THINGS INSPECTED; [from Standards of Practice; www.Nachi.org/SOP]
[what is NOT inspected at end of this list is VERY important!]
-Roofing+; -materials, slope, visible structure and decking [from attic], flashings, vents, chimneys, skylights, roofing equipment, gutters, downspouts & leaders at the bottom.
-Exterior of Home; -siding, flashing, trim, exterior doors, decks, stoops, stairs, porches, railings, eaves, soffits, fascias, windows, top of foundation wall & drainage @ wall. -gaps in railings,
-windows, vegetation, retaining walls, & a description of siding and roofing, -look over A/C heat-exchanger, lines, housing, function, clear fins. -grounds; sidewalks, drainage, vegetation overhang and against building, vegetation damage, open window wells, fencing and gates.
-Basement, Foundation and Crawlspace; -visible structural components, access ways/doors, conditions for moisture penetration/damage, exposed dirt in crawlspace, wood close or in contact with soil, any indications of foundation movement such as cracking, sagging, out-of-square or plumb, sloping floors, beams, joists, visible gaps, -any sign of improper cutting, boring, or notching of structural members like joists and beams, -dry-rot of posts and other structural members, mold, pests, trash, vegetation, etc. that may cause damage or be hazardous, -electrical components and lines, -plumbing; supply lines, main shut-off and DWV, -gas lines & shut-off valve, sump operation,
mechanical equipment.
-Heating & Air Handling; -check for; normal operation with t-stat, energy source & shut-off, electrical connections and shut-off, filter, base, look for signs of rust, proper connection to ducts, check accessibility, -locate overhead light and utility outlet close by, -look for mold or bacteria problems and for water damage from leaks or improper maintenance, -inspect ducts for damage, anchorage, rust, -exhaust vents for proper slope and combustion intake, DO COMBUSTION BLOW-BY TEST, -inspect flame configuration and color if accessible.
-Cooling; -inspect condenser and air handling unit inside, for signs of bacteria/mold, proper operat-
ion of humidification, filters, electrical components and connections, accessibility, proper installation
operate A/C if above 65F outside.
-Plumbing; -determine public or private water supply, -inspect water main shut-off & indicated location in report, -inspect water heater including venting, piping, energy connections, electrical lines and components, presence of TPR valve and overflow piping, -water shut-off valves, -gas shut-off and gas lines, -inspect and operate; toilets, faucets, stoppers, drains and vents in showers, sinks, tubs, -inspect drains, sump pits if accessible, -operate sump pumps if accessible, -water supply lines, valves including main, -operate 2 furthest adjacent fixtures simultaneously & note pressure drop, -inspect fuel storage systems if any along with lines & valves, -note any leaking, corrosion, water damage, or staining, -note function of hot and cold in correct location, -note installation of traps, clean-outs or lack thereof, -report cracks, chips, worn or damaged sinks, tubs, toilets or shower pans, -note leakage under dishwashers, clothes washers, frig. or oven, water damaged, spongy floors or shower walls especially at the lower backsplashed portions, sheeeewww....enough !
-Electrical; -inspect; service drops and lateral, service entrance conductors, weatherhead & drip-loop, meter socket enclosure, means of service disconnect, -determine the rating of service amper-age, -inspect electrical panels and breakers or fuses, -report any dangerous openings in service panel, -visually check grounding and bonding, check for improper/loose breakers, loose/damaged/ over-stripped conductors, double-tapping, over-fusing, lack of bushings or other critical equipment/ component, -note correct labeling of circuits, adequate access to/around panel, -test all receptacles in the house, -test GCFI and AFCI circuits for trip function, -operate switches & lights, -report visible aluminum wire circuits smaller than #6 AWG, -pull and jiggle a representative number of receptacles to note wiring in box and skill of connections, -report any mis-wired receptacle, loose/damaged/worn receptacles or fixtures,- report missing plates or components that present a shock hazard, -report on location/type of smoke detector or lack of, -note proper disconnects for electrical/mechanical equipment, -improper/exposed connections, conductor runs that are improperly anchored/located, ....................................you know............................electrical stuff...........................
-Fireplace; -inspect; open/close of damper door if operational & accessible, hearth extensions and other installed components, insert operation if operational, cracks/damage/hazard in lintels, surround and hearth, combustibles clearances, proper venting and combustibles clearance.
-Attic, Ventilation & Insulation+; -inspect; insulation in unfinished spaces, inadequate insulation, venting of attics, mechanical equipment venting, corrosion/staining/burning at venting, lack of insulation or improper vapor barriers, moisture damage, staining, mold, structural damage, alteration or improper installation, access points and access ways, roof deck damage or staining, leaking at boots, vents, chimneys, and other penetrations, over-insulation at soffit vents, knob-tube wiring or other wiring hazards, insulation over knob-tube wiring, improper venting into attic, obvious improper thermal connection of uninsulated chases/spaces to outside air.
-Interior of House, Doors and Windows; -inspector will open all windows and doors that are functional, report on function, fogged windows, smoothness of operation and lack of function, inspect ceilings, walls, floors, steps, stairways, railings, function or garage door and safety features, unsafe venting in garage, firewalls and door, missing trim, hardware, fixtures, worn-out finishes,
function of dishwasher, disposal, oven, range vent, condition of kitchen counters/cabinets, operation of micro-wave oven, leaks at frig., oven, sink/disposal, dishwasher/faucet shut-offs.
WHEEEEUUUUWWwwww........NOW THE BASICS OF WHAT IS NOT INSPECTED & WHY;
Generally, I don't; 1-move things, like furniture or carpets, to inspect. This would take too much time, 2-go into hazardous situations like wet crawlspaces or on top of roofs that look old or spongy, 3-operate equipment beyond every-day switching, 4-test things beyond visual verification given state of home when I arrive so if a 3-way circuit has a bulb blown I won't replace the bulb; it will be reported that something is wrong with the circuit, 5-move insulation to check vapor retarders, 6-enter unfinished spaces with inadequate access doors/ways, 7-determine thickness or adequacy of insulations unless on an efficiency inspection, 8-test for asbestos, mold, lead, or radon unless testing specifically for these, 9-do invasive things like drilling or demolition for my inspection, 10-I won't walk on the roof but will inspect from a ladder position @ gutter, 11-inspect paint, wallpaper, window treatments, carpets/pads/underneath, security systems, intercoms, low-voltage, inside mechanical equipment, inside walls/floor assemblies, 12-test function of electrical equipment beyond basic function tests [so I will not check the cleaning cycle, for instance, on the oven but will turn it on to see if it works], 13-inspect things/equipment not permanently attached to the structure baring friges, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, washer/ dryers, 14-inspect pools, hot-tubs, saunas beyond just a visual; not for operation, cleanliness or safety, 15-test the structural integrity or run calc's on structural systems, -16 look inside ductwork but will look down registers,
-17 test elevators, vaccum systems or other specialized equipment; pools/spas, etc. are similar,
-18 run calcs or do technically exhaustive tests on HVAC performance, electrical system adequacy, plumbing and duct-run sizing & configuration. This is for specialists & beyond this inspection.
I could go on about these but you get the general idea. For more specifics; see [www.nachi.org/sop].