What's Inspected During A Home Inspection

SECTION 1 – Foundation, Basement, and Under-floor Area

Items to be inspected:

1. Foundation system
2. Floor framing system
3. Under-floor ventilation
4. Foundation anchoring and cripple wall bracing
5. Wood separation from soil
6. Insulation

SECTION 2 – Exterior

Items to be inspected:

1. Surface grade directly adjacent to the buildings
2. Doors and windows
3. Attached decks, porches, patios, balconies, stairways, and their enclosures
4. Wall cladding and trim
5. Portions of walkways and driveways that are adjacent to the buildings

SECTION 3 – Roof Covering

Items to be inspected:

1. Covering
2. Drainage
3. Flashing
4. Penetrations
5. Skylights

SECTION 4 – Attic Areas and Roof Framing

Items to be inspected:

1. Framing
2. Ventilation
3. Insulation

SECTION 5 – Plumbing

Items to be inspected:

1. Water supply piping
2. Drain, waste, and vent piping
3. Faucets and fixtures
4. Fuel gas piping
5. Water heaters
6. Functional flow and functional drainage

SECTION 6 – Electrical

Items to be inspected:

1. Service equipment
2. Electrical panels
3. Circuit wiring
4. Switches, receptacles, outlets, and lighting fixtures

SECTION 7 – Heating and Cooling

Items to be inspected:

1. Heating equipment
2. Central cooling equipment
3. Energy Source and connections
4. Combustion air and exhaust vent systems
5. Condensate drainage

SECTION 8 – Fireplaces and Chimneys

Items to be inspected:

1. Chimney exterior
2. Spark arrestor
3. Firebox
4. Damper
5. Hearth Extension

SECTION 9 – Building Interior

Items to be inspected:

1. Walls, ceilings, and floors
2. Doors and windows
3. Stairways, handrails, and guardrails
4. Permanently installed cook-tops, mechanical range vents, ovens, dishwashers, and food waste disposers
5. Absence of smoke alarms
6. Vehicle doors and openers

Conditioned air distribution systems