Although architectural details, wall and floor coverings, contemporary conveniences and many other factors are prominent in the buying decision, the focus of this inspection is on the structural/mechanical/electrical condition of the property.
The inspection is designed to give the real estate agent or prospective purchaser a system to detect some of the facilely accessible major flaws or deficiencies in the important components and systems of a home. It is not designed to, nor does it vocalize to facilitate detection of all flaws, problems or occurrences that might exist in any given home.
DRYWALL SETTLEMENT
To maximize time efficiency and to ensure all of the major sections of the home are take into consideration, we have developed a systematized arrival to the inspection. This is a simplified overview of systems that expert home inspectors use when they are considering a home.
To support you in following the system, we have in case,granted a checklist that will guide you straight through your own inspection.
The Inspection System
The Big Picture
The first step in considering a home is to seek the big photo for the home. observation the area the home is located in. Are there other homes of similar age and building details relative to the home you are inspecting? A comparison will give you a general idea of the upkeep of the home. Have there been important modifications to the face of the building and if so, how is the workmanship?
Exterior
Start at the face front of the house and work your way around the house (clockwise or counter-clockwise) at a length which allows you to view a perfect face comfortably. On each face (front, sides, rear) start your optical inspection at the top of the buildings and work your way down to the ground and lot area. As an example, you would start at the front and note the roof and chimneys, the gutters, fascia and soffits. Then, thoughprovoking down the face wall coverings (brick, wood, aluminum), noting windows, doors, etc. seek any porches or decks down to the foundation, then the grade or slope of the lot area, followed by any coverings, such as flower beds, walkways, interlocking brick, driveways, etc. Move closer to the house, to seek more intimately any details which may have attracted your attention, without skipping any items. Having completed the front, move to the side of the house and start the same procedure (roof to ground).
Interior
On the interior, begin your inspection in the basement and then ensue the system throughout each floor in the house. The system for considering the interior is to begin with the floor, go to the walls and then the ceiling, and then consider any appliances or other items in the room. Move from room to room, always in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) so as to not miss any areas. If you see a door, open it!
In the utility room in the basement, first observation the floor, the walls (possibly the foundation walls are graphic here), then the ceiling (floor joists may be visible), then go to the furnace, hot water heater, electrical panel, plumbing system, etc. When considering the floors, walls and ceilings, scan the whole area that is visible, not just one section.
In a concluded room you would observation the floors, walls (including windows) and ceiling. Next look for the heat sources, electrical outlets and switches, fireplaces, closets etc. In bathroom or kitchen, observation the floor, walls and ceiling, then the plumbing fixtures.
Condition
While performing the inspection, either at the exterior, the interior or one of the mechanical systems, note the system first, then its relative condition. For example, if you were considering a wall on the interior of the home you would first note that the wall is plaster, and then seek the wall for cracks and irregularities.
Problems
The following are some typical problems or occurrences to look for in the major components and systems of the home.
Roof
Is the ridge (peak) showing a sag, or is it right and level?
Is the roof sagging in the middle of the rafters or trusses?
Are there any signs of deterioration of asphalt shingles, such as curling, wasping, broken edges, rounded corners or key holes (slits) becoming wider that normal?
Any loose flashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wall association or elsewhere?
Does the wooden roof deck appear rotten or delaminated under the last row of shingles?
Are there any roof vents visible?
Chimneys
Is the masonry cap cracked or broken?
Are any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar missing?
Is the chimney leaning?
Soffits And Fascia
Note either the soffit and fascia are wood, aluminum or plastic
Any loose or missing sections?
If wood, are there any paint problems? Any graphic rot?
Gutters And Downspouts
Ensure gutters slope down toward downspouts
Any rust or peeling paint?
Apparent leaks or loose/sagging sections?
Are the downspouts extended away from the foundations?
Wall Coverings
Look for missing mortar
Are the bricks flaking or cracking?
Look for loose, missing or rotten siding, deteriorated paint.
Does the siding appear new? Does it hide the foundation wall?
Exterior walls bowed, bulged or leaning?
Windows And Doors
Look for problems with paint or caulking, and rotted wood components.
Are the windows new or older? Are they the original windows?
How old are they?
Porches And Decks
Cracking or flaking masonry?
Check for paint problems, rotted wood, and wood-earth contact.
Note any settlement or disunion from the house.
Inspect the underside, if accessible.
Foundations
Check for cracks, flaking or damaged masonry.
Note any water markings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky substance)
Any bowing, buldging or other irregularities?
Soft mortar?
Lot Area
Does the grade slope away from the house?
Any settled/low areas next to the foundation, or cracked walks/driveway?
Is the asset lower than the street or neighboring properties?
Basement
Note any evidence of water penetration (stains, mildew/odors, effluorescence, loose tiles etc.)
Floors
Check for deteriorated coverings or cracked ceramics.
Any water staining or other damage?
Sloping or sagging?
Walls
Randomly sample to check that the windows and doors work.
Are the walls right vertically and horizontally?
Look for cracked or loose plaster.
Look for stains, corporal damage or previous mend evidence.
Any drywall seams or nails showing?
Ceilings
Check for cracks in the plaster or loose, sagging plaster.
Look for stains, mechanical damage or evidence of previous repair.
Seams or nails showing?
Bathrooms And Kitchens
Check that all fixtures are secure.
Are there any cracks in the fixtures?
Note the conditon of the tiles and caulking in the tub/shower area.
Are the faucets working? Do they leak? sufficient water pressure?
Look for staining and rot under the counter-tops
Randomly sample the operation of the cabinet doors and drawers.
Electro-Mechanical Considerations
Type, style and age of heating & cooling systems. When were they last inspected or serviced?
Type of water supply piping and drains - any graphic rust and corrosion?
Size and age of electical service - are the outlets grounded? graphic wiring in good condtion?
Have there been any upgrades?
Vist our website for a printable Pre-Inspection Checklist
Home Inspection Checklist - Home Inspectors DRYWALL SETTLEMENT
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