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Home Inspection Checklist
Home Inspector’s Role
Observe-Assess-Report
Annual Verification:
In order to remain in good condition houses have to be maintained. A general rule of thumb is that the average figure of one (1%) percent of the value of the house should be set aside for annual maintenance and unforeseen repairs.
Recommended by Michael Best of Best Quality Home Inspections Ltd. to protect your investment
Protect your investment with an annual review of the condition of your home.
Electrical
CAUTION: Where a problem is found or suspected, it is strongly recommended that you call a licensed electrician to perform a further investigation and the repairs.
- Check trees around the house to be sure they're not threatening electrical wires.
- Look at the overhead electrical service lines to ensure they are securely attached where they enter the dwelling, and make sure there is no water leakage into the dwelling along the electrical conduit.
- At the electrical service panel and look for new or previously undetected scorch marks around breakers or fuses. Also check outlets for scorch marks, which could be a sign of loose and sparking wires.
- Look for loose outlet covers, receptacles, and loose boxes, which may have to be refastened to the studs while the power is turned off. If young children are in the house, make sure electrical outlets are equipped with safety plugs.
- Test all GFCI outlets by plugging in a lamp and then pushing the test and reset buttons to see if it turns the light off and then on again.
- Go around with an electrical tester (or lamp) to make sure all outlets work.
- Check for cracks in asphalt or concrete on driveway, sidewalks, and paths. These can be a tripping hazard, and can invite water that will do more damage during the colder months.
- Make sure retaining walls have no bulges or loose areas. One heavy rain or snowfall, and the potential for a mudslide may exist. Make sure the weep holes built into the wall are clear.
- Examine porches and decks for unevenness, sagging, loose rails or boards, and damaged steps. Check to make sure the posts are still firmly in the ground and not loose, or worse yet, rotted completely from the footing. Check security of all guardrails and handrails. Repair any damaged areas that present a safety issue.
- Give fences and stone walls-and their gates-a once-over for leaning and loose parts, which could fall or blow off / over during a storm.
- Look for stains on the siding, which could be a sign of a water problem or a roof issue.
- Look for signs of insect or bird nests in soffits, eaves, or attic vents. If you see signs of animal waste in a certain area, look around for the source of the problem and take appropriate corrective action. Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding or foundation openings that could be entry points fro small pests, such as bats, rodents and squirrels.
- Take note of deterioration, where paint is peeling, brick mortar is missing, or stucco is cracking on the house's siding: clean, replace or refinish as needed.
- Chimneys - look for leaning (mortar & metal) and rust (metal). Examine that the chimney cap, caulking & flashings are in good condition, and not lifting, damaged or missing. Look for any evidence of obstructions such as bird nests, etc. – have a professional clean.
- Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachments, clear obstructions / debris and ensure proper pitch (flow - especially during a rainstorm). Look for stains on the soffit or wall, which could be a sign of a leak.
- Examine the foundation for cracks, bulges and leaks or signs of moisture and repair as required.
- Take a look at the sill, checking for rot and insects. Look for raised mud channels, which indicate the presence of termites. Use a sharp knife or other probe to see how deeply the wood has been affected.
- Make sure the grade of the ground around the foundation slopes away from the house, so water does not accumulate at the foundation or drain into your basement.
- Look at the roofing. Are there cracks, missing shingles and crumbling pieces? Check asphalt for dry, blistering, alligatoring, or curling shingles; wood for rot and splits; slate and tile for broken pieces; and flat roofs for holes. Be especially vigilant under trees, where falling branches or jumping animals could have done damage. Once the leaves have fallen, look more closely at where branches touch the house.
- Look for moss and other debris on the roof.
- Drain and store outdoor hoses in WINTER. Close valve to the outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet); unless your house has frost proof hose bibs.
Plumbing, including Bathrooms and Laundry
CAUTION: Where a problem is found or suspected, it is strongly recommended that you call a certified plumber to perform a further investigation and the repairs.
- Look for signs of leaks at faucets, in all exposed pipes, and in areas where pipes run through the walls or foundation.
