One of the least glamorous, but most important part of the inspection, is the attic. The attic holds the key for many critical components of the home including structure and energy efficiency. Although, an exterior inspection of the roof is critical, an inspection of the attic can provide additional evidence of current or past water entry that may not be evident anywhere else in the house. Since most homeowners rarely visit the attic, there may be unknown issues present in the attic which need to be addressed. Remember, one of the biggest complaints against home inspectors is missed roof leaks. Though both the exterior and attic inspections of the roof are considered essential, a good home inspector knows that quality information on the roofs’ condition can be obtained during the attic inspection. Attic Access The standard requires that the attic access type be identified. Most typical are pull down ladders, scuttle holes, stairs and door access. Some attics can be walked and others, due to construction or stored material, must be inspected from the furnace platform or the top of the ladder. Regardless, the means used must be identified and the reason why the inspector did not walk through the attic must be noted. Attic areas that are not accessible must also be identified on the report. Information gathered in…[Read More]
A Home Inspector’s Role Series – #6 The Electrical Inspection of a Home
As you can imagine, a thorough home inspection involves parts of the home which are much more technical than others. When you think about the many intricate aspects of the electrical, plumbing and HVAC components, you realize a home inspector has to be at the top of his game. If there is a defect or deficiency in any of these areas, it is almost always based on trade codes and standards. The inspector is not performing a code compliance inspection, but will point out any deficiencies defined in that particular code for that category. For example, an inspector may note a missing cover from a junction box which is considered a potential safety or fire issue by the National Electrical Code. All junction boxes must have covers. Keep in mind that during the electrical part of the inspection, the inspector is at risk for serious electrical shock hazards as well. That is another reason why you should secure only a qualified professional home inspector to perform any home inspection. If an inspector is not up-to-date on code and safety standards, any missed or improperly identified items can pose a threat to the property’s occupants. The Outside Electrical Inspection Part of the electrical inspection is performed outdoors on the outside of the house. The cable service entrance, coming into the home…[Read More]
What Common Issues Are Revealed During a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are a valuable tool for any home buyer or home seller. As a buyer, you’ll come to the table armed with better information about the condition of the property, and as a seller, you will have the chance to address any repairs which makes for a faster and smoother closing. So what types of issues do home inspectors usually uncover? Below find a list of some common problems that can potentially derail your real estate transaction… Roofing Problems Concerns of a leaking foundation are legitimate, but a leaking roof can potentially cause damage throughout the house. Even minor roof wear and tear such as missing or damaged flashing, missing shingles, or damaged fascia board are reasons to worry. By and large, confirming the need to replace a roof that is approaching the end of its lifespan is the biggest concern to a prospective home buyer. No one wants the expense of replacing the roof right after they purchase a new home. Unsafe Electrical Work Electrical systems can be expensive to repair because sometimes it requires opening up the walls to expose the wiring. As expected, older homes tend to have more electrical issues as a result of improper add-ons to the original system aimed to provide support for new appliances. Deteriorating or rodent-damaged wiring is another problem, as…[Read More]
A Home Inspector’s Role Series – #5 What Inspectors Look For In Garages
Some people may not consider the garage as important as other parts of the house when it comes to performing a home inspection. However, due to safety issues that are inherent in garages, inspecting the garage is key. Garages typically provide the storage space not only for vehicles, but also for lawn mowers, gasoline storage containers, and other lawn or household chemicals. For this discussion we will focus on garages and not carports. A carport must be identified and inspected for the report, but has fewer areas of concern as compared to a garage. During the home inspection, the garage must be identified as either “attached” or “detached”, where it is located adjacent to the house and number of cars it can accommodate. If detached, the roof will also be inspected. The Garage Floor An inspector will check concrete garage floors for any cracking or settling and determine whether or not this is indicative of some type of structural issue. Do the floors slope toward the overhead door? This is important as spilled products or gasoline flow toward the outside and not collect in the garage. Is there “Fire Separation” Between the Garage and the Living Space? Another important aspect of the inspection is to note whether or not there is fire separation between the garage and the living space…[Read More]
