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Examples include:
1. SITE CHARACTERISTICS
2. STRUCTURE
3. CRAWL SPACE WATER ENTRY
4. VENTILATION
5. AIR CONDITIONING / HVAC
6. PLUMBING SYSTEMS
7. ELECTRICAL
8. INTERIOR
9. EXTERIOR
10. ROOFING
11. SAFETY
1. SITE CHARACTERISTICS
The inspector observes, evaluates & reports on-site characteristics as follows:
Surface drainage characteristics as it relates to the structure
Condition of walkways and exterior stairways
Condition of driveways and other paved or masonry areas
The inspector is not required to examine/report on:
Retaining walls, sea walls, waterfront bulkheads, docks and piers.
Landscaping, trees and shrubs
2. STRUCTURE
The inspector will observe, report, evaluate structural adequacy as follows:
Visible foundation components
Visible floor framing
Visible roof framing
Structural performance based on visual, detectable movement
Structural soundness and adequacy based on visual inspection
Visible evidence of significant deterioration or other forms of structural damage which
would have an impact on the overall structural soundness and structural integrity of the
building
Visible evidence of structural distress or structural damage such as leaning walls,
sagging, beams or joist, unbraced trusses, damaged framing, fire damage, etc.
Visible evidence of failure or deterioration of the foundation system such as severe
cracking, inward movement, frost heave, etc.
The inspector is not required to:
Enter crawl spaces or attic spaces where access is less than 18"x24"
Enter spaces where headroom is less than 30"
Enter spaces where entry is obstructed
Enter spaces where adverse or dangerous situations are suspected
Enter spaces where entry may cause property damage
3. CRAWL SPACE WATER ENTRY
Inspector will observe, report and evaluate crawl space water entry as follows:
Evidence of water entry into the crawl space or basement
Rain water runoff system including gutters, downspouts, extensions or splash blocks, as
it relates to possible crawl space water entry
Relevance of exterior surface drainage to crawl space water ingress
The inspectoris not required to:
Operate inactive mechanical components
Excavate subsurface drainage systems
4. VENTILATION
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate ventilation as follows:
Crawl space ventilation
Attic ventilation
Mechanical ventilation for kitchens and bathrooms
Laundry room ventilation
Evidence of condensation and other consequences of inadequate ventilation when visible
using normal inspection techniques
The inspector is not required to:
Evaluate ventilation relative to code compliance (evaluation is for practical adequacy)
Evaluate concealed ventilation systems
5. AIR CONDITIONING / HVAC
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate HVAC equipment as follows:
Cooling and air handling equipment type
Physical condition of the cooling equipment
Zoning/distribution
The inspector will test using operator controls:
All permanently installed equipment
The inspector is not required to:
Test when weather or other circumstances may cause equipment damage
Test prior to unit being serviced after seasonal shutdown or when off-season equipment
covers are presently installed
Take pressure or temperature readings using gauges
Make calculations to determine capacity
6. PLUMBING SYSTEMS
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate plumbing systems as follows:
Interior water supply distribution system
Water supply and piping
Fixtures and faucets
Water pressure and water flow
Presence of visible cross connections
Backflow prevention devices
Interior drain, waste and vent system
Traps, drains, waste, and piping supports
Evidence of leaks
Evidence of problems with wastewater systems
Domestic hot water system
Fuel storage and distribution system
Leaks in above ground oil tanks and visible piping
Condition of visible gas piping, gas metering and LPG gas system
The inspector will test:
Interior fixtures for adequacy of pressure where not connected to an appliance
Interior fixtures for adequacy of drainage
Interior fixtures for presence or absence of leaks
The inspector is not required to:
Test water pressure and water flow with the use of instruments or measurements
