by tommiller01
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Total Home Inspection Checklist

Home Inspection

• Grounds

• Proper grading drainage away from house

• No evidence of standing water

• No leaks from septic tank or leech field

• Yard, landscaping, trees and walkways in good condition

• No branches or bushes touching house or overhanging the roof

• Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detached garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood 

• Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure

• Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from structure

• Downspout drainage directed away from structure

• Structure

• Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level

• Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging

• Window and doorframes appear square (especially bowed windows)

• Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks

• Exterior Surfaces

• Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials (6" minimum); no wood-to-earth contact

• Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay

• Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, spalling or flaking components

• Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector) 

• Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or loose siding 

• No vines on surface of structure

• Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters

• No stains on exterior surfaces

• Windows, Doors and Wood Trim

• Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay

• Joints around frames are caulked

• No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken doublepaned, insulated window seals.

• Muntin and mullion glazing compound in good condition

• Storm windows or thermal glass used 

• Drip caps installed over windows

• Roof

• Composition shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing

• Wood shingles or shakes: no mold, rot or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling

• Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/"alligatoring" and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings 

• Flashing around roof penetrations

• No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk

• Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains

• Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over

• Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits 

• Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition

• Attic

• No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations

• No evidence of decay or damage to structure

• Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)

• Adequate ventilation, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational 

• No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic 

• No open electrical splices

• Interior Rooms

• Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level

• No stains on floors, walls or ceilings 

• Flooring materials in good condition 

• No significant cracks in walls or ceilings

• Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, "weep holes" installed

• Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware 

• Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition 

• Wood trim installed well and in good condition

• Lights and switches operate properly

• Adequate number of three pronged electrical outlets in each room

• Electrical outlets test properly (spot check) 

• Heating/cooling source in each habitable room

• Evidence of adequate insulation in walls

• Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined 

• Kitchen

• Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s) 

• Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly

• No leaks in pipes under sinks

• Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay 

• Water flow in sink adequate 

• No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes

• Built-in appliances operate properly

• Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly

• Bathroom

• Working exhaust fan that doesn\'t terminate in the attic space 

• Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures 

• Sink, tub and shower drain properly

• Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition 

• If sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn\'t leak

• Toilet operates properly

• Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base

• Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area

• Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid

• No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower

• Miscellaneous

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances 

• Stairway treads and risers solid 

• Stair handrails where needed and in good condition

• Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles

• Basement or Mechanical Room 

• No evidence of moisture

• Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence

• Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts 

• Insula tion at rim/band joists 

• Crawl Space

• Adequately vented to exterior

• Insulation on exposed water supply, waste and vent pipes

• Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area 

• No evidence of insect damage

• No evidence of moisture damage 

• Plumbing

• Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system 

• Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house. 

• Water pump: does not short cycle

• Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow

• Well water test is acceptable

• Hot water temperature between 118 - 125 degrees Fahrenheit

• Electrical

• Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected 

• Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating 

• No aluminum cable for branch circuits

• Heating/Cooling System 

• Appears to operate well throughout (good air flow on forced hot air systems) 

• Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection

• No rust around cooling unit

• No combustion gas odor

• No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts 

• Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal

This checklist was created by tommiller01

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