Home Inspections

Many home buyers are unaware of the process that is observed by inspectors when a home inspection is performed. This is usually a necessary condition of the sale and the entire deal can hinge on the inspections outcome. Its important for new home buyers to familiarize themselves with this process as it urges them to become more educated and knowledgeable about the home they are purchasing. In understanding the process, it is necessary to define exactly what a home inspection is, and what an inspector's responsibilities are.

A home inspection is simply a visual inspection of a structure and property, made by a trained and qualified professional. This inspector should be able to accurately assess the condition of a home based on appearance and a walk through. The initial inspection does not involve any intrusive measures, but should identify any intrusive measures that are necessary. It is the responsibility of the inspector to identify things such as any leaks, mold, visual damage, apparent structural damage and any other elements that may affect your decision to purchase the home in question. They should also identify and detail areas that may need repair in the near future, but are not in critical shape.

Every aspect of the home is considered during a proper inspection. The following areas are of critical importance:

1. Chimneys - Older chimneys can be a fire hazard if they have not been up kept properly. They can also be a prime area for leakage if the base flashing was not installed properly. Many things can compromise the safety of a chimney such as damaged fireboxes, damaged brick, cracked flue liners and deteriorated dampers.

2. Electrical - This is one of the most important inspection sites as faulty electrical wiring is the cause of many home fires every year. Inspectors will consider connections at the entry point (overhead wires), the main panel, outlets inside and outside and the service size or rated amperage of the panel. One of the most common problems in the electrical system is DYI wiring jobs. Be sure that the wiring work on your home was done by a certified electrician. That way you can be assured that the work done is up to code, and will not mistakenly overload the circuits.

3. Exterior - The most important aspect of the exterior of the home is whether or not it is watertight. An inspection will consider what kind of sealants were used in construction, the materials used for the outer shell of the home, and what condition these elements are in. Proper inspection will indicate the level of water intrusion and weather wear on the exterior of the home. The most common cause of exterior distress is a lack of maintenance by the owner.

4. Fireplaces - The most common problem with fireplaces is creosote buildup in the flue, firebox deterioration, and improper materials utilized for gas connections and natural gas lines. Also bad connections on gas fireplaces are seen quite often. stereotypically there are fewer problems with closed and contained gas fireplaces than there are with older open wood burning fireplaces.

5. Foundations - The foundation of your home is of paramount importance. A good inspection will ensure that there is no cracking or bowing, that they aren't susceptible to frost-induced uplift or that any other land based concerns like soil erosion or water intrusion. Also the inspection should ensure that and additions to the home have not damaged the foundations in any way.