10 Things to Pay Attention to When Inspecting a Home in the United States

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In the United States, after buying a house, you will have a house inspection. So what should be inspected during the house inspection? What are the precautions? Today, I have sorted out 10 aspects for you to take a look at when you conduct a house inspection after buying a house.

 

Proper ground slope directs rainwater outward; no standing water (ponding water); no leaks in septic tanks and septic tank drain fields; yards, patios, trees, and sidewalks in good condition; no branches or bushes touching the house or overhanging the roof; fences, sheds, patio decking, retaining walls, and detached garages in good condition with no signs of termite damage or wood rot; railings on stairs and patios are sturdy; driveways, sidewalks, patios, and entryways are in good condition and slope away from the building; and storm sewer outlet pipes are directed away from the building.

 

The ridge and fascia board are straight and level; the sides of the house appear straight, with no bows or sagging; the window and door frames appear square (especially bowed windows); and the portion of the foundation above grade (the visible portion) is straight, perpendicular to the ground, and has no cracks.

 

Wooden door and window frames and trim are solid, free of cracks, rot or corrosion; gaps around frames are caulked; window glass, double panes and thermal seals are undamaged; window grilles and adhesives are in good condition; storm windows or thermal glass are used; and drip strips are installed above windows.

 

No curling, no lifting of shingles, no missing gravel on asphalt shingles, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of shingles on the roof; no mold, rot or decay on shingles, no cracks/breaks/missing, no curling; no obvious patches on flat roofs, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters, cracks and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicating improper drainage), flashings at corners are sealed; flashings are on chimneys, vents at joints where they penetrate the roof panels; no excessive cement/asphalt/caulking on the roof; vents at eaves are clean and unpainted; no rot or rust on rain gutters, sealed at joints, firmly fixed to the building structure, no bending or sagging, no missing parts; clean and no silt deposits; chimneys are straight, flashings are properly installed, bricks are not damaged, joints are not cracked, and mortar/cement caps are in good condition.

 

Floors, walls, and ceilings appear straight and plumb; No stains on floors, walls, or ceilings (which could indicate a leak); Flooring material is in good condition; No visible cracks in walls and ceilings; Doors and windows open and close properly, no rot, no broken glass, windows not sealed with paint, doors and windows have weather stripping, brick walls have ventilation holes; Paint, wall trim, and paneling are in good condition; Wood trim is well installed and in good condition; Lights and switches work properly; There are enough three-prong electrical outlets in each room; Electrical outlets test properly; Heating/cooling is available in each living room; Adequate insulation in walls; Fireplace: no cracks or damage, no smoke backflow, damper works properly, flue is clean, and flue is lined.

 

The exhaust fan can exhaust smoke to the outside; the ground fault circuit breaker is installed within 6 feet of the sink; the dishwasher drains normally, there is no leakage, and the basket and door springs are functioning normally; the water pipes under the sink are not leaking; the cabinet floor under the sink is solid and has no stains or corrosion; the water flow in the sink is smooth; the food waste disposer has no excessive rust; the built-in appliances are functioning normally; the cabinets are in good condition, and the doors and drawers open and close normally.

 

The exhaust fan outlet is not in the attic; the water pressure and flow of the faucet and shower head are normal; the washbasin, bathtub and shower room drain normally; the water pipes under the sink and the cabinet base are in good condition; if the sink is metal, there is no rust and the overflow is not leaking; the toilet works properly; the toilet is stable and not shaking, and there are no stains around the base; the gaps inside and outside the bathtub and shower are in good condition; the floor tiles in the bathtub and shower are firm and the walls are solid; there are no stains or signs of previous leaks around the bathtub and shower.

 

There is no visible damage to pipes, no signs of leaks, and no stains on the materials; the drain pipe is slightly tilted downward toward the outlet of the septic tank/sewer system; the water heater is not rusted, has good ventilation, and the water heater is large enough to serve all bedrooms; the water pump does not short cycle (frequently on and off); the galvanized pipe does not restrict water flow; the well water quality tests within acceptable range; the hot water temperature is between 118-125 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Visible wiring is in good condition, with no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed joints, and wires are secured and protected; the electrical box has sufficient capacity and all wires are connected to the panel through wire connectors; fuses or circuit breakers are not overheated; no aluminum wire is used for branch wiring.

 

Operates well throughout the cooling/heating process; the flue has no gaps and is tilted toward the chimney; there is no rust around the cooling unit; there is no smell of burning gases; the air filter is clean; the pipes are in good condition; there is no asbestos on the heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts; if different fuels (such as natural gas/diesel/propane/wood/coal) are used, they have separate flues.