World of Shareware - Software Farm 2

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ World of Shareware - Software Farm 2 / wosw_2.zip / wosw_2 / BUDGET / INSPECT.ZIP / CHECK.COM (.txt) < prev next >

Wrap

Graham's TXT2COM | 1991-10-01 | 50.3 KB | 1,309 lines

~17 ~#1 *********************************************************************** INSPECTION CHECKLIST The following quick help keys can be pressed so that you can quickly navigate through the document. Not all of the subjects are listed here, so we recommend you read the document completely before beginning the inspection. F1 - MENU F2 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM F3 - PLUMBING SYSTEM F4 - HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM F5 - KITCHEN F6 - BATHROOM F7 - OTHER ROOMS F8 - ATTIC F9 - DOORS/WINDOWS F10 - ROOF The material in this file is the property of North Shore Home Inspections and is protected under United States Copyright laws. INTRODUCTION ============ Inspecting a property before you buy is both an art and a science. There are many technical factors that must be taken into account, but a good dose of common sense can reveal plenty. Buying a home may be the most important investment a person can make, but many never fully evaluate a homes condition. The following sections will help you to do this. Remember that while inspecting a home, you may not disassemble anything without the owners permission. We suggest that you avoid this altogether to protect yourself from potential lawsuits. If you really need something taken apart, have the owner do it or call a professional. Some items that are discussed here may seem trivial. However, several trivial problems can add up to big money! Make a note of every problem you see so that you have a good idea of the work needed to bring the home up to your standard. To avoid conflicts with the current owner, keep all problems found to yourself. It is better to present your case in the guise of a final offer than to condemn the property to the owner. In many cases he may not even be aware of the problem! Also realize that problems can be categorized into general maintenance and major problems. It's the major problems you want to avoid, or at least be aware of. ~#2 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ================= The place to start when inspecting a home is the electrical system. The electrical system can be expensive to correct as well as dangerous if in poor condition. If there are numerous problems here, it is best to call a professional electrician for a cost estimate. We suggest you tour a new home first and examine the installation method. Normally, any deviation from the overall method suggests that wiring was added. Some people try to do the wiring themselves without thought to local codes. If not done properly, it could be dangerous. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Also, just because wiring has been there for years doesn't mean it's safe! After the general tour, locate the fuse box (usually found in the basement, attached garage, or utility room). Carefully open the front cover and determine the type (fuse or breaker) and the size of the main (50amp, 100amp, etc.) Most modern homes will have breakers and at least 100amp service while older homes usually have 50 or 60amp. (We suggest at least 100amp for the average size home.) Main Fuse Panel Type - Fuse Breaker Other Size Of Main __________________ amps Next, look at the number of single pole (110v) and double pole (220v) circuits. Determine if the circuits grounded. A good way to do this is to buy an inexpensive device called an outlet analyzer from the local hardware store that will test the 110v electrical outlets. (If the outlets are only two pronged, forget it ... they aren't grounded). Grounded outlets are preferable because they provide extra electrical protection. The purpose of grounding is safety. If the home is not properly grounded, it can cause shocks and fires. Appliances can also be damaged by an improperly grounded home. While observing the fuse box, determine if there are circuits available for future expansion by counting the number of empty slots in the fuse box. Number Of Single Poles _____________________________________ Available Circuits? _________ Grounded Circuits? _________ Number Of Double Poles _____________________________________ Available Circuits? _________ Grounded Circuits? _________ After identifying the number of circuits, identify what each 220v circuit is used for. (Usually 110v circuits are used for outlets and lighting). Typical 220v circuits are dryers, stoves, water heaters, air conditioning, etc. 220 Volt Circuits (list) ___________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Once all of the circuits have been identified, try to determine the type of wire used in the home. There are many types of wire used, among them Thinwall (rigid metal conduit), Romex (flat wiring, usually white or black), Greenfield, B.X. (flexible armored cable), and Knob/Tube (older wiring using porcelain tubes and "knobs"). Sometimes the wiring will be concealed in the walls and ceiling making identifying it impossible. The type of wire used is not as important as the wiring method. For example, wires should not drape across floor joists, rather the wire should run through a drilled hole in the joists or a wood plank should be fastened to the floor joists and the wire attched to it. All junction boxes should have covers and be securely fastened. There should never be any exposed wire of any kind! Wiring should not be run through cold air returns. If there are electrical outlets in the basement, they should be run in Thinwall and be securely fastened to the wall using clamps. The outlets should be metal and attached to the conduit securely. Here too, there should never be any exposed wiring under any condition. Wire Covering & General Wiring Condition ___________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Sub-boxes are found in many homes. Many times the main fuse box will contain 220v outlets (plus the main) and a sub-box will contain the 110v lighting circuits. This is normal if