:

    A. MAIN WATER LINE ENTERING THE HOUSE (COPPER,GALVANIZED,LEAD,PLASTIC)
    B. CONDITION AND TYPE OF DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY LINES THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE
    C. CONDITION, TYPE AND AGE OF THE HOT WATER HEATER
    D. DRAIN AND WASTE PIPE CONDITION
    E. LOCATION OF MAIN SHUT OFF VALVE
    F. RUST AND CORROSION ON FITTINGS AND VALVES
    G. SEWER GASES ENTERING THE HOUSE

  • WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW COMPANIES THAT OPEN AND EXAMINE THE INSIDE OF THE BOILER / FURNACE AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. WE EXAMINE FOR:

    A. CASING RUST
    B. LEAKY FITTINGS
    C. CRACKED HEAT EXCHANGERS
    D. PROPER FLUE CONNECTIONS
    E. OPERATION OF LOW LEVEL WATER SAFETY SHUT OFF
    F. SAFE FLUE CONNECTIONS
    G. PROPER OPERATION
    H. ZONE VALVES
    I. IMPROPER FLUE PITCH
    J. ASBESTOS
    F UNDERGROUND ABANDONED OIL STORAGE TANKS

  • THE EXTERIOR EXAMINATION CONSISTS OF:

    A. ROOF AGE, FLEXIBILITY, NUMBER OF LAYERS AND OVER ALL CONDITION. THE
    B. ROOF IN MOST CASES IS WALKED. AGE, CONDITION ACCESS AND SAFETY ARE FACTORS.
    C. SIDING CONDITION (ROT, HOLES ETC.) POSSIBLE ASBESTOS CEMENT SHINGLES
    D. GUTTERS AND LEADERS CONDITION AND DRAINAGE
    E. LANDSCAPE GRADING (PROPER SOIL PITCH AND DRAINAGE)
    F PAINT CONDITION
    G. CONDITION OF WALKS AND DRIVEWAY
    H. CONDITION OF STOOPS AND DECKS (STRUCTURAL EVALUATION ALSO APPLIES)
    I. CONDITION AND LOCATION OF OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL ENTRANCE CABLE
    J. TERMITES