Pre-Purchase Home Inspection

Building Envelope

The outside structure of your home should be thoroughly inspected. This includes checking out crawlspaces under the home, an inspection of your roof, the seal of your windows/doors, and more.

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Foundation

If the foundation is accessible, we will thoroughly inspect and report. In many cases, we may not be able to investigate the health of your foundation, since it may not be visible. However, we should be able to check for secondary signs of foundation issues such as cracks or settling.

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Grading

In a home, the grading should slope away from your house, not towards it. We will be able to determine which way your grading slopes and therefore how susceptible your house will be to water damage. In cases where the grading slopes towards your home, you’ll need to either change the slope of your yard or install a drainage system. Both solutions can be very pricy and should be discovered before you purchase your home.

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Roof

Chances are you weren’t invited up on a ladder to check out the condition of the roof during the open house. Your inspector will be able to check your roof to determine its age and condition, as well as any potential damage or poor installation that could allow for water damage to occur in the home. They will also check for loose, missing, or badly secured shingles, cracks, or damaged mastic around your vents. Additionally, they will check the condition of the gutters.

Having a strong, secure roof doesn’t just protect against water damage. It also protects against pests entering your home through your roof and residing in the attic. These pests include raccoons, squirrels, and even bats.

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Garage

Does the garage door close properly? Is it framed securely? Is there a good seal between the house and garage to protect against accidental carbon monoxide poisoning? These are all things your home inspection will check for you.

If your water heater is kept in your garage, it’s even more important to get an inspection done. Your water heater must be installed high enough off the ground to prevent a potential fire or explosion hazard. Gasoline fumes from your car mixing with your heater’s flame can explode if not installed properly.

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Plumbing

It’s important that your inspector checks all the toilets, faucets, and showers to look for any visible leaks while testing the water pressure too. You’ll also be told what kind of pipes the home has if any pipes are visible. If the home has very old pipes, they may recommend an additional inspection to determine when or if they need to be replaced and offer a ballpark cost for the repair.

Additionally, the inspector should show you where the home’s main water shutoff valve is, and how to use it if you are unsure.

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Electrical

Electrical varies quite a bit from house to house, especially in older homes. Your inspector will let you know what type of wiring your home has, ensure there are functional ground fault circuit interrupters, and test all outlets. Functional ground fault circuit interrupters are crucial as they protect you from electrocution, electrical shock, and electrical burns. The electrical panel should also be inspected to ensure they are in proper working order to eliminate any safety issues or potential fire hazards.

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Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

This part of the inspection is very important to determine not just if pricy repairs are required but what your monthly energy bills may look like. Not only will they determine the age of your furnace and air conditioning, they’ll also ensure they are working properly. Your inspector will also determine the age of your ducting and determine any potential leaks.

On top of that, they will check for leaks and whether or not the home has sufficient insulation. Some insulation, especially in older homes, contains asbestos, which can have a detrimental effect on your health and is very expensive to remove.

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And Much More...

The above are the main components of a good Pre-Purchase Home Inspection. There is more to be looked at which we will explain to you at the time of inspection.