At the inspection, we typically start with inspecting the roof, chimneys, skylights, roof and chimney flashing, gutters & downspouts. HomeSmart DOES get on roofs (provided that we will not damage the roof or cause personal injury)Then we move onto the exterior: surface drainage, walks/driveway, steps/stairs, windows and doors, window & door flashing, siding, soffit/fascia/trim, decks, porches, sunrooms, exterior electrical light fixtures, electrical entrance cable/meter box, exterior foundation and grade. We then move to the interior where we report on the conditions of the kitchen appliances, electrical outlets/fixtures, plumbing supplies/drains, cabinets/countertops, windows/doors, flooring/walls/ceilings.
Next, we move to the basement where we take the electrical main panel box cover off to verity there are not safety issues inside the electrical panel box and sub-panel boxes; and verify proper grounding/bonding. We test all electrical outlets and fixtures throughout homes for correct polarity and safety. In older homes, we check all outdated wiring and connections for safety.
Now, we inspect the entire heating and cooling systems. We provide instructions on necessary filter changes and/or required maintenance needed. The whole house is checked for proper heat distribution and adequacy. Woodstove and fireplace flues are also checked – typically any wood burning stove or fireplace flues should be cleaned and checked once per year. It’s important to verify this maintenance has been completed. It is also crucial to be sure certain appliances do not share the same chimney flues with different combustion fuels (i.e.: woodstove and oil boiler improperly sharing the same flue)
HomeSmart checks the water main entrance pipe, water pressure and supply. If the home has a well, we test the pressure tank, pump, gauge and quality of the water to be sure that the well will accommodate the needs of the new occupants. If the water is public, we test/check the entrance pipe, water meter and main water shut-off valve. We then inspect all bathrooms: the fixtures; sink, toilet, bathtubs, stall showers, whirlpool tubs, bathroom exhaust fans (need to be vented properly), flooring, lighting, electrical outlets (GFCI protected or not), windows and doors.
The attic is inspected to check proper insulation, ventilation, structure (framing), then the rest of the interior is checked: we test all of the electrical outlets, light fixtures/switches, windows (to be sure are operational) and doors, ceilings/walls/flooring and stairs.
An additional bonus of a HomeSmart Inspection report is the Energy Savings ‘recommendation’ section of the report summary! We offer suggestions on how to get better performance out of the home by saving energy! There are so many areas around a home where energy can be saved by eliminating heat loss – we like to identify these areas and make suggestions on how to improve the homes efficiency!
Trust your home inspection ….. to HomeSmart!