YOUR HOME UNDER A MICROSCOPE

See the steps you need to take before a home inspection.

We at Veldyke know that no home is perfect, even new ones! But we’re here every step of the way to make sure that before your home is inspected for sale or purchase the necessary items are checked off. Below is a basic checklist for an “ideal” home. Start with this as a base and you’ll be on your way to having us help you finish the job!

NOTE!
Obviously this checklist should not be relied upon as a home inspection report, nor should it beconsidered a substitute for a home inspection. This list is representative, NOT all inclusive. If you require a home inspection, please call us for guidance.

• Grounds
  ____ Proper grading drainage away from house
  ____ No evidence of standing water
  ____ No leaks from septic tank or leech field
  ____ Yard, landscaping, trees and walkways in good condition
  ____ No branches or bushes touching house or overhanging the roof
  ____ Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detached garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood
  ____ Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure
  ____ Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from structure
  ____ Downspout drainage directed away from structure
• Structure
  ____ Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level
  ____ Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging
  ____ Window and doorframes appear square (especially bowed windows)
  ____ Visible foundation in good condition – appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks
• Exterior Surfaces
  ____ Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials (6″ minimum); no wood-to-earth contact
  ____ Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay
  ____ Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, spalling or flaking components
  ____ Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)
  ____ Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or loose siding
  ____ No vines on surface of structure
  ____ Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters
  ____ No stains on exterior surfaces
• Windows, Doors and Wood Trim
  ____ Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay
  ____ Joints around frames are caulked
  ____ No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken doublepaned, insulated window seals.
  ____ Muntin and mullion glazing compound in good condition
  ____ Storm windows or thermal glass used
  ____ Drip caps installed over windows
• Roof
  ____ Composition shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing
  ____ Wood shingles or shakes: no mold, rot or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling
  ____ Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/”alligatoring” and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings
  ____ Flashing around roof penetrations
  ____ No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk
  ____ Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains
  ____ Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over
  ____ Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits
  ____ Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition
• Attic
  ____ No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations
  ____ No evidence of decay or damage to structure
  ____ Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)
  ____ Adequate ventilation, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational
  ____ No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic
  ____ No open electrical splices
• Interior Rooms
  ____ Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level
  ____ No stains on floors, walls or ceilings
  ____ Flooring materials in good condition
  ____ No significant cracks in walls or ceilings
  ____ Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, “weep holes” installed
  ____ Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware
  ____ Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition
  ____ Wood trim installed well and in good condition
  ____ Lights and switches operate properly
  ____ Adequate number of three pronged electrical outlets in each room
  ____ Electrical outlets test properly (spot check)
  ____ Heating/cooling source in each habitable room
  ____ Evidence of adequate insulation in walls
  ____ Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining
  on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined
• Kitchen
  ____ Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building
  ____ Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (“GFCI”) protection for electrical outlets within 6
  feet of the sink(s)
  ____ Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly
  ____ No leaks in pipes under sinks
  ____ Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay
  ____ Water flow in sink adequate
  ____ No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes
  ____ Built-in appliances operate properly
  ____ Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly
• Bathrooms
  ____ Working exhaust fan that doesn’t terminate in the attic space
  ____ Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures
  ____ Sink, tub and shower drain properly
  ____ Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition
  ____ If sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn’t leak
  ____ Toilet operates properly
  ____ Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base
  ____ Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area
  ____ Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid
  ____ No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower
• Miscellaneous
  ____ Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances
  ____ Stairway treads and risers solid
  ____ Stair handrails where needed and in good condition
  ____ Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles
• Basement or Mechanical Room
  ____ No evidence of moisture
  ____ Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence
  ____ Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts
  ____ Insula tion at rim/band joists
• Crawl Space
  ____ Adequately vented to exterior
  ____ Insulation on exposed water supply, waste and vent pipes
  ____ Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier
  towards heated area
  ____ No evidence of insect damage
  ____ No evidence of moisture damage
• Plumbing
  ____ Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials
  near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system
  ____ Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate
  quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house.
  ____ Water pump: does not short cycle
  ____ Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow
  ____ Well water test is acceptable
  ____ Hot water temperature between 118 – 125 degrees Fahrenheit
• Electrical
  ____ Visible wiring: in good condition, no “knob-and-tube” wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected
  ____ Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating
  ____ No aluminum cable for branch circuits
• Heating/Cooling System
  ____ Appears to operate well throughout (good air flow on forced hot air systems)
  ____ Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection
  ____ No rust around cooling unit
  ____ No combustion gas odor
  ____ Air filter(s) clean
  ____ Ductwork in good condition
  ____ No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts
  ____ Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal