A home inspection can basically be called the full check-up of a house. It is performed by certified professionals called Home Inspectors. Bill Hirsch, a famous personality in the field of home inspection ( member of ASHI ) observes and reports on everything related to the house in any possible way. A home inspection is necessary for your safety and it also saves you from unnecessary repair expenses in the future.Here are the 7 major things a home inspector checks while inspecting the house:
1) The Foundation
The structural well-being of the house is the first thing a home inspector looks at. The foundation of the house can’t be compromised and needs to be checked at least each year. If we go into the details, then by ‘foundation’ we mean the walls, floor, pillars, etc that contribute to the development of the base of the house. A home inspector will look for cracks, quality of plaster, etc in the wall. He will make sure the floor is not bouncy, is strong enough, and the tiles are not chipped or broken. He will analyze the quality of the pillars and their strength.
2) Electrical Systems
Poor conditions of the electrical systems can lead to severe problems like fire. Electrical work is the most complicated work in the house and is hazardous if safety is neglected. A home inspector checks the entire wiring of the house including the wiring done outside of the house. He checks the circuits, the connections, and makes sure that there is no breakage of connection. He examines the wiring by looking at the insulation. All the wires must be insulated and there should be no metallic wire showing. He makes sure all the wires are made of copper and not aluminum.
3) Plumbing and Water Supply
The plumbing system is again a major aspect of a house. Nobody would want to live in a house without a proper water supply. Therefore, the home inspector makes sure that there is a proper water supply and no clogging of pipes anywhere. Clogged pipelines, leaks, and weak water connections are absolutely undesirable for anyone moving into a new house. He will check the pipelines, toilets, bathrooms, and everywhere where there’s a supply of water. He will look for rusts in all the pipelines as this can cause serious problems in the future. Checking all the sewage disposal systems is also under his duty.
4) The Roof or Ceiling
The roof is the crown of the house as it is on top of it and protects it from different weathers. It is essential to examine the roof deeply by professionals like home inspectors and even the homeowner should check it ideally once per year. They will look for rust and water leaks on the roof as these can cause pest infestations. Also, the quality of the material used or any missing stuff will be checked. As far as the ceiling is concerned, they will look for any sagging, cracks, leaks ( or mold caused due to it), removal of plaster, or the life of it.
5) Doors and Windows
Doors and windows are also responsible for safety. A home inspector will look at the door frame and the window frames for cracks and gaps. A gap or crack around the door frame can also indicate a poor foundation. He will look at the door frame and examine if there’s any sagging. Will analyze how the door and the windows are opening, as it will show if there needs to be any replacement. He will not comment on any dècor related stuff. The things that are related to the house’s safety are the only things that concern him.
6) Heating/ Ventilation/Air conditioning control (HVAC)
Checking the air conditioning/heating/ventilation system is also crucial when it comes to home inspection. The HVAC system ensures the environment in the house is favorable and thus, doing a regular checkup is ideal for such systems. The home inspector while inspecting them will check whether all the appliances and systems are working smoothly and are safe. He will look for dirt in air fillers, melting of pipes of the heater, rust around them, any cracks, or whether they’re combustible. Checking the chimney is also on the list and they look for any clogging or leaks of gases inside it.
7) Sewage disposal/ infestation by pests
A flawless drainage system is as essential as all the above things. Checking the water supply and disposal of sewage is done by the home inspector. He looks for clogging, blockage, or any serious issues in the pipelines. He also ensures that there’s no infestation by pests or rodents in the sewage line or around it.
Before moving into a house, having a home inspection done is a smart choice. It saves the money that you might have to spend in the near future for the maintenance or repair of the house. Also, having checked everything by a professional home inspector ensures that your house is safe and you’re at peace.
