What A Home Inspection Includes- Part 3
The Home Components & Structures We Check With A Home Inspection
Parts 1, 2 & 3 are on three separate pages.
Part 3 of our “What A Home Inspection Includes” informational series covers Section 6, Plumbing, and Section 7, Fireplace.
Part 1 covered Section 1, Roof And Attic, Section 2, Interior, Exterior, Windows, And Doors, and Section 3, Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure.
Part 2 covered Section 4, Electrical, and Section 5, HVAC, Heating And Cooling.
Our residential home inspection entails a comprehensive evaluation of the visible and readily accessible areas of a home. The home inspection is non-invasive, and the visual inspection of the structure and its components is conducted by Andrew Tewson, Slopeside Home Inspections’ certified and licensed professional, who will look for defects and issues with the structure and its components, then provide you with a same-day digital PDF report for your records.
Andrew will inspect the roof, attic, ventilation, and insulation. Andrew will inspect the interior doors, windows, floors, walls, ceilings, and stairs. Andrew will inspect the exterior doors, windows, decks, and cladding. Andrew will inspect the foundation, basement and crawlspaces. Andrew will inspect the electrical system and built-in electrical components, including built-in appliances. Andrew will inspect the HVAC, heating and cooling systems. Andrew will inspect the plumbing system. Andrew will inspect the fireplaces and wood stoves. Andrew will include thermal imaging, if it is needed. In all, Andrew will inspect nearly 2,000 items comprised in the structure and components of the home. Below, is a list of the seven home components and structure categories that Slopeside Home Inspections will inspect, a list drawn from InterNACHI’s Nome Inspection Standards Of Practice, InterNACHI being the world’s leading association of home inspectors, through whom Andrew Tewson was trained and is certified to conduct home inspections.
- Roof And Attic (Included in Part 1)
- Interior, Exterior, Windows, And Doors (Included in Part 1)
- Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure (Included in Part 1)
- Electrical (Included in Part 2)
- HVAC, Heating And Cooling (Included In Part 2)
- Plumbing (Below)
- Fireplace (Below)
Our standard practice home inspection covers nearly 2,000 items
Home Inspection Standards Of Practice
6. Plumbing
Plumbing
The inspector shall inspect:
- the main water supply shut-off valve;
- the main fuel supply shut-off valve;
- the water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing;
- interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water;
- all toilets for proper operation by flushing;
- all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage;
- the drain, waste and vent system; and
- drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
The inspector shall describe:
- whether the water supply is public or private based upon observed evidence;
- the location of the main water supply shut-off valve;
- the location of the main fuel supply shut-off valve;
- the location of any observed fuel-storage system; and
- the capacity of the water heating equipment, if labeled.
The inspector shall report as in need of correction:
- deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously;
- deficiencies in the installation of hot and cold water faucets;
- active plumbing water leaks that were observed during the inspection; and
- toilets that were damaged, had loose connections to the floor, were leaking, or had tank components that did not operate.
The inspector is not required to:
- light or ignite pilot flames.
- measure the capacity, temperature, age,
- life expectancy or adequacy of the water heater.
- inspect the interior of flues or chimneys, combustion air systems, water softener or filtering systems, well pumps or tanks, safety or shut-off valves, floor
- drains, lawn sprinkler systems, or fire sprinkler systems.
- determine the exact flow rate, volume, pressure, temperature or adequacy of the water supply.
- determine the water quality, potability or reliability of the water supply or source.
- open sealed plumbing access panels.
- inspect clothes washing machines or their connections.
- operate any valve.
- test shower pans, tub and shower surrounds or enclosures for leakage or functional overflow protection.
- evaluate the compliance with conservation, energy or building standards, or the proper design or sizing of any water, waste or venting components, fixtures or piping.
- determine the effectiveness of anti-siphon, back-flow prevention or drain-stop devices.
- determine whether there are sufficient clean-outs for effective cleaning of drains.
- evaluate fuel storage tanks or supply systems.
- inspect wastewater treatment systems.
- inspect water treatment systems or water filters.
- inspect water storage tanks, pressure pumps, or bladder tanks.
- evaluate wait time to obtain hot water at fixtures, or perform testing of any kind to water heater elements.
- evaluate or determine the adequacy of combustion air.
- test, operate, open or close: safety controls, manual stop valves, temperature/pressure-relief valves, control valves, or check valves.
- examine ancillary or auxiliary systems or components, such as, but not limited to, those related to solar water heating and hot water circulation.
- determine the existence or condition of polybutylene, polyethylene, or similar plastic piping.
- inspect or test for gas or fuel leaks, or indications thereof.
7. Fireplace
Fireplace
The inspector shall inspect:
- readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys;
- lintels above the fireplace openings;
- damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable; and
- cleanout doors and frames.
The inspector shall describe:
- the type of fireplace.
The inspector shall report as in need of correction:
- evidence of joint separation, damage or deterioration of the hearth, hearth extension or chambers;
- manually operated dampers that did not open and close;
- the lack of a smoke detector in the same room as the fireplace;
- the lack of a carbon-monoxide detector in the same room as the fireplace; and
- cleanouts not made of metal, pre-cast cement, or other non-combustible material.
The inspector is not required to:
- inspect the flue or vent system.
- inspect the interior of chimneys or flues, fire doors or screens, seals or gaskets, or mantels.
- determine the need for a chimney sweep.
- operate gas fireplace inserts.
- light pilot flames.
- determine the appropriateness of any installation.
- inspect automatic fuel-fed devices.
- inspect combustion and/or make-up air devices.
- inspect heat-distribution assists, whether gravity-controlled or fan-assisted.
- ignite or extinguish fires.
- determine the adequacy of drafts or draft characteristics.
- move fireplace inserts, stoves or firebox contents.
- perform a smoke test.
- dismantle or remove any component.
- perform a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-style inspection.
- perform a Phase I home inspection for fireplace and chimney.
What Is In A Home Inspection (Contents)
- Roof And Attic (Included in Part 1 on a separate page)
- Interior, Exterior, Windows, And Doors (Included in Part 1 on a separate page)
- Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure (Included in Part 1 on a separate page)
- Electrical (Included in Part 2 on a separate page)
- HVAC, Heating And Cooling (Included In Part 2 on a separate page)
- Plumbing (Above)
- Fireplace (Above)