What I observe during a typical inspection
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
1. foundation
2. floors
3. walls
4. columns
5. ceilings
6. roofs
EXTERIOR
1. wall cladding, flashings and trim.
2. entryway doors and representative number of windows.
3. garage door operators.
4. decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, and porches including railings.
5. eaves, soffits and fascias.
6. vegetation, grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways and retaining walls with respect to their effect on the condition of the building.
ROOFING
1. roof coverings.
2. roof drainage systems.
3. flashings.
4. skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations.
5. signs of leaks or abnormal condensation on building components.
PLUMBING
A. Interior water supply and distribution system including:
1. piping materials, including supports and insulation.
2. fixtures and faucets.
3. functional flow.
4. leaks.
5. cross connections.
B. Interior drain, waste and vent system, including:
1. traps; drain, waste, and vent piping; piping supports and pipe insulation.
2. leaks.
3. functional drainage
C. Hot water systems including:
1. water heating equipment.
2. normal operating controls.
3. automatic safety controls.
4. chimneys, flues and vents
D. Fuel storage and distribution systems including:
1. interior fuel storage equipment, supply piping, venting and supports.
2. leaks.
E. Sump pumps.
ELECTRICAL
1. service entrance conductors.
2. service equipment, grounding equipment, main overcurrent device, main and distribution panels.
3. amperage and voltage ratings of the service.
4. branch circuit conductors, their overcurrent devices, and the compatibility of their ampacities and voltages.
5. the operation of a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles located inside the house, garage, and on its exterior walls.
6. the polarity and grounding of all receptacles within six feet of interior plumbing fixtures and all receptacles in the garage or carport, and on the exterior of inspected structures.
7. the operation of ground fault circuit interrupters.
HEATING
Permanently installed heating systems including:
1. heating equipment.
2. normal operating controls.
3. automatic safety controls.
4. chimneys, flues and vents.
5. solid fuel heating devices.
6. heat distribution systems including fans, pumps, ducts and piping, with supports, dampers, insulation, air filters, registers, radiators, fan coil units, convectors.
7. the presence of an installed heat source in each room.
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING
A. Central air conditioning including:
1. cooling and air handling equipment.
normal operating controls.
B. distribution systems including:
1. fans, pumps, ducts and piping, with supports, dampers, insulation, air filters, registers, fan-coil units.
2. the presence of an installed cooling source in each room.
INTERIORS
1. walls, ceiling and floors.
2. steps, stairways, balconies and railings.
3. counters and a representative number of cabinets.
4. a representative number of doors and windows.
5. separation walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling unit and an attached garage or another dwelling unit.
INSULATION & VENTILATION
1. insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. kitchen, bathroom, and laundry venting systems.