GETTING TO KNOW YOUR HOME

Retaining the services of a professional home inspector to inspect your potential purchase will save you money at the closing table. Identifying defects and pointing out costly repairs will give you bargaining leverage as well as save you from costly, and untimely repairs. You would not like to find out two months after you moved into your dream house that it was going to take two or three thousand dollars to repair your heating system.
Understanding your home enough to know when routine maintenance needs to be done will save you from untimely and costly repairs, not to mention protect your investment.
Understanding your home will also help you as a seller. If you are prepared for a home inspection before you have a potential buyer send out his/hers home inspector, you will find out this, too, will save you time and money at closing.
The following inspection outline is aimed at providing you, the homeowner with an introduction to the basic knowledge of what a home inspection consists. This outline is not intended to accomplish a complete or thorough inspection of your home, but to give you the basic knowledge to investigate your home from a technical viewpoint.

I hope this exercise will help you understand and prepare for a home inspection, as well as gain the understanding of residential care and maintenance.


FOUNDATIONS and BASEMENTS

1- Check for signs of insect infestation
2- Check grading to assure water will drain away from the foundation
3- Check basement or crawl space for dampness following wet weather
4- Check foundation walls for cracks (horizontal or vertical)

EXRERIOR WALLS

1- Check masonry for cracks and missing mortar
2- Check wood siding for decay and paint failure
3- Check vinyl or aluminum siding for loose or missing pieces
4- Check fascias and soffits for paint failure


ROOF

1- From the ground, check for damaged or missing shingles
2- Check for damaged flashing
3- Check gutters for damage and make sure they are attached properly
4- Check downspouts to make sure that they are attached and running water away from the foundation
5- Check vent louvres for bird nests or other obstructions
6- Check for chimney caps

SITE

1- Check to make sure window wells and storm drains are free of debris
2- Check for drips at outside hose bibs
3- Check driveways and sidewalks for cracks and settling
4- Check for any wood surfaces that are in contact with the soil
5- Check for tree limbs on the power lines that enter the house

DOORS and WINDOWS

1- Check for damaged screens and broken glass
2- Check caulking at doors and windows
3- Check doors and windows for operable latches
4- Check auto-reverse on electric garage door openers

INTERIOR SURFACES

1- Check for cracks in walls and ceilings
2- Check for water stains on walls and ceilings

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

1- Check for any leaking handles or faucets
2- Check drains that drain slow
3- Check for leaks under sinks
4- Check shower diverter
5- Check water heater for leaks and rust


HEATING and COOLING

1- Clean or change furnace filter
2- Remove clutter from around the furnace
3- Check the outside AC unit to make sure the area around it is free of bushes or other obstructions


ELECTRICAL

1- Check for missing or broken switch or receptacle covers
2- Check for covers on all junction boxes
3- Check for GFCI receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, and out side receptacles

4- Locate the main service panel and remove any obstructions


We encourage you to care for your home and respect the initiative of do-it-yourselfers. We do not advocate that maintenance be performed by anyone who is not capable and comfortable doing so. If you are unsure of your ability to perform needed maintenance on your home, seek the services of professionals.