done correctly. Make sure that all sub-boxes are connected to the main box using a firm metal pipe, which should be fastened securely to both boxes. This "bonds" the boxes together. If a wire should come loose in the box and touch the metal casing, the current would pass through the bond instead of a person. All wires should run through this pipe. All sub-boxes should have a cover and no wiring should be exposed. Sub Box(es) Location & Condition ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Bonded? ________ The water meter should also be bonded. Since most electrical grounds connect to the cold water line, the main water line becomes the ground. If the water meter is not bonded, the electrical circuits in the house are not grounded! Check to see if a copper wire is jumpered from one side of the main to the other using U.L. approved clamps for proper bonding. Water Meter Grounded? ______________________________________ Smoke detectors are one of the most important and least used safety devices in the home. Smoke detectors are usually powered by the electrical system in the home or by a battery. We suggest at least one detector on each level of the home, and one at the top of each stairway. (Always read the manufacturers instructions as to how and where to mount smoke detectors. You can also check with your local fire department for this information). Smoke Detectors _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Electric or Battery? _________ ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 If the smoke detectors are powered by the homes electrical system, we suggest that you buy battery powered ones as a backup. If the home has an electrical fire, the battery powered detector will still function. *********** Electrical System Notes: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~#3 PLUMBING SYSTEM =============== Before entering the home, take a moment to inspect the front and back yards. Are there signs of newly dug soil? If so, ask the current homeowner about the digging. Newly dug soil may be an indication of a natural gas leak that has been repaired, or of water main or storm/sanitary sewer problems. Also notice the pitch of the yard. Is it pitched toward the home? Sometimes basement moisture can occur when water runs towards the house. Also notice if the soil around the homes foundation is low in places. This could indicate water running down the foundation of the home. More on basement water later. Outside Soil Appearance ____________________________________ Newly dug soil? ___________________________________ Yard pitched towards home? ________________________ Low soil areas? ___________________________________ Next, enter the basement. (If the home has no basement, then locate the utility room). Check to see if there are floor drains and note their location. Floor Drains _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Locate the laundry tray (if any) and turn on the cold water. Let it run for about twenty minutes, watching to see how fast the water drains. If water begins to back up, there may be a problem with either the laundry tray drain or with the main sewer. ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 Sewer odors can be caused by a dry floor drain trap ( or worse, no trap). Keep the traps full of water to avoid this. *********** Also be sure that there are no missing sewer covers in the basement/crawl space/utility room. Next, locate the plumbing stacks. Stacks are usually cast iron, copper or plastic and run vertically from the floor to the basement ceiling. If the stacks are cast iron, look for signs of leakage (rust, water marks, etc) and rust. Copper stacks can also deteriorate and leak. Check the stacks by flushing the toilet and running water in the sinks and tubs and watch for moisture. Basement Stacks ____________________________________________ Type? ________ Size? _______ Also note any basement fixtures (toilet, sink, shower). Run water for several minutes in the fixtures to check the drains Also look at the sink trap for signs of leaks or corrosion. Make sure the basement toilet is in good working order by flushing it and seeing how long it takes to refill. Normal fill time is 60-90 seconds. Basement Fixtures (list) ___________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Next, check the water heater. Water heaters can be either natural gas, electric or LP gas. Gas heater flu pipes should be piped to the chimney and cemented in. All types should have a pressure-temperature overflow pipe run to within 6" of the floor. (The overflow is the pipe running from the side or top of the tank towards the floor. It is sometimes marked P&T valve on the tank.) Every tank (gas, electric or LP) must have this pressure- temperature safety valve. The pressure rating is 150 lbs and the temperature rating is 210 degrees. Also be sure that the cold water line has a shutoff valve on it. If the tank is gas, the gas line running to the side of the tank should have a dirt leg on it. This prevents the gas line from clogging. _______ |------- | T | | | A | | <-- Gas Line | N | | | K |___| | | | <-- Dirt leg ------- ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 You may be able to determine the age of the hot water tank by examining it. An older tank usually has rounded corners at the top instead of the newer squared corners. Some older tanks also have 1/2" safety valves. Newer tanks should have 3/4" safety valves. *********** Water Heater _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Water piping is usually copper pipe, or galvanized pipe in older homes. You can recognize galvanized pipe by it's silver color. Check the water piping and valves around the basement/ utility room to be sure there are no leaks. Make certain that all pipe is secured to the floor joists or wall using clamps. Note any signs of corrosion (copper turning green, etc) and loose pipe. Water Piping _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Also check the gas lines to see if there are signs of corrosion. Be sure they are firmly secured. There should be a shutoff valve to each fixture or appliance. A flexible stove