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FAYETTEVILLE'S BEST HOME INSPECTION

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Home Inspector with Carolina's Best Home Inspections 1051

 Description of a Home Inspection

          In 1996, North Carolina became the second state to require licensing of Home Inspectors.    Your Home Inspection is to be performed according to the laws the the State of NC has legislated. You may obtain a copy of those laws by contacting the NC Home InspecTors Licensure Board.   The State of NC requires that the Home Inspector provide the client with an Inspection Agreement.   The intent is that the client understand what to expect in the inspection - what is included and what is not.   The agreement may be emailed prior to the home inspection, or brought to the client at the time of the inspection.

        Once I arrive onsite, I like to begin at the front of the house.  I examine the grade to see how the land slopes and if any water is running toward the house.  I look at the driveway, water meter, and walks. Then I look at the front of the house: the foundation, siding, soffitt, fascia, gutters and roof.    I begin to circle the home, continuing to make observations.  I keep my camera handy and take plenty of pictures.  In addition to taking pictures of defects, I take pictures of items I want to remember when I get back to my computer to write the report. 

   I take pictures of the location of the gas meter, if there is one, the electrical service entrance cable and the electric meter.   I shoot the heat pump compressor, porches, decks, rails, steps, and anything else that will keep a clear picture of the house in my mind later.      I walk completely around the house, then I go around again.   After I have inspected the home from the ground, I get my ladder and get up on the roof.  I look at the roof flashing, the chimney, plumbing vents, skylights, gutters, shingles, etc., taking pictures as I go.  Ocasionally, because of the steepness of the roof or other danger, I am not able to walk the roof.   This is not typically the case.

        When I feel comfrtable about the exterior, I go inside the house.  Oftentimes, I start in the attic.  If there is access to the attic and I can get into it, I go up there, flashlight and camera in hand.   I shoot the rafters, roof sheathing, ceiling joists, and insulation.   I inspect the attic for adequate ventilation, and look for signs of roof leaks around the chimney and other roof penetrations.  I look to see if any electrical wires are exposed and if the vent fans are vented to the outside.  If there is an air handler installed in the attic, I examine the condensate line and pan.  When I think I have looked at everything in the attic area, I look around again, all the while, taking pictures.

          Then I start on the interior of the house.  I go to the front door, ring the door bell and check to see that the front door closes properly and is sealed sufficiently.  I look for any observable defects, test the door lock and the porch light.  I move through the house clockwise, room by room.  In each room, I test the electrical outlets to see if they are working and if they are grounded properly.  I examine the heat vents to see if they are present and working properly.  I examine the air return filters for size, type and condition.   I test the windows to see if they open and the doors to see if they latch.  I observe the ceilings, floors, and walls for signs of leaks, settling, or other problems and I check the smoke detectors.  

         In the bathrooms, I check the plumbing fixtures for leaks and if they operate correctly.  I inspect the fan, lights, GFCI receptacles, and more.   I move on to the kitchen where I check all appliances possible.  If there is a turkey in the oven, I do not change the settings.  If dshes are in the dishwasher, I may not run it.  I include in my written report what I have been able to inspect.  I test all cabinet doors and drawers.  I look at the countertop, the lighting, the dishwasher connection, the GFCI outlets, check out the kitchen sink drain, and so on.

         Finally I inspect the crawlspace.  After putting on my coveralls, I take my flashlight and camera and enter the crawlspace area.  This is an area where I take a lot of pictures.  It is in the crawlspace where you are likely to find more problems than anywhere else in the home inspection.  This is true because while people may keep their living areas in pristine condition, they seldom, if ever, visit the dark recesses of the crawlspace.  Snakes may be down there, and spiders are commonly there.  Other creatures, like lizards, toads and crickets also live there.  After entering the access area, I crawl from one end to the other.  I am looking for any damage to the framing and foundation, and I look at the insulation.  I inspect the interior of the house first so that when I get to the crawlspace, I will notice if there are any leaks in the pipes from the bathroom fixtures that I operated.  I am also looking at where the main water line comes into the house and where the waste line exits the house.  I want to see if the air handler is leaking condensation into the crawlspace.  I want to see if the ground around the perimeter of the foundation is damp.   After I have thoroughly investigated the areas under the house, taking pictures all the way, I make it back outside to the sunlight.  

 

          I am basically finished with my visual inspection of the home.  You can easily see this is a very extensive inspection of the home.  At this time, if the client is present, I report my findings and discuss the details of the inspection I have just described.   I will stay and answer questions and point out any areas of concern so they are aware of what they need to know about the condition of the home.

         But I have not yet completed the home inspection until I have furnished the client with a written report of my observations.   This part of the inspection process takes longer than you might imagine.  I insert alot of pictures into my home inspection report  to clarify the statements I write.  My home inspector software covers over a hundred items that must be completed and it will remind me if I have not addressed them all.   When I have finished the written report, I attach it as a pdf with an email and encourage my clients to review all of it, not just the defects, so they will have a good understanding about the home they intend to purchase.   I welcome my clients to call me, even after they move into their home, if they have any questions.  

         I have given my best to deliver my client   "Carolina's Best Home Inspections".

          Read more about my services at www.carolinasbesthomeinspections.com.   

          Earl Payne, NC Licensed Home Inspector since 1998