Grounds:

Checking the exterior grounds of your home is the first part of the inspection. Proper drainage, structural integrity, sidewalks, and driveways are just a few of the many items observed. Up close, many things on a house may seem okay but it can be an entirely different picture when the house is observed from farther away.

Roof:

Afraid of heights? Don’t worry, Bruce isn’t. Inspecting your roof is one of the most important parts of your inspection. Water might be the key to life but it can be death to a home so Bruce will inspect the overall integrity of your roof including shingles, flashings, chimneys, vents, gutter, and downspouts. Keeping water out of your home is one of the most important roles a homeowner can take.

Exterior walls:

You might love the color of the siding on your new home but Bruce will be looking far beyond just color. He wants to know if the siding is installed properly. Are joints caulked and flashings installed per standard practices? Are trees and shrubs trimmed in a manner as to not cause damage to the house? Are there visible structural cracks or bowing walls that should be investigated farther from the inside.

Door and Windows:

Part of the Standard Operating Practices (SOP) for a Home Inspector is to examine all exterior doors and a representative number of interior doors and windows. Do they seal properly when closed? Do they open and close properly? Do any window panes show signs of fogging or other evidence of broken seals? These are very important parts of what is called the “building envelop”.

Decks:

Because decks appear to be simple to build, many do-it yourself types tackle these projects without a full understanding of proper installation. A deck must be designed to support the weight of people, snow loads, and objects. Since most deck failures are caused by the ledger board pulling away from the house, we’ll want to make sure this very important component is designed and assembled properly. We’ll also want to make sure railings and stairs are built to protect small children and pets.

Kitchen:

Do the appliances come with the house? If so, we’ll want to check their proper operation as well. We’ll also want to make sure the plumbing and electrical aspects of the kitchen are in working order. Checking for properly operating GFCI’s, signs of current or past plumbing leaks, and cabinetry issues are just a few of the many items involved in a kitchen inspection.

Bathrooms:

Although this isn’t one of the most glamorous parts of the home inspection, it certainly is one of the most important. How the bathroom fixtures operate can tell us a lot about the integrity and functionality of the overall plumbing system. We’ll also be looking for proper venting, signs of plumbing leaks, properly operating GFCI’s and much more.

Electrical:

Electricians are some of the highest trained trades in the construction industry with good reason. A properly installed electrical system is not only efficient, but most importantly, it is safe. We’ll be looking for signs of shoddy workmanship hidden behind the electrical panel and throughout the house.

Heating Systems:

We’ll check to make sure the system operates using normal operating controls and we’ll discuss both the age and efficiency of the heating system since heating cost play a major role in your household budget. Let’s also talk about furnace filters while we’re there.

Cooling Systems:

As long as outdoor ambient temperatures are above 65 degrees, we’ll be able to test the cooling systems for proper operation. Starting a cooling system when temperatures are below 65 may damage the equipment.

Water Heater:

Not everyone is aware of how dangerous an improperly installed water heater can be. Water heaters are provided with what is called a Temperature & Pressure relief valve to prevent the heater from becoming a pressurized “bomb” upon a mechanical failure of the heating source. Rest assured, we’ll be looking very closely at this appliance to ensure proper installation and operation.

Plumbing System:

Properly operating plumbing systems are carefully designed and installed to ensure functionality. Big box stores have unfortunately made many homeowners “weekend plumbers” which can be a real disaster. We’ll be looking for improper installations and poor workmanship that could cause problems for you down the road.

Attics:

Many people don’t like to venture into this dark and spooky part of their home. Don’t worry, Bruce will! Attics can tell us a lot about the home so failing to inspect here is a real disservice to the future owner. We want to check for all kinds of issues including proper ventilation, framing issues, signs of roof leaks, open electrical boxes, insulation, and signs of an unwelcome varmint, just to name a few.