connector pipe should ONLY be used to connect a dryer or stove. Other uses of this flexible connector could be dangerous. Gas Lines __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Water mains are usually copper, but some older homes may have a tuberloid water main which is part lead. A lead water main may transfer lead particles into drinking water. This is an obvious health hazard. Determine which type of water main feeds the home by scratching the water main pipe (before the water meter) with a key. If the pipe is soft and has a silver look, then it is lead. Water Main Type ____________________________________________ Basement moisture can be due to many things. Blocked sub- soil drains, a high water table, and blocked main sewers are all examples. Detecting this moisture can be difficult, depending upon how severe the leak is. Check the bottoms of the basement walls for water stains. If the walls are paneled and the floor carpeted, check for rotted paneling and stained carpet. Also check the furnace and water heater bottoms for rust. Hint: Water sometimes leaves white crust or black spots on walls and floors. Sometimes basement water is due to a blocked subsoil drain. (These are the drains that the gutters empty into). Try snaking these drains first to see if the problem goes away. If the basement walls and/or floor have been newly painted, ask the current owner why this was done. It could be hiding an expensive problem. Basement Moisture __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Remember, all basements are dry when it's not raining. You must be a detective when looking for water. Don't be afraid to ask questions and document the answers! Make any additional notes you may have concerning the plumbing system here. We will address kitchen and bathroom plumbing when we get to these rooms later in the inspection. General Appearance Of Plumbing _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~#4 HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM & COMPONENTS =================================== The three main types of heating systems are: 1 - Boiler System 2 - Gas/LP Furnace System 3 - Electric Heat Pump The sections below detail these systems. ********************** BOILER SYSTEMS ********************** A boiler system circulates heated water or steam through pipes to radiators to heat the home. There are two basic types of boiler systems, forced/gravity hot water or steam. A forced hot water system has a circulating pump while a gravity hot water system does not. A steam system can be identified by locating glass gauges on the boiler. All steam boilers must have an expansion tank and a low water cutoff (near controls on the side of the boiler) to protect the boiler from burning up. All boilers must have a safety valve to release pressure. There must be air release vents in the center of all steam radiators, and hot water radiators have key vents on the top of the radiator to release air. Ask the current owner how old the system is. Boiler _____________________________________________________ Steam? ________ Hotwater? _______ ********************** FURNACE SYSTEMS ********************* After determining that the heating system is a furnace, try to determine the type (gas/LP gas or electric). Remove the furnace cover and look for a pilot flame. If one is found, the furnace is a gas or LP gas furnace. Electric furnaces use a heating element to heat the air while gas and LP gas furnaces use a burner. Gas/LP gas furnaces also have a flu pipe to allow furnace exhaust out of the home. The flu pipe should be cemented into the chimney. Electric furnaces have no flu. Furnace ____________________________________________________ Gas? ________ Electric? ________ Most electric furnaces also have a heat pump in the home. Check the A/C & HEAT PUMP section for more information on this. Check the furnace to see if it has a blower in it (forced air). Older models allow the heated air to rise through the ducts without a blower. This is called a gravity style furnace. Gravity? ________ Forced Air? ________ Also check the color of the burner flame. Set the thermostat so that the furnace turns on and make sure the flame is blue in color. A yellow pilot or burner flame is not good and should be serviced by a professional. Most furnaces need to be cleaned at least once per year. Don't rely on the owners claim that the furnace was "just cleaned". Spend the extra $30.00 to $50.00 dollars to get the furnace cleaned and tuned before the next heating season. This will improve the furnace's efficiency as well as extend the life of the furnace. Also replace the furnace filters at least once per month. ***************** A/C & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ****************** Check to make sure the air conditioner/heat pump is working properly by setting the thermostat so that it will turn on. Make sure that cool air is flowing through the registers. Check the outside condenser to see if it is level and that there are no bushes, trees, etc. obstructing the air flow. Air Conditioner ____________________________________________ Gas? ________ Electric? ________ Heat Pump? ________ If the home has a humidifier, make sure that is in good working condition. The only way to do this without tearing it apart is to make sure it is running. Also determine when it was last serviced. You may need to ask the current owner about this. Most humidifiers should have yearly service. Humidifier _________________________________________________ There are two main types of air cleaners; Electronic and Filter Element. An electronic air cleaner can be checked by listening for intermittent "cracks" as dust flows through it. Also find out when this was last serviced (should be yearly, with the elements cleaned every three weeks). A filter element air cleaner should be service yearly, with the element changed at least every four months. Air Cleaner ________________________________________________ Make sure that there is a vent piped to the outside of the home for the dryer exhaust. Vent _______________________________________________________ Also, check the chimney for signs