What Do Home Inspections Cover, And What Do They Exclude?

A home inspection is an important component of the homebuying process. After all, you want to make sure you know exactly what condition the home is in before you plop down hundreds of thousands of dollars for a purchase.

But home inspections don't cover absolutely everything under the sun. So, what do they cover, and what do they exclude?

What Does A Home Inspection Cover?

The following items are typically assessed by a home inspector:

Electrical Systems

Inspectors will look at several components of a home's electrical system, though only to a certain degree. They'll look at things such as the electrical panel, electrical conductors, ground fault circuit interrupters, corroded wires, amperage ratings, power supply equipment, and light fixtures.

Plumbing Systems

Home inspectors look at things that are affected by water flow, including pipes, sinks, faucets, showers, bathtubs, and toilets. More specifically, they'll look for things such as leakage, water damage, sewer gas smells, moisture signs, and so forth. If any of these issues are identified, the inspector will include them in their report.

Roof and Attic

The condition of a home's roof is important, as it is very expensive to repair or replace. The inspector may look at things such as the gutters, flashing, vents, and skylights. They'll also look for problems such as missing or curled shingles, cracks, rust on flashing, unevenness, moisture in the attic, and stains on the ceiling.

Water Damage

Water damage can lead to dangerous mold growth and foundation problems, which is why this is one of the more important factors involved in a standard home inspection. The inspector will look for signs of water in the basement, which could be indicative of possible structural issues. Water stains on walls and ceilings might be due to a leaky roof or bad plumbing.

Walls, Floors, Ceilings, Windows, and Doors

To make sure the home is structurally sound, the inspector will look around to make sure there are no cracks in walls or around door frames, uneven floors, gaps between floors and walls, and water stains on walls and ceilings. They'll also open and close windows and doors to make sure they're not "sticky".

What Does A Home Inspection Not Cover?

While a home inspector will help to identify many issues that the average homeowner wouldn't notice, several issues would require a more in-depth analysis from other specialized professionals. Here are a few items that your average home inspection will not cover:

Sewer Lines

Inspectors typically don't examine the sewer line in a standard home inspection. This line connects your residence to the municipal line. This would require a specialist who will use a video camera to examine the line and identify any necessary repairs.

Mold

Generally, a home inspection excludes identifying the existence of substances, such as mold, that may be dangerous to humans. If a home inspector discovers mold, they may note it on the report, but they won't use any specific testing kits to confirm their findings. You would have to hire a certified mold inspector to look into this further.

Pests

Like mold, home inspectors don't usually conduct an in-depth investigation for the presence of pests, such as termites. However, they may notice some damage done by potential critters and will make a note of it in their report. It's up to you to investigate further by employing the services of a pest control specialist.

Chimneys and Fireplaces

Your home inspector won't go into your chimney or up your fireplace to make sure all is ok. Ideally, the seller would have their fireplaces and chimneys checked before a buyer enters the home and has a home inspector scope out the place. You might consider adding additional inspection services to the evaluation of the home for this purpose.

Internal Electrical Items

While your home inspector will look at the electrical panel, they won't go into any more detail. Namely, they won't tinker with the internal electrical workings of the home, such as opening up a wall to inspect the electrical work.

Underground Septic System

The main indication of a faulty underground septic system is overflowing in the basement or backyard, or gurgling sounds in the sink. During the average home inspection, the inspector will let the faucets run and flush the toilets to listen out for normal sounds. But they won't examine the underground septic system. Again, a specialist would be required to conduct a thorough investigation of the septic tank.