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Items We Inspect during a Home Inspection

Items We InspectReal Estate Agents will recommend that Homebuyers hire a professional home inspector to report any problems with a new house prior to closing.  Many recommend a seller, have a Pre-Listing Inspection to assess the condition of your home and make the necessary repairs before putting your home on the market. This can boost your home’s value and prevent delays in the closing process. Such repairs often are necessary to make your home appealing to would-be buyers. Focus on common areas that concern buyers the most when they review their home inspection reports.  Read our Home Buyers Guide for more information.

Items We Inspect – Components and Systems

Our Home Inspection includes all the major structural components of your home. Foundation and supporting structures are all inspected.  All systems are operated when possible and their age and model information is included in your report.  Your home inspection report will detail the condition of all these items at the time of inspection.

Structure

Our inspection includes inspection of entry ways, foundations, siding and porches looking for such symptoms of trouble as sagging roof lines, gaps in or damage to the siding, porches pulling away from the building, obvious signs of rot or insect damage, settlement, visible cracks in foundations. As part of exterior inspection we will probe any exposed wood that appears suspect or deformed indicating patching or repair.  Any structural movement in roof, foundation or walls will be a major concern for home buyers.  As a Certified Building Code Official we have the training and knowledge to identify causes and problems associated with structural movement

Exterior

An exterior inspection will include a visual assessment of decks, balconies, eaves, soffits and facias. An inspector will look at the grading of the land around the house for obvious drainage problems, and check walkways and Items Inspected by Barrie Home Inspector driveways for apparent deterioration or safety concerns. He will also visually inspect vegetation surrounding the house for obvious problems such as the intrusion of roots near the foundation or buried utilities or overgrowth that might promote excess humidity or contribute to security issues. Automatic garage door openers should be checked to confirm they are in compliance with current safety standards.  Fume barrier in garage is checked for conformance.

Roof Inspection

When safe to do so we access roof by ladder and take pictures of all roof deficiencies.   The age of a roof might be as good indicator of its condition as an actual visual check and a home with builders grade fiberglass shingles can only expect about 15 to 18 years life expectancy.  We also report on roof drainage systems, flashings, skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations (for vents and flues).  Note:  South side of roof will always show more deterioration.  Expense of replacing roof is one of the top ten concerns home buyers have.

Plumbing Inspection

Our plumbing inspection consists of testing the interior water supply and distribution system including visual assessment of water pressure, water heating equipment (estimating age and capacity) and the required  vents, flues, and chimneys are properly installed . We will flush every toilet to check for leaks and run all faucets to assess water pressure and the presence of available hot water.  Bathtubs are partially filled and jet tubs are filled and operated.  Septic Tank Inspections are not part of home inspection. 

Electrical  Inspection

The Barrie Home Inspector will check for over current protections, grounding, and the presence of any aluminum wiring (some insurance companies will not insure a home with aluminum wiring). If wiring has been added we Electrical Inspections - Barrie Home Inspections will remove the face of the electrical box if it is safe to do so. We also check a representative number of switches and outlets in the house and observe the required smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector is present and in working order.

Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

Furnace covers are removed and interior is checked for any deficiencies, rust or visible water leaks.  Older furnaces have flame colour checked looking for signs of poor combustion.  Filter is checked and cover plate for filter.  Distribution ducts and B vents are also checked.

Home Interior

An inspection will include a visual scan of floors, walls and ceilings for signs of water intrusion, or sagging. Stairways and railings will be checked for safety and code compliance and a sample of windows and doors inspected for condition and ease of operation. Kitchen counter tops and cupboards are visually inspected for any finish defects. The basement should be checked for indications of previous water intrusion in addition to signs of structural problems.  Having a wet basement is probably number one concern of home buyers.  We use both Infrared Camera and Moisture meter to verify any signs of moisture in basements.

Ventilation

Poor ventilation can lead to rot, mold, poor air quality or excessive energy consumption. We check insulation and vapor barriers in unfinished areas of the attic and in the foundation area and look for the presence and operation of any mechanical ventilation systems in the attic and other high humidity areas such as kitchens and bath.

Appliances

We do not check appliances for working condition.  Appliances can stop working without any warning and it is impossible to determine when this may happen.  We always recommend that you run every appliance and fixture in the home during you final walk through.  Getting money back for broken appliances or systems after money changes hands can be very difficult and expensive.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves

The Barrie Home Inspector has been WETT Certified for over 20 years and will inspect a single wood burning appliance for $75.00 when included as part of home inspection. WETT Inspection by Barrie Home Inspection

Thermal Imaging Scan of Home

Free Thermal Imaging scan of your entire home is included in every home inspection.  Infrared camera’s can help find hidden moisture, electrical hot spots, missing insulation and leaks in building envelope.

Renovations

Part of our home inspection service is to alert home buyers when failure to meet installation requirements for electrical, plumbing, structural or deck construction indicate work was done with a Building Permit.   If you buy a home which has had work done without a Building Permit,  you will be assuming responsibility for any future repairs or upgrades that maybe required.  The danger of buying a property that has had work done without a required permit is that systems were installed that could be hidden behind floors and walls that have never been properly inspected.

A professional home inspection results in a lot of information. When buying a home the Rule of Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware  always applies.  An educated consumer is a smart consumer.  Do your home work when hiring a Realtor and Home Inspector.   Always have an independent Realtor represent you who has no connection to sellers agent.  Conflict of interest is very expensive and hard to prove in court,  find someone who only represents you and your interests.

Trusted Partners and Information Links

Trades – Local trade person who are qualified at their profession.
Alliston Home Inspector
Tottenham Home Inspector
Barrie Home Inspector
Maintenance Tips
Barrie Real Estate Agents
Home Inspection Contract
Structural Inspections
Advantages of Thermal Imaging
Areas Inspected
Air Quality Testing

 

DEFECT PICTURES FROM HOME INSPECTIONS

Electrical Defect Pictures
Exterior Defect Pictures
Heating Defect Pictures
Insulation Defect Pictures
Roofing Defect Pictures
Structural Defect Pictures
Thermal Imaging Defect Pictures
WETT Inspection Defect Pictures

Wasaga Beach Home Inspector

Call Roger at 705-795-8255

Email Roger at roger@napoleon.cc

 

Contact Information

Roger Frost
Certified Building Code Official
Certified Master Inspector

Phone: 705.795.8255
Email Roger

barrie home inspector

 

Certifications

Barrie Certified Master InspectorBarrie WETT Certified InspectionsOntario Building Officials AssociationNorth American Certified Home Inspectors