Home Inspection Checklist

We will also finish our inspection with a look in the attic and the fireplace if you have one.  We will look at:

Fireplace
· The fireplace and open and close the damper door, if readily accessible and operable
· The hearth extensions and permanently installed components
· Report as in need of repair deficiencies in the lintel, hearth or material surrounding the fireplace, including the fireplace opening’s and clearance from visible combustible materials.

Attic, Ventilation & Insulation
· Insulation in unfinished spaces
· The ventilation of attic spaces
· The mechanical ventilation systems
· Inspect the condition of roof trusses
· Inspect for open electric boxes or open wiring
· Report on the general absence or lack of insulation in unfinished spaces.

Home Inspection Checklist - Plumbing

It is important to be sure that the plumbing in your new home does not have any plumbing issues, especially since many of these can be beneath or behind walls, ceilings, or floors.  We will check:

Plumbing
· Determine whether the water supply is public or private
· Verify the presence of and identify the location of the main water shut-off valve
· Inspect the water heating equipment, including venting bracing
· Verify the presence or absence of temperature- and pressure-relief valves and/or Watts 210 valves
· Inspect the condition and operation of the toilets and other fixtures
· Water-test sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage
· Interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets
· The drain, waste and vent systems, including all shut-off valves and fixtures;describe any visible fuel storage systems
· Drains and sump pumps and test pumps with accessible floats
· Inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow of the home fixtures
· Inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the installation and identification of hot and cold faucets
· Inspect and report as in need of repair mechanical drain stops that are missing or do not operate if installed in sinks, lavatories and tubs
· Inspect and report as in need of repair commodes that have cracks in the ceramic material, are improperly mounted on the floor, leak, or have tank components that do not operate

Home Inspection Checklist - Windows & Doors

When looking at your windows, doors, and interior, Carnes Home Inspections will closely examine:

Doors, Windows & Interior
· The operation of a representative number of doors
· The walls, ceiling, steps, stairways and railings
· Report as in need of repair any spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles or rails for steps, stairways and railings
· Inspect garage doors and garage door openers by operating first by remote (if available), and then by the installed automatic door control
· Report as in need of repair any installed electronic sensors that are not operable or not installed at the proper height above the garage floor
· Report as in need of repair any door locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled when the garage door opener is in use and report as in need of repair any windows that are obviously fogged or display other evidence of broken seals.

Home Inspection Checklist - Electric and HVAC

Another part of our home inspection process takes a look at the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (also referred to as HVAC) as well as the electrical components of your home.  A few things we look for include:

Heating & Cooling
· The heating system, using normal operating controls, and describe the energy source and heating method and report as in need of repair a heating system that does not operate
· Report if the heating system is deemed inaccessible
· The central cooling equipment, using normal operating controls.

Electrical
· the service drop/lateral
· The meter socket enclosures
· The means for disconnecting the service main and describe the service disconnect amperage rating, if labeled
· The panelboards and overcurrent devices (breakers and fuses)
· The service grounding and bonding
· A representative number of switches, lighting fixtures and receptacles, including receptacles viewed and deemed to be AFCI-protected
· Test all GFCI receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs
· Service entrance conductors and conductor insulation
· Service entrance cables
· Any unused circuit breaker panel openings that are not filled
· Inspect for the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring, if readily visible
· Any tested receptacles in which power was not present, the polarity was incorrect, the receptacle was not grounded or secured to the wall, the cover was not in place, the GFCI devices were not properly installed or did not operate properly, and evidence of arcing or excessive heat
· The presence of smoke detectors
· Any deficiencies in the integrity of the insulation, drip loop, or separation of conductors at weather heads and clearances from grade or rooftops, as they may require repair.

Want more information about what we look for?  Check out our home inspection checklist!

Home Inspection Checklist - Basement

Buying, building, or selling a home with a basement anytime soon?  Our inspection process closely examines basements to look at:

Basement, Foundation & Crawlspace
· Basement
· Foundation
· Crawlspace
· Visible structural components
· Wood in contact with or near soil
· Report on the location of under-floor access openings
· Report any present conditions or clear indications of active water penetration observed
· Report any general indications of foundation movement that are observed, such as, but not limited to: sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, or floor slopes
· Report on any cutting, notching or boring of framing members that may present a structural or safety concern.

More information about our Home Inspection Checklist can be found on our website.

Home Inspection Checklist - Exterior

Do you know what to look for in a home inspection?  It is important to know what you are getting when you purchase a home.  When we perform a home inspection we begin with the exterior of the home.  A few things we will examine on the exterior include:

Exterior
· Siding, flashing and trim.
· All exterior doors, decks, stoops, steps, stairs, porches, railings, eaves, soffits and fasciae
· Vegetation, surface drainage, and retaining walls when these are likely to adversely affect the structure
· Report as in need of repair any spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles or rails for steps, stairways, balconies or railings that permit the passage of an object greater than 4 inches in diameter
· Inspect a representative number of windows
· Describe the exterior wall covering.

Roof
· Roof Covering
· Gutters
· Downspouts
· Vents, flashings, skylights, chimney and other roof penetrations
· The general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.

You can find more information on our Home Inspection Checklist page on the Carnes Home Inspection Website

Home Inspection Checklist

Your home inspection should give you peace of mind about the house you are purchasing. Home inspections can check for a multitude of problems or even potential problems.

Here is a brief list of what to look for in a home inspection or what I will inspect:

• Exterior

• Roof

• Basement, foundation, crawlspace

• Heating and Cooling

• Electric

• Doors, windows, interior

• Plumbing

• Fireplace

• Attic, ventilation, insulation

If you would like more detailed information about each of these areas, please check out my Home Inspection Checklist page on our Carnes Home Inspection website.