Home Inspection Guide – What You Must Look For in One

If you are all set to buy your dream home or are in the process of doing a home remodeling or renovation project, you are likely to find the necessity for support in figuring which is right or wrong with the home you are planning to purchase, or renovate or repair.

The good news is that there is a long list of experts who are familiar with the critical elements and best practices that make homes safe and sound. There are several groups of building inspection specialists who work for local building departments and monitor the quality and state of home and commercial building improvements. Their main responsibility is to ensure that all home improvement projects will be up to minimum building safety standards. Another group of inspection specialists are hired by buyers to screen and evaluate the general state of home properties in order to identify issues and problems that are present.

Notwithstanding the presence of competent and professional home inspection specialists, it is still essential that you have a basic understanding of the nuances of home inspection. There are certain aspects of the home property that you need to check before you decide to hire the services of a professional home inspection specialist.

1. Home Structure - You must look at the home property from a reasonable distance. Look at the general appearance of the exterior walls. Do they appear flat and plumb? From inside, examine closely the walls if it is bowed at the corners. Check the overall state of the floor. Does it feel solid or not?
2. Roof - Check the overall condition of the roof of the property. Is it new and in a good state?
3. Rainwater Control - Determine if the gutters, eave troughs, down spouts and drain pipes carry rain water away from the property? Check if there is a potential problem of flooding in the basement. Look for traces or indication of water damage.
4. Finishing Details - Check for distinct signs of good workmanship in the finishing details of the home property. These shall include the tile work, paint, hardware and moldings.
5. Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures - Determine whether the toilets, sinks and tubs are of good quality or not? Are they working properly? Check the water pressure by turning on the faucets and flushing the toilet.
6. Home Electrical System - Assess whether the location and number of receptacles are adequate to the needs of the home or not? Check the main circuit breaker; it should be at least 100 amps.
7. Water Heating and Plumbing System - Determine if the water heater is electric or gas, as the latter is more efficient. The water supply pipes that supply water to fixtures must be made of copper.
8. Heating System - You must consider the location of the heater or furnace. It is also important to consider the type of heater or furnace. Assess if the registers appear adequate for heating the home interior. Check if the property is air-conditioned or not.
9. Fireplace - Is the fireplace outfitted with glass doors or screens? Glass doors are considered more efficient than screens. Check the log lighters and dampers. Determine if there is a combustion vent that is capable in drawing air from the outside. It is also essential that the fireplace is outfitted with spark arrestor at the upper portion of the chimney.
10. Home Insulation - Look at the attic to inspect the kind of insulation that the home property has. R-19 is the minimum standard for homes in areas with moderate climates. On the other hand, R-38 is usually required in homes located in areas that experience cold climates. You also have to remove the receptacle cover of the perimeter wall to assess the overall state of the wall insulation.

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