The House “Looks” Great - So, What Does a Home Inspector Find?

The process of finding a home… Oh how exciting and stressful it is…

At first glance homes may reveal a lot about themselves. Whether it be their defining features that make them appealing in the first place or some glaring deficiencies. Other times however, some things may not be as obvious on that first walkthrough the home.

It is for that reason that an inspection is ALWAYS RECOMMENDED!

Today’s insights are going to be looking at the entirety of the inspection process and highlight why they are such a vital part of the home buying process.

Exterior — Starting From the Outside

The exterior of a home is its first line of defence against the elements, and there is plenty to look at beyond curb appeal.

During an inspection, we look at the roof coverings, gutters and downspouts, siding, windows and doors, decks, stairs, balconies, exterior penetrations, grading and other visible components surrounding the home.

Some deficiencies can be easy to spot, while others may be much more subtle. Improper drainage, deteriorated sealants, damaged flashing or siding installed too close to grade may not look particularly concerning at first, but they can increase the potential for moisture intrusion and deterioration over time.

The goal is to determine how well the exterior is protecting the home — and identify areas that may need maintenance, repair or further attention.

Attic — What’s Going On Above You?

The attic is probably not the first stop during your walkthrough of a potential new home — but for an inspector, it can provide a huge amount of information.

Inside the attic, we look at the visible roof structure, insulation, ventilation, bathroom and kitchen exhaust ducts, signs of moisture, staining and evidence of previous or active roof leakage.

The attic can also reveal clues about how the home has performed over the years. Condensation, inadequate ventilation or improperly terminated exhaust fans can contribute to moisture-related issues that you would never know were there while standing in the beautifully finished room below.

Sometimes, you just have to look up!

Structure — The Bones of the Home

Behind all those nice finishes is the structure actually holding everything together.

Where accessible and visible, an inspection looks at components such as the foundation, floor structure, beams, columns, roof framing and other structural elements. We also look for signs that may indicate movement or alteration, such as cracking, uneven floors, damaged framing or modifications to structural components.

Not every crack means there is a serious structural problem — homes move, settle and change over time. The important part is recognizing when something may warrant further investigation.

After all, countertops and flooring can be replaced. The structure underneath them is a little more important!

Heating & Cooling — Keeping Things Comfortable

You probably checked that the home has heat, but what type of system is it? How old is it? How is it vented? And what condition is it actually in?

Depending on the home, heating and cooling equipment may include furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, boilers, baseboard heaters, fireplaces and other systems.

During an inspection, we operate accessible equipment using normal controls and look at visible components such as venting, distribution systems, filters, condensate drainage and general equipment condition.

An older furnace that operates perfectly during the inspection isn’t necessarily a problem — but knowing that it may be approaching the end of its expected service life is valuable information when planning for the future.

Plumbing — More Than Turning on the Tap

Turn on the faucet, water comes out. Everything must be good, right?

Not quite!

The plumbing portion of an inspection looks at the visible water supply and drainage systems throughout the home. This can include identifying piping materials, checking fixtures, testing drainage, looking for signs of leakage or corrosion and inspecting the water heater and other accessible plumbing components.

Certain plumbing materials or installation practices can also provide important information about the home’s age and potential future maintenance needs.

A small drip today might be an easy repair. A hidden history of moisture damage or aging plumbing components could be a different story.

Electrical — What You Can’t See Still Matters

Modern light fixtures, fancy switches and new receptacles can make a home feel completely updated — but they don’t necessarily tell us what’s happening behind the scenes.

The electrical inspection includes accessible components such as the service equipment, electrical panel, breakers, visible wiring and a representative number of receptacles, switches and fixtures throughout the home.

We may identify things such as improper wiring, missing safety protection, open grounds, reversed polarity, damaged components or evidence of previous modifications.

Electrical systems are also one area where DIY work can occasionally make an appearance. Something may function normally while still not being installed properly.

That new chandelier might look great — we’re a little more interested in what’s powering it!

Interior — Finally, the Part Everyone Sees

This is the part of the home you’ve probably spent the most time looking at already.

During the interior portion of an inspection, we look beyond the paint colours and finishes and evaluate accessible components such as walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, stairs, railings, installed fixtures and other visible interior components.

We’re looking for signs of moisture, damage, deterioration, safety concerns and clues that may point toward issues elsewhere in the home.

A stain on a ceiling, for example, isn’t just a cosmetic concern. Where did the moisture come from? Is there a bathroom above it? Is the roof nearby? Is the staining old or are there signs that the issue could still be active?

Sometimes the smallest visual clues can lead us to ask the most important questions.

So… The House Still Looks Great!

And hopefully it is!

A home inspection isn’t about walking into a beautiful home and trying to find reasons not to buy it. It’s about taking a closer look at the home so you can better understand exactly what you’re buying.

Some inspections uncover significant concerns. Others uncover a handful of maintenance items. And sometimes we get to tell you that many of the home’s major components appear to be performing well.

All of that information is valuable.

The finishes are what make you fall in love with a home.

The inspection helps you understand what’s behind them.

We hope you enjoyed these insights!