What exactly IS a Home Inspection?
The best way to describe a Home Inspector is to compare him to your Family Doctor or General Practitioner. A home inspector can make a diagnosis and offer suggestions for fixing the problem, and much like your family doctor, he will refer you to a specialist if the problem is beyond the scope of his knowledge or expertise.
For instance, if your home inspector encounters a structural issue that he's never seen before, he may refer you to a structural engineer...someone who is specifically trained in that niche. If the inspector is not SURE that a chimney is safe, he may point you to a chimney sweep, who is trained to evaluate that particular component for safety.
Here's what MOST home inspectors will inspect:
- roof, vents, flashings and trim;
gutters and downspouts;
skylight, chimney and other roof penetrations;
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decks, stoops, porches, walkways and railings;
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eaves, soffit and fascia;
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grading and drainage;
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basement, foundation and crawlspace;
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water penetration and foundation movement;
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heating systems;
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cooling systems;
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main water shut-off valves;
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water heating system;
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interior plumbing fixtures and faucets;
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drainage sump pumps with accessible floats;
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electrical service line and meter box;
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main disconnect and service amperage;
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electrical panels, breakers and fuses;
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grounding and bonding;
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GFCIs and AFCIs;
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fireplace damper door and hearth;
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insulation and ventilation;
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garage doors, safety sensors and openers;
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and much more.
Different inspectors adhere to different Standards of Practice
depending upon which professional inspection organization he or she belongs to. When hiring a home inspector, be sure to secure a printed copy of the Standards of Practice by which your home will be inspected.
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