Preparing Your Home
For Inspection
Many
consumers are now
hiring home inspectors before they purchase a home. There are
hundreds of items in your home that an Inspector will be
looking at. Many of these items may be taken care of with
little or no
cost. Some of these items indicate to
the Inspector and
to the
Buyer that the house has been properly maintained. Do these things:
1. Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding.
Preferably 6 or more inches of clearance. This is a leading cause of mold growth as well as insect infestation.
2. Clean out dirty
gutters or debris from the roof.
3. Divert
all water away from house, i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation
drain, etc. Grade should slope away from
structure. Clean
out basement entry drains.
4. Trim trees,
roots and bushes back from the foundation,
roof, siding, and chimney.
5. Paint all
weathered exterior wood, and caulk around
trim, chimneys, windows and doors.
6. Seal asphalt
driveways if it is cracking.
7. Seal or point up
masonry chimney caps. Install a metal
flue cap.
8. Clean or replace
HVAC filter. Clean dirty air returns
and plenum.
9. Point up any
failing mortar joints in brick or block.
10. Test all smoke
detectors, install CO detectors if
needed.
11. Update attic
ventilation if none is present.
12. Clean &
service chimney, fireplace, or
woodstove (provide a copy for the buyer).
13. Seal masonry
walls in basement if old stains are
present.
14. Don't
do quick or cheap repairs, i.e. (giant caulk repairs) this will clue in an
Inspector that amateur work has been done and will tend to make him
look even closer at the house.
15. Put all windows
and doors in proper operating
condition, including any cracked windows.
16. Put all
plumbing fixtures, toilet, tub, shower,
sinks, in proper working condition. Look for any visible leaks and
repair them.
17.
Install GFCI receptacles near all appropriate areas (any outlets within
6 feet of a water source), and test all present GFCI receptacles for
proper operation.
18. Check sump pump
for proper operation and inspect
condition of crock (pit) and drain-tile.
19. Replace any
burned out light bulbs.
20. Remove rotting
wood and all firewood from contact
with house.
21. Proper grading
is recommended under deck, with filter
cloth and gravel.
22. Peroxide in sump
pump or condensate drains will reduce
odors and bacteria.
23. Caulk all
exterior wall penetrations.
24. Caulk all tub
and shower fixtures.
25. Caulk along
tub/floor, tub/walls, tub/shower/glass
doors.
26. Check
that the crawlspace is dry and install a proper vapor barrier. Remove any
visible moisture from crawlspace. Moisture levels in wood should be
below 20%, to deter rot and mildew.
27. Check that
bathrooms are properly vented.
28. Remove paints,
solvents, gas, debris, etc. from
crawlspace, basement, attic, and porch.
29. Check that
toilets are secured tightly to the floor.
30. Where windows
are at or below grade, install window
wells and covers.
31. Remove grade
from contact with foundation vents.
32. Have clear
access to all attic, crawlspace, heat
systems, garage and other areas that will need to be inspected.
33. If house is
vacant be sure that all utilities are turned on
for the inspection.
I adhere to the NACHI
Standards of Practice
and the NACHI Code of Ethics.
NACHI Standards of Practice
NACHI Code of Ethics
Proudly
Serving the Following Counties:
Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Payette,
Valley, Washington and Malheur
Oxbow Home Inspections • PO Box 2144 Eagle, ID 83616• 208.573.5300
Troy Farmer: Owner/Inspector • E-Mail: info@troyfarmer.com
© 2007- 2010 Oxbow Home
Inspections and Radon Testing, LLC |
