Three Systems that are Routinely Checked in Home Inspections

Get Peace of Mind with these Tips on Home System Inspections 

Some property conditions require immediate repair and often at the worst possible time.  Perhaps you learned as the temperatures began to drop that the furnace was not working properly, or that the same frigid weather contributed to a pipe burst when the next available service appointments were several days out.  To make matters worse, resources that were plentiful at other times in the year to address routine maintenance and conditions of concern were far more limited at the time of these incidences.  Whether conducting a pre-sale inspection or you’re simply seeking more assurance, consider using these tips in partnership with local professionals to limit surprises and gain more peace about the efficient operation of these systems in your home.

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More Information about these Home Inspection Checklists

The notion of a full formal property inspection rarely surfaces until one’s home is the subject of a purchase or sale, a time when vulnerable homeowners are usually balancing multiple priorities at once.  That scenario is ripe with costly land mines that often include seller concessions to get their homes sold.  That is why scores of appraisals, home inspections, and insights from builders and professionals over the years were reviewed and curated here so that homeowners could discover and address many of the issues commonly identified in home system inspections early on.  Please consider these suggestions during routine maintenance for badly needed peace of mind and preserve your leverage when needed in home sale negotiations.  

29 Tips for a Thorough Home Electrical System Inspection

• Ensure that electrical covers fit tightly over light switches, electrical outlets, and fixtures.  
• Place carbon monoxide detectors near return air vents.
• Install smoke detectors outside of bedrooms on each level.
• Replace older smoke detectors with more modern ones.
• Confirm that smoke detectors have battery backups. 
• Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors annually.
• Confirm that extension cords are not being used with heavy appliances.
• See that extension cords are used only with UL or CSA-tested appliances.
• Check extension cords for deterioration.
• Be sure that extension cords are not being mashed in by furniture, placed under carpets, or passing through walls.
• Address any fixtures that flicker, short, or emit sparking sounds when switched on.
• Replace older light fixtures with more modern ones.
• Ensure that ceiling fans are correctly mounted in boxes and that they work well without movement at the base.
• Confirm that the insulation around all recessed lights is IC Rated.
• Correct any loose, unlevel, or nonworking thermostats.
• Confirm that all bulbs are within the recommended range for the light fixture being used.
• Be sure that all lights including those in the ceiling have plenty of clearance from combustibles.
• Confirm that all electrical outlets fully and safely supply power.
• Ensure that all ground fault circuit interrupters are installed near plumbing outlets and trip when tested.
• Confirm that only the assigned appliances are plugged into their dedicated outlets (fridge-to-fridge outlet, etc.).
• Be sure that air freely circulates around electrical appliances and that they are not easily exposed to moisture.
• Confirm that all electrical circuits are properly, labeled, sized, and secured at entry into the electrical panel.
• Be sure that the path to the electrical panel is clear for easy access during an emergency.
• Check for exposed electrical wires all around the property.
• Make note of any blackened copper electrical wiring found.
• Confirm that all electrical wires are completely insulated, free of corrosion, and crimps, and safely secured to the structure.
• Confirm that all wiring connections are inside junction boxes that are firmly attached to the property.
• Make note of mild shocks when touching a metal appliance, lightbulbs that dim excessively when a heavy appliance is plugged into the same receptacle, and circuits that frequently trip the breaker.
• Be mindful of fixtures that flicker, short out, make strange sounds, or don’t work at all when the power is switched on.

20 Tips for Use in Home Heating and Cooling Inspections

• Have the furnace heat exchanger, pilot light, ignition switch, airflow, and other HVAC System components serviced by a competent service provider.
• Look for and correct any corrosion at the furnace burners, heat exchangers, and pan.
• Address any water puddling around the furnace.
• Determine if a sediment trap is installed at the gas line into the furnace.
• Ensure that the refrigerant line to the condenser is fully insulated.
• Look for and address any blackened evaporator coils or other copper metals.
• Confirm that the condensers are level.
• Ensure that there are at least two feet of clearance around the condensers.
• Carefully spray away debris and dirt from the condensers.
• Clear the HVAC condensate drain of any algae or clogs. 
• Check the air filters and change them if needed.
• Confirm that all ducts are insulated, free of folds, holes, and joints, and firmly connect to the structure of the home.
• Be sure that most of the air registers, at least 80%, are open within the structure.
• Confirm that the system cools and warms all finished rooms of the property.
• See if the fireplace flue damper opens, closes, and properly seals.
• Look for and address any cracks found in the fireplace gas doors.
• Clear any clogged holes in the burners of gas fireplaces.
• Test the fireplace on and off switch for proper operation.
• Replace the wick filter in the furnace humidifier annually.
• Confirm that the humidifier humidistat is set between 35% and 40% relative humidity prior to connecting the water supply.

28 Home Plumbing Inspection Points Checked by Professionals

• Confirm that a drain pan is beneath the water heater, a thermal expansion tank above it, and a discharge pipe is at the pressure relief valve.
• Be sure that the water heater wiring is properly connected.
• Check the water heater supply pipe for corrosion, missing hardware, and leaks.
• Inspect the condition of the sacrificial anode rod up to every three years to determine if 50% of it has been consumed.
• Test the pressure relief and shut-off valves annually.  
• Look for corrosion or rust on the copper fittings and melting at the grommets of the water heater.  
• Examine the supply pipe (dip tube) into the water heater for breaks, and leaks.
• Drain the water heater of debris and sediment a few times per year.
• Confirm that the water heats at each interior fixture.
• Be sure that the water heater has two feet of clearance and is easily accessible.
• Have the septic system serviced by a competent provider at least every five years.
• Be sure that any pipes exposed to extreme temperatures are well-insulated.
• Identify the location of any polybutylene pipes and monitor their condition frequently.
• Look for bulges or other wear in the washing machine hoses.
• Clean and check for odor, and moisture on the pipes, and evidence of past leaks in the pressboard beneath all sinks.
• Repair or replace any corroded plumbing hardware or leaking pipes.
• Check all plumbing fixtures for visible gaps with their surrounding surfaces.
• Confirm that all faucets shut off smoothly at the fixture and valves beneath the counters.  
• Examine the face bowls, showers, and tubs for cracks or evidence of leaks.
• Confirm that the drain stops adequately hold in the water and that sinks and tubs drain easily when stops are removed.
• See if the shower door opens, closes, and latches properly.
• Be sure the commode is firmly attached to the floor and free of any movement.
• See if the commodes stop running after filling the tank.
• Inspect the tank-to-bowl bolt for rust and tightness.
• Inspect all commodes for gurgling sounds and bubbles during flushes, or any failure to fully take away waste in a single flush.  
• Snake the main sewage cleanout every few years.
• Inspect any stains on the ceilings of rooms beneath those with plumbing fixtures, such as a basement beneath a laundry closet.
• See if the water pressure weakens when another spigot is opened.
• Be sure the water is odor-free.

Wrapping Up These Handy Home System Inspection Suggestions

These home system inspection tips will not fully provide the kind of insights that are typically gained through a professional inspector, nor were they presented here to do so.  They may, however, limit surprises by affording the prudent homeowner more time and control over the condition of a home.  So, after the payment of a big bonus, commission, tax refund, etc., have them handy while evaluating the systems of your home or ask a trusted service provider to include them in a routine checkup.  That way, you’re not blindsided by expensive repairs at the worst possible time.