What A Home Inspection Includes- Part 1

The Home Components & Structures We Check With A Home Inspection

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.

  1. Roof And Attic (Below)
  2. Interior, Exterior, Windows, And Doors (Below)
  3. Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure (Below)
  4. Electrical (Included in Part 2)
  5. HVAC, Heating And Cooling (Included in Part 2)
  6. Plumbing (Included in Part 3)
  7. Fireplace (Included in Part 3)

Parts 1, 2 & 3 are on three separate pages.

Part 1 of our “What A Home Inspection Includes” informational series covers Section 1, Roof And Attic, Section 2, Interior, Exterior, Windows, And Doors, and Section 3, Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure.
Part 2 covers Section 4, Electrical, and Section 5, HVAC, Heating And Cooling.
Part 3 covers Section 6, Plumbing, and Section 7, Fireplace.

Our standard practice home inspection covers nearly 2,000 items

Home Inspection Standards Of Practice

1. Roof

Roof

The inspector shall inspect from ground level or the eaves:

  • the roof-covering materials;
  • the gutters;
  • the downspouts;
  • the vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations; and
  • the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.

The inspector shall describe:

  • the type of roof-covering materials.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  • observed indications of active roof leaks.

The inspector is not required to:

  • walk on any roof surface.
  • predict the service life expectancy.
  • inspect underground downspout diverter drainage pipes.
  • remove snow, ice, debris or other conditions that prohibit the observation of the roof surfaces.
  • move insulation.
  • inspect antennae, satellite dishes, lightning arresters, de-icing equipment, or similar attachments.
  • walk on any roof areas that appear, in the inspector’s opinion, to be unsafe.
  • walk on any roof areas if doing so might, in the inspector’s opinion, cause damage.
  • perform a water test.
  • warrant or certify the roof.
  • confirm proper fastening or installation of any roof-covering material.

Attic, Insulation, And Ventilation

The inspector shall inspect:

  • insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics,
  • crawlspaces and foundation areas;
  • ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics,
  • crawlspaces and foundation areas; and
  • mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area.

The inspector shall describe:

  • the type of insulation observed; and
  • the approximate average depth of insulation observed at the unfinished attic floor area or roof structure.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  • the general absence of insulation or ventilation in unfinished spaces.

The inspector is not required to:

  • enter the attic or any unfinished spaces that are not readily accessible, or where entry could cause damage or, in the inspector’s opinion, pose a safety hazard.
  • move, touch or disturb insulation.
  • move, touch or disturb vapor retarders.
  • break or otherwise damage the surface finish or weather seal on or around access panels or covers.
  • identify the composition or R-value of insulation material.
  • activate thermostatically operated fans.
  • determine the types of materials used in insulation or wrapping of pipes, ducts, jackets, boilers or wiring.
  • determine the adequacy of ventilation.

2. Interior, Exterior, Windows And Doors

Doors, Windows, And Interior

The inspector shall inspect:

  • a representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them;
  • floors, walls and ceilings;
  • stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps;
  • railings, guards and handrails; and
  • garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.

The inspector shall describe:

  • a garage vehicle door as manually-operated or installed with a garage door opener.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  • improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails for steps, stairways, guards and railings;
  • photo-electric safety sensors that did not operate properly; and
  • any window that was obviously fogged or displayed other evidence of broken seals.

The inspector is not required to:

  • inspect paint, wallpaper, window treatments or finish treatments.
  • inspect floor coverings or carpeting.
  • inspect central vacuum systems.
  • inspect for safety glazing.
  • inspect security systems or components.
  • evaluate the fastening of islands, countertops, cabinets, sink tops or fixtures.
  • move furniture, stored items, or any coverings, such as carpets or rugs, in order to inspect the concealed floor structure.
  • move suspended-ceiling tiles.
  • inspect or move any household appliances.
  • inspect or operate equipment housed in the garage, except as otherwise noted.
  • verify or certify the proper operation of any pressure-activated auto-reverse or related safety feature of a garage door.
  • operate or evaluate any security bar release and opening mechanisms, whether interior or exterior, including their
  • compliance with local, state or federal standards.
  • operate any system, appliance or component that requires the use of special keys, codes, combinations or devices.
  • operate or evaluate self-cleaning oven cycles, tilt guards/latches, or signal lights.
  • inspect microwave ovens or test leakage from microwave ovens.
  • operate or examine any sauna, steam-generating equipment, kiln, toaster, ice maker, coffee maker, can opener, bread warmer,
  • blender, instant hot-water dispenser, or other small, ancillary appliances or devices.
  • inspect elevators.
  • inspect remote controls.
  • inspect appliances.
  • inspect items not permanently installed.
  • discover firewall compromises.
  • inspect pools, spas or fountains.
  • determine the adequacy of whirlpool or spa jets, water force, or bubble effects.
  • determine the structural integrity or leakage of pools or spas.

Exterior

The inspector shall inspect:

  • the exterior wall-covering materials;
  • the eaves, soffits and fascia;
  • a representative number of windows;
  • all exterior doors;
  • flashing and trim;
  • adjacent walkways and driveways;
  • stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps;
  • porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports;
  • railings, guards and handrails; and
  • vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due
  • to moisture intrusion.

The inspector shall describe:

  • the type of exterior wall-covering materials.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  • any improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails.

The inspector is not required to:

  • inspect or operate screens, storm windows, shutters, awnings, fences, outbuildings, or exterior accent lighting.
  • inspect items that are not visible or readily accessible from the ground, including window and door flashing.
  • inspect or identify geological, geotechnical, hydrological or soil conditions.
  • inspect recreational facilities or playground equipment.
  • inspect seawalls, breakwalls or docks.
  • inspect erosion-control or earth-stabilization measures.
  • inspect for safety-type glass.
  • inspect underground utilities.
  • inspect underground items.
  • inspect wells or springs.
  • inspect solar, wind or geothermal systems.
  • inspect swimming pools or spas.
  • inspect wastewater treatment systems, septic systems or cesspools.
  • inspect irrigation or sprinkler systems.
  • inspect drain fields or dry wells.
  • determine the integrity of multiple-pane window glazing or thermal window seals.

3. Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure

Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure

The inspector shall inspect:

  • the foundation;
  • the basement;
  • the crawlspace; and
  • structural components.

The inspector shall describe:

  • the type of foundation; and
  • the location of the access to the under-floor space.

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  • observed indications of wood in contact with or near soil;
  • observed indications of active water penetration;
  • observed indications of possible foundation movement, such as sheet-rock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, and un-level floors; and
  • any observed cutting, notching and boring of framing members that may, in the inspector’s opinion, present a structural or safety concern.

The inspector is not required to:

  • enter any crawlspace that is not readily accessible, or where entry could cause damage or pose a hazard to him/herself.
  • move stored items or debris.
  • operate sump pumps with inaccessible floats.
  • identify the size, spacing, span or location or determine the adequacy of foundation bolting, bracing, joists, joist spans or support systems.
  • provide any engineering or architectural service.
  • report on the adequacy of any structural system or component.
  1. Roof And Attic (Above)
  2. Interior, Exterior, Windows, And Doors (Above)
  3. Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace, And Structure (Above)
  4. Electrical (Included in Part 2 on a separate page)
  5. HVAC, Heating And Cooling (Included in Part 2 on a separate page)
  6. Plumbing (Included in Part 3 on a separate page)
  7. Fireplace (Included in Part 3 on a separate page)