Inspect or test underground septic systems or tank(s)
7. ELECTRICAL
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate electrical equipment as follows:
Service entrance conductors
Service equipment, grounding, main overcurrent devices
Main and distribution panels
Amperage and voltage ratings
Branch circuit overcurrent devices
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices
Need for immediate or imminent repairs and/or upgrading
Any observed aluminum or copper-clad aluminum branch circuit wiring
The inspector will test:
Operation of a representative number of lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles
Operation of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices
The inspector is not required to:
Insert any tool, probe or testing device inside the panels
Test or operate any overcurrent device
Dismantle devices other than to remove the cover of the main control panel
Evaluate telephone, security, cable TV intercoms or other low voltage ancillary wiring
which are not part of the primary electrical distribution system
8. INTERIOR
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate interior components as follows:
Walls, ceilings, and floors including tile work and trim
Steps, stairways, balconies, and railings
Cabinets and counters
Representative number of windows and doors
Separation walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling and an attached garage or
adjoining dwelling
The inspector is not required to:
Comment on aesthetics or design
Comment on wear and tear
9. EXTERIOR
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate exterior components as follows:
Garage door operators including automatic reversing operation
Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, and porches including railings
Exterior wall coverings, flashings and trim
Primary windows and doors
Eaves, soffits and fascias
The inspector is not required to:
Report on outbuildings unless included by agreement prior to the inspection
10. ROOFING
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate roofing as follows:
Roof surfacing
Roof drainage systems
Flashings
Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations
Evidence of leaks, condensation
The inspector is not required to:
Walk on the roofing but should describe the methods used to observe and evaluate the
roofing components using binoculars, ground observation, ladder usage, etc.
11. SAFETY
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate:
Condition and adequacy of handrails and guardrails
Condition of stairways
Glass vulnerable to human impact
Smoke alarms
Fire separation at chimneys and garages
Solid fuel appliance installation (wood stove)
The inspector is not required to:
Check Carbon monoxide detectors
Check code compliance
Check ADA compliance
NOTE:
Additional components or systems inspections can be included
by special agreement prior to the inspection.
1. SITE CHARACTERISTICS
2. STRUCTURE
3. CRAWL SPACE WATER ENTRY
4. VENTILATION
5. AIR CONDITIONING / HVAC
6. PLUMBING SYSTEMS
7. ELECTRICAL
8. INTERIOR
9. EXTERIOR
10. ROOFING
11. SAFETY
1. SITE CHARACTERISTICS
The inspector observes, evaluates & reports on-site characteristics as follows:
Surface drainage characteristics as it relates to the structure
Condition of walkways and exterior stairways
Condition of driveways and other paved or masonry areas
The inspector is not required to examine/report on:
Retaining walls, sea walls, waterfront bulkheads, docks and piers.
Landscaping, trees and shrubs
2. STRUCTURE
The inspector will observe, report, evaluate structural adequacy as follows:
Visible foundation components
Visible floor framing
Visible roof framing
Structural performance based on visual, detectable movement
Structural soundness and adequacy based on visual inspection
Visible evidence of significant deterioration or other forms of structural damage which
would have an impact on the overall structural soundness and structural integrity of the
building
Visible evidence of structural distress or structural damage such as leaning walls,
sagging, beams or joist, unbraced trusses, damaged framing, fire damage, etc.
Visible evidence of failure or deterioration of the foundation system such as severe
cracking, inward movement, frost heave, etc.
