Home Inspection Standards of Practice

Standards of Practice work in the home inspection industry help define and recognize the Best Home Inspectors in Knoxville TN, and let their profession gain traction within the real estate market. Furthermore, it is also a way to guide the home inspectors about their duties and add details about what they are supposed to do and what they can leave out. These blogs talk about some of the significant standards of practice that home inspectors should follow. Note that, following the standards of practice, the home inspector has to satisfy their clients, be unbiased, report a thorough home inspection report, and give them a standardized service.

Roof

An inspector examining the roof has a responsibility to evaluate each component of the roof’s condition. The inspector will also identify the root of any issues if any components have problems. The primary areas of concern and what inspectors check for are listed below.

Soffits, Fascia, and Drip Edges – The inspector will assess the soffit material covering the roof overhang from the ground up. They should climb the ladder, to see whether water has penetrated the fascia and drip edges better.

Gutters and Downspouts – The inspector should check to see if the gutters are clear of any standing water and if the downspouts are permanently attached and operating as they should.

Roofing Material – The easiest way to assess the state of the roofing material is from the roof itself, up close. An evaluation of its condition made from the ground will be far less precise.

Roof Penetration – A roof may develop holes due to vent pipes, roof vents, media installations, or other objects. These holes are covered with various boots, seals, sealants, or flashing. It is essential to check the efficiency and condition of each of these penetration seals. Additionally, an inspector shall examine the penetrating objects’ states.

HVAC

An extensive analysis and evaluation of all the parts that go into heating and cooling a home constitute a full HVAC inspection. Although they have a large area to cover during the examination, home inspection in Knoxville will assess the condition and repair of HVAC appliances in the property. An HVAC inspector will open the furnace and then evaluate these critical and pricey household appliances more thoroughly. An HVAC inspector will also test the airflow in the house, examine the quality of HVAC equipment, and look for any electrical malfunctions. Furthermore, this is an HVAC inspection checklist that a home inspector may follow:

• Test for problematic airflow through the home.
• Check refrigerant pressure.
• Perform tests for gas piping and pressure.
• Inspect the components of a blower.
• Test heat pump heating mode and defrost cycle.
• Inspect the condensate drain for blockages.
• Check thermostat settings and test calibration.
• Lubricate moving parts.
• Check the filter.
• Inspect the condition of your HVAC appliances.
• Test safety controls.
• Inspect the condensate drain for clogs and blockages.
• Check electrical connections.
• Inspect the quality of installation.
• Voltage testing.
• Checking electrical components for failures.

Plumbing

A plumbing inspection is a systematic procedure for determining the plumbing system’s most essential components in a house. Regular plumbing inspections keep the system functioning correctly, assisting households in avoiding expensive and unforeseen repairs. However, it is vital to carry out the plumbing inspections correctly to accomplish the following goals:

• Identify issues as soon as possible to reduce the danger of plumbing and pipeline damage;
• Avoid more extensive water damage, eliminate the aggravation of work delays caused by obstructions and water leaks, and
• Avoid a significant spike in your water bill.

Furthermore, the following considerations are crucial while doing a plumbing inspection:

• Visually check the main water supply shut-off valve for problems and damage. Check if the water meter reads even after the valve is closed. An inspector can further use this to confirm any water leaks on the property.
• To check whether plumbing systems are tightly sealed, fill the complete drainage system with water until the middle of a trip and waste overflow of every tub installed.
• Turn on the building’s water service between 75 and 100 psi to check the water pipelines’ typical working pressure. Assess the water supply to see if it functions appropriately even with minimal water pressure.
• Examine the septic tank, drainage systems, and sewage lines that lead from the property to the curb connection to see if there is any pipe damage, corrosion, or significant obstructions.
• For water supply regulation, each fixture needs its valve. Verify any indications of water damage on the building’s internal and external surfaces. Inspect the flexible hoses, drains, and gutter for any obstructions that can compromise the plumbing systems.

Electrical

An inspector will search for exposed wires inside the building or home and frayed or broken wires outdoors. Additionally, they will ensure that the wiring uses an appropriate wire type. For instance, underground cables differ from wires usually routed inside a house. Furthermore, these are the main things an inspector shall cover while inspecting a home’s electrical:

• Junction Boxes – Junction boxes must be accessible and visible, not hidden behind walls and insulation. Additionally, they must all have covers.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) – You can see ground fault circuit interrupters in wet locations, including restrooms, kitchens, basements, and garages. An inspector will test them to ensure good operation and that their wiring is in place and not faulty. They should turn off when they become overloaded to avoid electrocution.
• Regular Outlets – To rule out any loose switch plates or risky wiring, you will be testing the standard outlets in the house. The correct spacing of outlets around the house is also necessary to prevent the use of hazardous extension cords.
• All Wiring – An inspector will examine the appropriate grounding of each piece of wiring to the electrical panel. It is safer to have electrical current travel through the ground wire than through another source because electrical current naturally goes to the ground.

Structure

An inspector will inspect a home’s foundation, infrastructure, exterior walls, insulation, and building envelope during the inspection. Further, they might check the structural soundness of foundations, load-bearing walls, joists, and beams. At the same time, they can also determine whether the property’s structure or foundation requires work.