Components of Your Home
The Structure
The structure of your home is what gives it shape and strength. The most commonly asked questions of a professional home inspector are related to evulating the condition of the structure.
The two main components of the structure are the foundation and the framing system.
Each of these components are critical in providing the building with long lasting comfort and stability. Major defects in the structure can be very expensive and extensive to repair.
The Roof
The roof is part of the exterior but requires more individual attention. It is designed to protect all the components of the dwelling. There are many roof styles and finished materials. Each style and material is inspected carefully for leaks, wear, defects and other deficiencies.
Roofing problems that go undetected can cause serious harm to other components of the building.
Your inspector will carefully evaluate the condition of the material used, note defects, and discuss the possible remaining life expectancy of the roof surface.
The Mechanical
The mechanical system of the dwelling are designed to provide a comfortable and safe living environment. Each system has many components and ther are many types of each system.
An inspector’s skill and experience are used to evaluate the safe operational condition of each system and to report any defects discovered. The mechanical systems emcompass the entire dwelling and exterior portions.
Your inspectors unique training, skills and experience will seperate him in these areas from untrained or inexperienced inspectors.
The Exterior
The exterior of the building includes: siding, trim, gutters and downspouts, decks, garage, roof, windows, patios, stoops, grounds, and related items.
Each of these items is inspected not only for it’s condition, but how it relates to the dwelling.
Defects in exterior components such as siding and windows can greatly affect other components of the home.
The exterior of the building is designed to protect the interior from mother nature.
The Interior
The interior of the home includes all various rooms and related items, which are not covered in other aspects of your home inspection on the interior of the dwelling.
The inspector will go through every room including all visible and accessible areas of your home. This is very important because symptoms of larger problems are often visible in various rooms.
Settling can be noticed in floors & walls. Roof or plumbing leaks may be noticed on ceilings and floors. Poor workmanship may be visible on items such as heat convection and outlets.
Cosmetic items such as worn paint and old carpeting may indicate a general lack of maintenence.
When a home is in need of a lot of cosmetic work, your inspector has already seen a red flag.
Recently performed cosmetic work is also carefully inspected to determine if it has been done to conceal deeper & more extensive problems.