- Look for signs of corrosion, which could indicate a problem with the water, or with the pipe itself. Watch for green stains around brass and copper fittings and on shutoff valves, a sign of either corrosion or electrolysis caused by mismatched metals. This is prone to causing leaks and bad connections if left uncorrected.
- Check the water pressure. Low pressure could mean a problem with the line or just sediment buildup in the faucet aerator or showerhead.
- Check ALL drains for speed of drainage - a slow drain may have a clog or a blocked vent pipe. Look for a full swirling drain; bubbling drains indicate that a blockage or venting problem may exist.
- Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
- Flush the toilets to make sure they operate properly. Open their tanks and look for worn or missing parts. Then wait around for a few minutes to see if the toilet runs after a pause, a sign of a slow leak.
- Look around the water heater for rust flakes. Check for indications of soot. Ensure an annual preventive maintenance service by a qualified service company is completed.
- Check that the water heater safety valve pipe has not been damaged or blocked.
- Watch out for cracked tiles in the shower area or around sinks. Tap on tiles looking for loose or hollow ones, which could be masking rotted backerboard behind them.
- Check on the state of the tub and shower caulking to see if its time to replace it.
- Look for evidence of mildew where water has a chance to stand for longer periods.
- Manipulate the toilet base to be sure it doesn't rock, which might mean a leak has damaged the floor around it. Look for cracks on the toilet tank or bowl or on sinks.
- Slide shower doors do check for sticking, rust, or obstructions. Examine the gaskets around the door glass for gaps and tears.
- Turn on the shower and bath faucets and check for leaks around handles and valves. Are they easy to use, or harder to turn on and off? Check set screws around escutcheon plates.
- Unscrew the showerhead and look for collected sediment in it that could be lowering the water pressure.
- Examine vent fans for obstructions or dust. Turn them on: If it sounds really loud, the bearings may be worn out or a vent may have gotten stuck.
- Check washer hoses for signs of aging (cracks or brittleness) or leaks.
- Check dryer vents for connection and tears. Vacuum or brush out lint in hose and around lint screen inside unit, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
- WELL WATER it is advised that you send out a sample of the water to be tested (testing for bacteria every six months is recommended). This is to confirm if you have any potable water quality problems (E. Coli, faecal coliform, nitrate, etc.)? You can contact the Regional Public Health Laboratory - Ottawa, 2380 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, ON K1G 6C4; Tel : 613-736-6800 or the City of Ottawa and Surrounding Areas website.
The Web sites listed will give you a great deal of information about wells and septic systems.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/pubhealth/safewater/
or http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/watersafe/watersafe_welltest.html
and http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/buho/buho_003.cfm
and http://ottawa.ca/residents/water/wells/testing/index_en.html
Make sure that the well cover is tightly sealed but there is still access to the pump.
Check the sump pump by pouring water in the sump pump basin to trigger the float switch, to see if the pump turns on automatically. While the sump pump is running check the outside pipe to make sure that water is being discharged (away from foundation ~ six (6) feet). If water is not being discharged check for visible leaks, a stuck check valve, impeller loose on its shaft or a plugged discharge water pipe.
- SEPTIC SYSTEM it is strongly advised to have this checked regularly - minimum every three years. Retain a copy of the septic system permit and the detail of its location on the property. If there are any problems with the system backing up or foul odours or your septic tank/field has soggy ground or overly lush vegetation that could mean the tank is full or failing.
CAUTION: Where a problem is found or suspected, it is strongly recommended that you call a certified HVAC service company to perform a further investigation and the repairs.
- All fuel burning appliances requiring chimneys and vents should be inspected annually to assure that there is no blockage, buildup of soot or rust. Ensure an annual preventive maintenance service by a qualified HVAC service company is completed.
- Check electric baseboard heaters for obstructions of furniture or other articles. Check for any mechanical damage or loose attachments to the wall. Vacuum heaters to remove dust.
- Furnace System – On Forced Air System, check registers (Grills) and vents for loose debris or missing covers – clean and repair as required. Also, verify that the humidifier pads and drum have been serviced. Ensure that the furnace air filter and ventilation system filters (example: Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)) are changed or cleaned regularly [Monthly or Bi-Monthly] to prevent clogging with dirt and dust. On the HRV test the drain for condensate is working.
