EXTERIOR
4.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the exterior wall covering, flashing and trim.
2. all exterior doors.
3. attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings.
4. the eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from the ground level.
5. the vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls on the property when any of these are likely to adversely affect the building.
6. walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling entrances.
B. describe the exterior wall covering.
4.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories.
2. fences.
3. geological, geotechnical or hydrological conditions.
4. recreational facilities.
5. outbuildings.
6. seawalls, break-walls, and docks.
7. erosion control and earth stabilization measures.
5. ROOF SYSTEM
5.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the roof covering.
2. the roof drainage systems.
3. the flashings.
4. the skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.
B. describe the roof covering and report the methods used to inspect the roof.
5.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. antennae.
2. interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible.
3. other installed accessories.
6. PLUMBING SYSTEM
6.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the visible portion of the interior water supply and distribution systems including all fixtures and faucets.
2. the visible portion of the drain, waste and vent systems including all fixtures.
3. the water heating equipment.
4. the visible portion of the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
5. the fuel storage and visible portion of the fuel distribution systems.
6. the visible portion of the drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
6.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. the clothes washing machine connections.
2. the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible.
3. wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment.
4. water conditioning systems.
5. solar water heating systems.
6. fire and lawn sprinkler systems.
7. private waste disposal systems.
B. determine:
1. whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private.
2. the quantity or quality of the water supply.
C. operate safety valves or shut-off valves.
7. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the service drop.
2. the visible portion of the service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
3. the service equipment and main disconnects.
4. the visible portion of the service grounding.
5. the interior components of service panels and sub panels where accessible.
6. the visible portion of the conductors.
7. the overcurrent protection devices.
8. a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
B. describe:
1. the amperage and voltage rating of the service.
C. report:
1. on the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring if visible.
2. on the absence of smoke detectors.
7.2 The inspector is NOT required
to:
A. inspect:
1. the remote control devices unless the device is the only control device.
2. the alarm systems and components.
3. the low voltage wiring, systems and components.
4. the ancillary wiring, systems and components not a part of the primary electrical power distribution system.
B. measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.
8. HEATING SYSTEM
8.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the installed visible portion of the heating equipment.
2. the visible portion of the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
8.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys.
2. the heat exchanger.
3. the humidifier or dehumidifier.
4. the electronic air filter.
5. the solar space heating system.
B. determine heat supply adequacy or distribution balance.
9. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
9.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect the installed central and through-wall cooling equipment.
9.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect electronic air filters.
B. determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance.
10. INTERIOR
10.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the visible portion of the walls, ceilings, and floors.
2. the steps, stairways, and railings.
3. the visible portion of the countertops and a representative number of installed cabinets.
4. the visible portion of a representative number of doors and windows.
5. garage doors and garage door operators.
10.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. the paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments.
2. the carpeting.
3. the window treatments.
4. the central vacuum systems.
5. the household appliances.
6. recreational facilities.
11. INSULATION AND VENTILATION
11.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the visible portion of the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. the ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
11.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. disturb insulation or vapor retarders.
B. determine indoor air quality.
12. FIREPLACES AND SOLID FUEL BURNING
APPLIANCES
12.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the system components.
2. the visible portion of the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
12.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys.
2. the firescreens and doors.
3. the seals and gaskets.
4. the automatic fuel feed devices.
5. the mantels and fireplace surrounds.
6. the combustion make-up air devices.
7. the heat distribution assists whether gravity controlled or fan assisted.
B. ignite or extinguish fires or pilot lights.
C. determine draft characteristics.
D. move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.
13. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
13.1 General limitations:
A. Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice
1. are not technically exhaustive.
2. will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.
B. These Standards of Practice are applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or carports.
13.2 General exclusions:
A. The inspector is not required to perform any action or make any determin ation unless specifically stated in these Standards of Practice, except as may be required by lawful authority.
B. Inspectors are NOT required to determine:
1. the condition of systems or components which are not readily accessible.
2. the remaining life of any system or component.
3. the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component.
4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
5. the methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
6. future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
7. the suitability of the property for any specialized use.
8. compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
9. the market value of the property or its marketability.
10. the advisability of the purchase of the property.
11. the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans.
12. the presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
13. the effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
14. the operating costs of systems or components.
15. the acoustical properties of any system or component.
C. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:
1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.
2. or perform engineering services.
3. or perform work in any trade or any professional service other than home inspection.
4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.
D.
Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
1. any system or component which is shut down or otherwise inoperable.
2. any system or component which does not respond to normal operating controls.
3. shut-off valves.
E.
Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
1. any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components.
2. the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily accessible.
3. any space smaller than 18” in height or 24” in width.
4. any attic or unfinished space where walk boards and fixed safe lighting is not installed.
5. any roof where access is higher than 11' from garde.
6. any roof that is brittle of frigile or wher roof supports are suspect.
F.
Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
1. underground items including, but not limited to underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active.
2. systems or components which are not installed.
3. decorative items.
4. systems or components located in areas that are not entered in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
5. detached structures.
6. common elements or common areas in multiunit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
G.
Inspectors are NOT required to:
1. perform any procedure or operation which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components.
2. move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture, carpets, drapes, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
3. dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these Standards of Practice.
Definitions
Dismantle
To take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that would not be taken apart or removed by a homeowner in the course of normal and routine homeowner operation.
Engineering Service
Any professional service or creative work requiring engineering education, training, and experience and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences to such professional service or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design and supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring compliance with the specifications and design, in conjunction with structures, buildings,
machines, equipment, works or processes
Further Evaluation
Examination and analysis by a qualified professional, tradesman or service technician beyond that provided by
the home inspection
Home Inspection
The process by which an inspector visually examines the readily accessible systems and components of a home and which describes those systems and components in accordance with these Standards of Practice
Household Appliances
Kitchen, laundry, and similar appliances, whether installed or free-standing
Inspect
To examine readily accessible systems and components of a building in accordance with these Standards of Practice, using normal operating controls and opening readily accessible and openable access panels
Inspector
A person hired to examine any system or component of a building in accordance with these Standards of Practice
Installed
Attached such that removal requires tools
Normal Operating Controls
Devices such as thermostats, switches or valves intended to be operated by the homeowner
Readily Accessible
Available for visual inspection without requiring moving of personal property, dismantling, destructive measures, code complying location, or any action which will likely involve risk to persons or property
Readily Openable Access Panel
A panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance that is within normal reach, can be removed by one person, and is not sealed in place
Recreational Facilities
Spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, exercise, entertainment, athletic, playground or other similar
equipment and associated accessories
Report
To communicate in writing
Roof Drainage Systems
Components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building
Significantly Deficient
Unsafe or not functioning
Shut Down
A state in which a system or component cannot be operated by normal operating controls
Solid Fuel Burning Appliances
A hearth and fire chamber or similar prepared place in which a fire may be built and which is built in conjunction with a chimney; or a listed assembly of a fire chamber, its chimney and related factory-made parts designed for unit assembly without requiring field construction
Structural Component
A component that supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads)
System
A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions
Technically Exhaustive
An investigation that involves dismantling, the extensive use of advanced techniques, measurements, instruments, testing, calculations, or other means
Under-floor Crawl Space
The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the floor
Unsafe
A condition in a readily accessible, installed system or component, which is judged to be a significant risk of personal injury during normal, day-to-day use. The risk may be due to damage, deterioration, improper installation or a change in accepted residential construction standards
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