The inspector is not required to:
Enter crawl spaces or attic spaces where access is less than 18"x24"
Enter spaces where headroom is less than 30"
Enter spaces where entry is obstructed
Enter spaces where adverse or dangerous situations are suspected
Enter spaces where entry may cause property damage
3. CRAWL SPACE WATER ENTRY
Inspector will observe, report and evaluate crawl space water entry as follows:
Evidence of water entry into the crawl space or basement
Rain water runoff system including gutters, downspouts, extensions or splash blocks, as
it relates to possible crawl space water entry
Relevance of exterior surface drainage to crawl space water ingress
The inspectoris not required to:
Operate inactive mechanical components
Excavate subsurface drainage systems
4. VENTILATION
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate ventilation as follows:
Crawl space ventilation
Attic ventilation
Mechanical ventilation for kitchens and bathrooms
Laundry room ventilation
Evidence of condensation and other consequences of inadequate ventilation when visible
using normal inspection techniques
The inspector is not required to:
Evaluate ventilation relative to code compliance (evaluation is for practical adequacy)
Evaluate concealed ventilation systems
5. AIR CONDITIONING / HVAC
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate HVAC equipment as follows:
Cooling and air handling equipment type
Physical condition of the cooling equipment
Zoning/distribution
The inspector will test using operator controls:
All permanently installed equipment
The inspector is not required to:
Test when weather or other circumstances may cause equipment damage
Test prior to unit being serviced after seasonal shutdown or when off-season equipment
covers are presently installed
Take pressure or temperature readings using gauges
Make calculations to determine capacity
6. PLUMBING SYSTEMS
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate plumbing systems as follows:
Interior water supply distribution system
Water supply and piping
Fixtures and faucets
Water pressure and water flow
Presence of visible cross connections
Backflow prevention devices
Interior drain, waste and vent system
Traps, drains, waste, and piping supports
Evidence of leaks
Evidence of problems with wastewater systems
Domestic hot water system
Fuel storage and distribution system
Leaks in above ground oil tanks and visible piping
Condition of visible gas piping, gas metering and LPG gas system
The inspector will test:
Interior fixtures for adequacy of pressure where not connected to an appliance
Interior fixtures for adequacy of drainage
Interior fixtures for presence or absence of leaks
The inspector is not required to:
Test water pressure and water flow with the use of instruments or measurements
Inspect or test underground septic systems or tank(s)
7. ELECTRICAL
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate electrical equipment as follows:
Service entrance conductors
Service equipment, grounding, main overcurrent devices
Main and distribution panels
Amperage and voltage ratings
Branch circuit overcurrent devices
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices
Need for immediate or imminent repairs and/or upgrading
Any observed aluminum or copper-clad aluminum branch circuit wiring
The inspector will test:
Operation of a representative number of lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles
Operation of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices
The inspector is not required to:
Insert any tool, probe or testing device inside the panels
Test or operate any overcurrent device
Dismantle devices other than to remove the cover of the main control panel
Evaluate telephone, security, cable TV intercoms or other low voltage ancillary wiring
which are not part of the primary electrical distribution system
8. INTERIOR
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate interior components as follows:
Walls, ceilings, and floors including tile work and trim
Steps, stairways, balconies, and railings
Cabinets and counters
Representative number of windows and doors
Separation walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling and an attached garage or
adjoining dwelling
The inspector is not required to:
Comment on aesthetics or design
Comment on wear and tear
9. EXTERIOR
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate exterior components as follows:
Garage door operators including automatic reversing operation
Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, and porches including railings
Exterior wall coverings, flashings and trim
Primary windows and doors
Eaves, soffits and fascias
The inspector is not required to:
Report on outbuildings unless included by agreement prior to the inspection
10. ROOFING
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate roofing as follows:
Roof surfacing
Roof drainage systems
Flashings
Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations
Evidence of leaks, condensation
The inspector is not required to:
Walk on the roofing but should describe the methods used to observe and evaluate the
roofing components using binoculars, ground observation, ladder usage, etc.
11. SAFETY
The inspector will observe, report and evaluate:
Condition and adequacy of handrails and guardrails
Condition of stairways
Glass vulnerable to human impact
Smoke alarms
Fire separation at chimneys and garages
Solid fuel appliance installation (wood stove)
The inspector is not required to:
Check Carbon monoxide detectors
Check code compliance
Check ADA compliance
NOTE:
Additional components or systems inspections can be included
by special agreement prior to the inspection.
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| Home Inspectors Serving: Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, Lantana, Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, Singer Island, Loxahatchee, Lake Park, Green Beach, Ocean Ridge, Highland Beach, North Palm Beach, Manalapan and Jupiter Island. |
What to Expect in an MTC HOME INSPECTIONS Report
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