- Air Conditioning System - check for damaged or poorly insulated refrigerant lines and loose or missing covers and screws. Ensure that the air conditioning filter (if applicable) has been serviced. Cover air conditioning unit to protect against snow and ice.
- Check around radiators on Hot Water Heating System for leaks, or damaged floors, which could be a sign of a leak or an incorrect pitch toward the return. Bleed air from hot water radiators.
- Look for overall deterioration, rust, loose parts, and other signs of a failing system. Ensure that the combustion air intakes that feed the furnace or other fuel-fired appliances are not obstructed.
Interior
- Check doors for swollen spots and sticking. Look for loose hinges and doorknobs.
- Check the floor for popped nails, loose boards, loose tiles, and springy spots that could be a sign of floor joist or structural trouble.
- Look at ceilings for stains, which could indicate a roof or plumbing leak.
- Make sure ceilings and floors aren't sagging or cracked in new places, which might mean a bigger problem causing a shift in the house. Look above doors for cracks.
- Check walls for popped screws and nails on drywall or new cracks in plaster.
- Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture (efflorescent, peeling floor paint, etc.) and repair as required.
- Point a flashlight into the fireplace firebox and up the chimney, checking for loose material (bricks, etc.), cracks, and signs of animal nests, or excess creosote that could spark a chimney fire. Regular cleaning of dust and debris from gas fireplaces is recommended.
- Make sure the damper for wood burning fireplaces operates properly.
- Check around ceiling fans to be sure they're well secured to the ceiling and not working their way loose.
- Jiggle the stair balustrade to test its sturdiness, and take note where balusters and banisters have come loose.
- Test all smoke and CO detectors and replace batteries winter and summer to assure proper operation. Replace units that have an expired life. Vacuum dust and spider webs from detectors.
Doors and Windows (including Skylights)
- Examine and replace damaged, torn or worn caulking and weather-stripping around doorways and windows including the doorway between the garage and dwelling. Examine for ice accumulation or cold air leaks.
- Make sure that the gas proofing has not been compromised on the door between the garage and the dwelling – self-closing device is attached and operational (closes door completely).
- Look for cracks in window glass and glazing around panes.
- Check the action of the windows for sticking points.
- Look for peeling paint and other signs of wear on window frames, usually in the bottom corners. Check that weep holes in the sill outside haven't been caulked over, inhibiting drainage.
- Take a look at door thresholds for cracks that could let water reach the sill.
Attic
- Look around the attic space during daylight hours, with the lights turned off. Look for holes in the roofing that let light in.
- Look for signs of rodent / animal activity or entry points.
- Check around vents for gaps. Look at fan motors for frayed wiring or loose screws.
- Look at roof sheathing & insulation for signs of frost accumulation, wetness or dampness of insulation where snow or water leakage might be occurring. Look for missing, torn or uneven insulation (wind mounding).
- Examine joists and rafters for structural damage.
- Check the garage door action & safety stops, auto-reverse mechanism, are properly adjusted and look for dents in the tracks or cracks in the door.
- Make sure tool storage and hanging rakes and shovels don't create a falling or tripping hazard.
- Test the drainage of the sink and look for signs of leaks on the faucet.
- Look at all the cabinet doors and drawers to make sure they open and close properly. Check for loose hinges or sticking drawer slides.
- Try all the gas stove burners to be sure they turn on quickly and properly, without sparking or bursts of flame. Make sure gas stoves give off an even blue flame.
- Check the oven door gasket for signs of wear and tear.
- Make sure the gas shutoff valve for the kitchen appliances is easily accessible.
- Open the dishwasher and spin and lift the washer arm by hand to make sure it isn't stuck. Check that nothing has dislodged the drain hose; it should arc up to prevent backwash from the drain into the dishwasher.
- Look for signs of leaking under and around the dishwasher.
- Make sure range hood filter(s) and water filter(s) have been cleaned or changed recently.
- Reference Link for Renovation and Repair Estimating:
- Ontario Contractors - www.ontariocontractors.com - go to the site map and find Information regarding Building Needs
- Planning / Costs
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