What does a home inspection Include?
Thermal Imaging used in every inspection!
My Infrared camera helps me see things that other inspectors can't.
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Every home inspection includes a visual examination of the following components.
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Roof:
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the roof-covering materials;
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the gutters;
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the downspouts;
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the vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations; and
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the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.
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Exterior:
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the exterior wall-covering materials;
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the eaves, soffits and fascia;
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a representative number of windows;
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all exterior doors;
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flashing and trim;
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adjacent walkways and driveways;
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stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps;
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porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports;
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railings, guards and handrails; and
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vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture intrusion.
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Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace & Structure:
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the foundation;
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the basement;
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the crawlspace; and
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structural components.
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Heating (during heating season):
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the heating system, using normal operating controls.
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Cooling (during cooling season):
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the cooling system, using normal operating controls.
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Plumbing:
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the main water supply shut-off valve;
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the main fuel supply shut-off valve;
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the water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing;
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interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water;
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all toilets for proper operation by flushing;
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all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage;
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the drain, waste and vent system; and
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drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
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Electrical:
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the service drop;
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the overhead service conductors and attachment point;
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the service head, gooseneck and drip loops;
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the service mast, service conduit and raceway;
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the electric meter and base;
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service-entrance conductors;
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the main service disconnect;
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panelboards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses);
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service grounding and bonding;
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a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)-protected using the AFCI test button, where possible;
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all ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs using a GFCI tester, where possible; and
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for the presence of smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
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Fireplace:
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readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys;
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lintels above the fireplace openings;
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damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable; and
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cleanout doors and frames.
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Attic, Insulation & Ventilation:
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insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas;
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ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas; and
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mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area.
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Doors, Windows & Interior:
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a representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them;
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floors, walls and ceilings;
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stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps;
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railings, guards and handrails; and
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garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.