Buying your dream home is something many of us wish to achieve. Before you can even reach the moving stage to a new home, there is still the entire selling process to go through. One bump in this process will be the viewing, but it’s also a great opportunity to see the house with your own eyes.
At this viewing, you can get a better idea of what the place looks like and what issues, if any, are present at the time. A little preparation beforehand in the form of a checklist will ensure you cover all the basics and save yourself headaches in the future.
What Is a Home Inspection?
Often relating to the sale of a home, a home inspection is a non-invasive exam of the home and the condition it is in. Certified home inspectors perform these examinations and upon completion will issue the report findings to the client. The information in the final reports helps clients make informed decisions about the potential purchase of the home. The home inspector provides clear information about the condition of the home in its current state and does not guarantee any future stability for any of the components or systems within it. It’s also important to note that a home inspection is not an inspection to verify code compliance.
Exterior Home Inspection Checklist
Outdoor home inspections are just as important as indoor home inspections. The land in which the home sits on, and the overall structure of the home are paramount in terms of the stability and longevity of the home. Here’s what to look for when performing, or having an exterior examination done.
1. Inspect the Grounds - Look for any standing water, the condition of the drainage system, and tree branches that might touch and affect the roof.
2. The Home’s Structure - Check the foundation wherever possible for any cracks, sagging sides, or damaged door and window frames, and even inspect the paint job on the exterior walls.
3. Windows - Windows are another piece of the home that needs examination not just for cracks in the glass, but condensation gathering in between the glass panes, which indicates a failing seal.
4. The Roof - A vitally important part to check outdoors as well, is for any loose shingles, mould, and even flaky surfaces. These should be quickly detected as they can be made worse by rain.
5. Gutters - Close to the roof and seeing much use, the gutters need frequent checks and maintenance so look out for any slack in the system or rusted parts.
6. The Vents - Some houses will have vents that provide air circulation in the home, so make sure these are still in good condition and are not obstructed by anything.
7. Chimney - Some homes could have fireplaces and in this case, you should definitely examine the chimney for any damage to the bricks, if it’s straight and checked by a licensed professional.
8. Well - If the home has a private well, it’s important to inspect water quality and especially the well pump if it’s overgrown with dirt. You might also need a well water treatment system. The topic around water treatment systems, water safety and effective products is a vast one and finding the most credible resources, companies and people that stand behind them can be overwhelming. Consulting with, and exploring companies like BOS is a good place to start.
Interior Home Inspection Checklist
Everything indoors will be subjected to greater scrutiny than almost anything else, possibly because it’s the part where we spend the most time. Fires, moulds, floods, and infestations can all be dangerous or life threatening to ourselves and our families. Here’s what to look for when performing, or having, an interior examination done.
9. Structural Integrity - Look at the walls, floors, and ceiling and take note if any are not straight and level. This type of flaw can indicate either damage or improper build.
10. Flooring - Inspect wood or floor tiles for any stains, cracks, or pieces that could be loose.
11. Light switches and sockets - The electrical part will be quite necessary so it’s important to have them functional and carefully maintained.
12. Paint and wallpaper - Make sure the ceilings and walls still have a good paint job, or wallpaper, without any peeling or chipping.
13. Interior doors - The bare minimum with interior doors is for them to be functional and without damage. The frames of doors also need some closer inspection so that they still hold the door itself.
14. Smoke detectors - Make sure smoke detection devices are adequately placed and functional. The National Fire Protection Associations guidelines are followed in Canada as well. There are no differences in the educational materials.
15. Central heating - Look at the central heating system and gauge its age and make sure that it has up-to-date inspection by a professional. Inspectors usually leave a sticker with the date of its last check.
16. Basement - While in the basement, note if there are any signs of moisture, water damage, cracks in the foundation, or any decaying wood structure. Take the necessary steps to understand a home’s foundation.
17. Crawlspace and Pantry - See how ventilated the pantry and the crawlspace are and the conditions the walls find themselves in. Moisture and even insects are liable to damage these spaces.
Kitchen Inspection
The kitchen is a hot zone for all kinds of activity and as a result should be inspected carefully. Here are the key points for a kitchen inspection:
18. Drains and Pipes - Look at the kitchen sink and make sure there are no leaks, but also that the infrastructure of the drain is neatly organized and not extremely cramped.
19. Kitchen Sink Cabinet - Even a repaired kitchen sink drainage can still exhibit signs of wear in the form of mould and water stains.
20. Kitchen Cabinets - Make sure kitchen cabinets on the walls are securely installed, functional and intact.
21. Ventilation and Exhaust - A hood extractor and central heating should both have acceptable operational exhaust systems.
Bathroom Inspection
Another area where there’s a lot of water and electric activity is the bathroom. The bathroom and the condition of the components within it are a key indicator of the overall health of the home. A bathroom inspection checklist should include:
22. Fixtures - The very first thing to notice in a bathroom is the condition of the fixtures. Rust or deposits will indicate some other issues to be had with the water source.
23. Water Quality - The bathroom is the best place to see what the overall water quality is like. The white sink makes it clearer to see solid impurities, while also showing deposits that accumulate.
24. Water Filters - Houses with water issues regularly implement water filters. Check the existing filtration system and understand what maintenance it will require.
25. The Toilet - Look for any stain marks at the base of the toilet seat, make sure the seat is stable and secured to the floor, and most importantly operational.
26. Leaks - There are a lot more water connections in the bathroom from the tub or shower, sink, and toilet. Look at all of these for any evidence of leaks.
27. Mould and Caulking - Examine the caulking around the sink, toilet, tub, or shower to see the condition it’s in and if there are signs of decay or mould.
Home Systems
All homes are made up of three main systems and those will undergo rigorous inspections as well. There are, in essence, the way energy flows in and out of the home so it’s important they are in good working order. Your home system inspection checklist should look like this:
28. Plumbing - Look for the leaks, rust, and dents of the pipes in the plumbing system. Some of these pipes could be behind cabinets, behind washing machines, or under the bathtub. While looking at these pipes also check the water pressure.
29. Electrical System - Examine the outlets, lighting, and even the electrical panel for wiring, grounding and overheating.
30. HVAC System - First of all, check if the air conditioning and heating is working, after which make sure its filter is still good to use. Look at ventilation pipes and make sure they’re not made of asbestos.
Regular checks like these are great for both property owners and sellers. Either to conduct checks on their home so that issues won’t come as a surprise, or in looking to have the home in good condition before it goes on the market. The list of things that can be damaged in a home is a long one, but the list of solutions compensates for it.
Conclusion - Regular Checks
Regular checks like these are great for both property owners and sellers. Either to conduct checks on their home so that issues won’t come as a surprise, or in looking to have the home in good condition before it goes on the market. The list of things that can be damaged in a home is a long one, but the list of solutions compensates for it.
Many issues are easy for anyone to check out by themselves and don’t necessarily require a professional evaluation. Simplified checks can be conducted regularly and with varying degrees of success, but it’s nonetheless a good option. Smaller problems will naturally occur no matter how much maintenance has already been done, and fixing issues is easier when you know what to expect.
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