The Ins and Outs of a Home Inspection

By James Lowes

Whether you are looking to buy or looking to have your home evaluated for structural stability and general functionality, you will likely want to have a professional home inspector conduct a series of examinations of the household’s fixtures, appliances, and overall framework.

Commonly, a home inspector will begin the assessment by carefully looking over the home’s foundation, basement, roof, flooring and walls. Expect all windows, doors, crawl spaces, porches, decks and any adjacent buildings to be carefully analyzed for flaws and overall areas in need of repair.

A home’s foundation is an extremely important area of concern for would be buyers. Why? Because a strong foundation keeps your home above ground, while preventing any unwanted movement caused by shifts in the earth below. A sound foundation protects a home from the cold, and if a foundation is cracked, it can allow moisture and the cold to seep through causing mold and a lack of energy efficiency.

Almost as equally as important as the home’s foundation is its roof, and for obvious reasons – it keeps rain out! A home inspector will carefully examine a home’s roof to ensure: it is up to code by analyzing the slope to make sure water doesn’t gather in any areas; there is no obvious water damage to the plywood beneath the shingles; and most importantly that there is no leaks.

The overall structure – wall studs, ceiling beams, and roof rafters, in the home is rather important; as this is the home’s backbone, which carries and supports a considerable amount of the home’s weight. A common occurrence in many houses, as a result of foundation shifting, are cracks in ceilings and walls. These mishaps can be minor and easily repaired but at times, they can be cause for major rehabilitation; often at a high expense.

When an inspector looks over the home’s exterior, the well-trained eye will carefully observe gradient areas in the landscaping and along walkways to make sure water will properly flow away from the home during heavy rains. The inspector will also look for trees or shrubs that may be too close to the house, which may be causing damage, or may cause future damage. Other areas of a home’s exterior, which frequently need to be repaired or serviced, are rain gutters, cracked sidewalks and driveways, exterior water damage, water leaks, sprinkler issues, and rust buildups.

Following a thorough investigation of the home’s exterior, a home inspector will prepare to check the home’s interior. An interior inspection consists of checking for obvious damage – water damage, wall and ceiling damage, and the condition of the flooring throughout the house. While inside, the inspector will quickly assess the home’s heating, air-conditioning and its airflow. Windows, doors, cabinets and closets will often be checked to see that they function properly; and kitchen and bathroom sinks will be checked for any signs of leakage. A quick check of the plumbing and electrical systems are also needed to determine any potential problems; i.e. light fixtures, fans, electrical outlets, clogged sinks and toilets.

Whether purchasing a new or used home it is always recommended that you hire a qualified home inspector to meticulously assess what will likely be one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make. If buying a newly constructed home, be sure to have it inspected too; as new homes can also experience ill-fated circumstances, e.g. leaking pipes, poorly installed insulation, cracked foundations, and many other structural issues frequently associated with preexisting homes.