Septic Inspection

A Detailed Home Inspection Includes:

Roof: The inspector shall inspect from roof top, ground level or eaves:

• The roof covering, gutters, downspouts, vents, flashings, skylights, chimney and other roof penetrations.

• The general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.

Exterior: The inspector shall inspect:

• The flashing and trim. All exterior doors, decks, stoops, steps, stairs, porches, railings, eaves, soffits, fascias, grading, and walkways.
• Report as in need of repair any spacings between intermediate balusters, spindles, or rails for steps, stairways, balconies, and railings that permit the passage of an object greater than four inches in diameter.
• The vegetation, surface drainage and retaining walls when these are likely to adversely affect the building.
• Describe the exterior wall covering.

• The basement, foundation, or crawlspace as long as they are accessible.
• The visible structural components.
• Any present conditions or indications of active water penetration by probing a representative sampling of structural components where deterioration is believed to be present or where clear indications of deterioration are present.
• Report any general indications of foundation movement that are observed, such as but not limited to sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames or floor slopes.

• The heating system and describe the energy source and heating method using normal operating controls.
• Report as in need of repair electric furnaces which do not operate.
• Report if inspector deemed the furnace inaccessible.

• The central cooling equipment using normal operating controls.

• Inspect the main water shut off valve.
• Inspect the water heating system.
• Flush toilets.
• Run water in sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Inspect the interior water supply including all fixtures and faucets.
• Inspect the drain, waste and vent systems, including all fixtures.
• Describe any visible fuel storage systems.
• Inspect the drainage sump pumps testing sumps with accessible floats.
• Inspect and describe the water supply, drain, waste and main fuel shut-off valves, as well as the location of the water main and main fuel shut-off valves.
• Inspect and determine if the water supply is public or private.
• Inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously.
• Inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in installation and identification of hot and cold faucets.
• Inspect and report as in need of repair mechanical drain-stops that are missing or do not operate if installed in sinks, lavatories and tubs.
• Inspect and report as in need of repair commodes that have cracks in the ceramic material, are improperly mounted on the floor, leak, or have tank components which do not operate.

• The service line.
• The meter box.
• The main disconnect.
• Determine the service amperage.
• Panels, breakers and fuses.
• The grounding.
• The bonding.
• representative sampling of switches, receptacles, light fixtures, and ground circuit interrupters.
• Report the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring if readily visible.
• Report on any GFCI-tested receptacles in which power is not present, polarity is incorrect, the receptacle is not grounded, is not secured to the wall, the cover is not in place, the ground fault circuit interrupter devices are not properly installed or do not operate properly, or evidence of arcing or excessive heat is present. 
• The service entrance conductors and the condition of their sheathing.
• The ground fault circuit interrupters with a GFCI tester.
• Describe the amperage rating of the service.
• Report the absence of smoke detectors.
• Service entrance cables and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the integrity of the insulation, drip loop, or separation of conductors at weather-heads and clearances.

• The fireplace, and open and close the damper door if readily accessible and operable.
• Hearth extensions and other permanently installed components.
• Report as in need of repair deficiencies in the lintel, hearth and material surrounding the fireplace, including clearance from combustible materials.

• The insulation in unfinished spaces
• The ventilation of attic spaces.
• Mechanical ventilation systems
• Report on the general absence or lack of insulation.

• Open and close a representative number of doors and windows
• Inspect the walls, ceilings, steps, stairways, and railings.
• Inspect garage doors and garage door openers by operating first by remote (if available) and then by the installed automatic door control.
• Report as in need of repair any installed electronic sensors that are not operable or not installed at proper heights above the garage door.
• Report as in need of repair any door locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled when garage door opener is in use.
• Report as in need of repair any windows that are obviously fogged or display other evidence of broken seals.