Home Inspection – Items Inspected
A home inspector’s checklist needs to be exceedingly thorough. As Roger Frost, a Certified Building Code Official with over 20 years of Inspecting Homes, puts it, “Anything and everything” that has to do with the house, we will observe, evaluate, and then report on.”
Roger emphasizes that buyers want a house that is safe, and that’s what he primarily looks for. “Our standard very simply says, we look for things that are significantly deficient, unsafe, near the end of the service life, or not functioning properly. That’s primarily why “home buyers” hire a home inspector. We will indicate the general condition of the room we are inspecting, looking for cracks in drywall, un-level floors and any presence of mould which could indicate a hidden underlying problem. Training, Experience and Knowledge are the main factors a Home Inspector uses to find items that are not readily visible but can be deduced from the physical clues that are present. Anyone can walk around a house taking pictures of cracks and leaking window seals and call themselves and Inspector, but what do they actually know?
There are 7 major issues that we look for that can cause buyer hesitation when they get the home inspection report. These issues are some of the most expensive and labor-intensive to fix and may pose threats to the safety and function of the house. Read about Asbestos in your Home
View Defect Pictures from actual home inspections
Here’s what home professional inspectors look for, that, if found, could impact your home sale:
1. Water Damage
The three biggest things that are bad for a house are water, water, and water. When water gets into a home’s structure or interior, it can cause a range of major issues, most of which are red flags for buyers. Water in the basement can be a sign of structural damage, roof leaks or plumbing issues can cause water stains on walls and ceilings.
In the event of overlooked or hidden water damage, mold can form and potentially make the environment toxic. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to mold in damp, indoor environments is 
linked with upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people.
In severe cases, mold removal can cost tens of thousands of dollars. In minor cases of water damage or mold, you may be able to offer the buyer a credit for repair instead of fixing it yourself. This can be negotiated after the inspection report comes back. If an inspector reports that there are signs of severe water damage in your home or the buyer requests that you repair the damage before closing the sale, bring in a professional to investigate immediately.
2. Structural Integrity
Foundations are meant to stay in one place but, over time, water can cause the soil around the foundation walls to expand. When the water goes away, the soil shrinks and the foundation settles, creating cracks and pathways for water to enter the structure. Water is a natural compactor and when water pools around your home it will eventually cause your footing to sink, causing cracks in foundation walls and creating water entry points.
3. Roof Condition
Your roof is necessary to protect a home from weather elements, damaged shingles could seriously affect the sale price of your house. Most fiberglass shingled roofs will typically last 15 years and will begin showing signs of 
wear after about 12 years. Inspecting the condition of a homes shingles will allow the home owner to budget for future replacement costs.
4. Electrical Problems
Unfortunately many home owners do their own electrical when renovating or adding rooms to their house. This creates two problems: no building permit for renovation and no electrical inspection. If you buy a home which has had “do-it-yourself” work done, then you will assume responsibility for all that work that was done without a permit.
5. Plumbing Problems
One of the most expensive repairs you can have for plumbing is Kitec Pex Plumbing in your home. Kitec is a type of pipe that is vulnerable to premature failure and was recalled by the manufacture in 2005. There were funds available from class action lawsuit but that ended in 2019. Galvanized plumbing was used in the early 1950’s and is long past its expected service life. Many insurance companies will not insure a home with galvanized plumbing.
6. Insect and Pest Infestations
Carpenter ants, certain types of beetles, and termites are amongst the common wood-destroying insects that severely damage a home. When any sign of any insect damage is detected you should call a pest control company right away to evaluate severity of problem and to remedy the pest problem.
7. HVAC System
Testing your homes heating and cooling system can identify faulty equipment. Most furnaces have an expected service life of 20 years, but some units have been known to fail after 15 years. Knowing the age and condition of your HVAC components can allow you to budget for cost of replacement.
For more information regarding Home Inspections Contact Roger
Your home inspector will evaluate the following according to our Standards of Practice
✅ Check all electrical outlets, switches and the fuse/breaker panel.
✅ Flush toilets and turn on faucets to make sure they work and to determine water pressure.
✅ Open and close all the windows.
✅ Check the floors, walls and ceilings for any defects.
✅ Check the basement or foundation for any water leakage.
✅ Inspect the heating and cooling systems.
✅ Check out the attic and any crawl spaces to assess insulation.
✅ Examine in the closets and under the stairs.
✅ Inspect chimneys and flues (in some cases chimneys require an additional inspection from a specialist).
✅ Inspect roof and eavestroughs.
✅ Look around the entire exterior of the building structure looking for signs of weather damage.
✅ Look for any issues with exterior decks and railings.
✅ Inspect the foundation looking for cracks or other issues.
✅ Check the grading around the foundation
Home Inspection Guarantee applies to your Homes Exterior, Interior, Systems, Windows and Doors.
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When purchasing a home in Barrie On contact the Barrie Home Inspector for your Professional Home Inspection. Free Thermal Imaging and 100% Money Back Guarantee.