of deterioration. Holes in the brick or mortar MUST BE FIXED to prevent fires and to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home! Make sure that the brick is solid, and the mortar is not falling out. If there is a problem, have it repaired before moving in. Chimney ____________________________________________________ Brick? ________ Metal? _______ Other? _______ Check the chimney for pine tar buildup. This is caused by burning softer woods, and can cause a fire inside the chimney. Have a chimney sweep check this if you are unsure, and have the chimney cleaned annually. Check fireplaces for cracks in the hearth and loose cement between bricks. Also check the fireplace for the following items; Fireplace __________________________________________________ Log Lighter? ________ Draft Damper? ________ Glass Doors? ________ Power Draft? ________ Heat Elater? ________ A heat elater transfers heat from the chimney to the room. This is accomplished by a fan blowing air through a series of tubes that radiate into the room. ~#5 THE KITCHEN ============ First, note the type of flooring used in the kitchen (linoleum, tile, wood, etc) and it's condition. While this may seem trivial, a floor that needs replacing can cost plenty. Kitchen Floor ______________________________________________ Do the same for walls and ceilings. Make note of any cracks or holes that will need patching. Minor cracks above door frames are often (but not always) caused by the house settling. Check all ceilings for water spots. Water spots can mean a roof or plumbing leak. Reference the ROOMS section for more information on water spots. Kitchen Ceiling ____________________________________________ Kitchen Walls ______________________________________________ Observe the condition of the electrical system in the kitchen. Are all of the outlets grounded, and do they have covers? Are the lighting fixtures in good working order? Is there a 220v stove outlet, or is the stove gas? Again, use the outlet analyzer to check the outlets to be sure they're wired properly. Kitchen Electric ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 For extra safety, install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFIs) in all electrical outlets near water (kitchen, bathrooms, utility rooms, garages, etc). These devices sense small changes in electrical current and "shut-off" the electricity to the outlet faster than fuses or breakers. They can be found at any hardware store and are an inexpensive way ($10 - $15) to protect yourself. *********** Next, check out the kitchen sink. Note the type of sink (single bowl, double bowl, etc) and the material it is made out of (stainless steel, cast iron, etc). Also note its condition. Run water in the sink for awhile to determine if the drains are open. Check the trap for leaks and corrosion. Also note if there is a garbage disposal and its condition. Is it in working order? Kitchen Sink _______________________________________________ Kitchen Drains/Trap _______________________________________ Kitchen Disposal ___________________________________________ Check out the dishwasher to make sure it is in good working order. Ask the owner the age of the unit. Kitchen Dishwasher _________________________________________ ~#6 BATHROOMS ========= Check the walls, floor and ceiling as described in the kitchen section. Make note of any cracks or holes that will need patching. Check each fixture in the bathroom making sure it is working properly. Vanities should be checked for condition, leaks from the trap or water lines, and faucet condition. If green decay is found around brass drain pipe, it will need replacing. Tubs/showers should be checked for chips, drainage, faucet condition, etc. Also carefully check the tile behind the faucet for water damage. Toilets should be checked for proper operation. Flush a couple of times and see if it's working. Normal toilet fill time is 60-90 seconds. Observe the condition of the electrical system in the bathroom. Are all of the outlets grounded, and do they have covers? Are the lighting fixtures in good working order? Again, use the outlet analyzer to check the outlets to be sure they're wired properly. GFIs are also recommended in the bathroom (see TIP above). You may be able to determine the age of the toilet by looking in the toilet tank. Sometimes a date is stamped inside. This can also give you a clue as to the age of the home. Location ___________________________________________________ Bath Floor _________________________________________________ Bath Ceiling _______________________________________________ Bath Walls _________________________________________________ Bath Electric ______________________________________________ Bath Sink __________________________________________________ Bath Toilet ________________________________________________ Bath Shower/tub ____________________________________________ Location ___________________________________________________ Bath Floor _________________________________________________ Bath Ceiling _______________________________________________ Bath Walls _________________________________________________ Bath Electric ______________________________________________ Bath Sink __________________________________________________ Bath Toilet ________________________________________________ Bath Shower/tub ____________________________________________ Location ___________________________________________________ Bath Floor _________________________________________________ Bath Ceiling _______________________________________________ Bath Walls _________________________________________________ Bath Electric ______________________________________________ Bath Sink __________________________________________________ Bath Toilet ________________________________________________ Bath Shower/tub ____________________________________________ ~#7 THE ROOMS ========= This section covers bedrooms, living room, dining room, halls, etc. These rooms normally all have the same items that need to be checked. (Fireplaces are covered in the heating section). Floors should be checked for condition and soundness. (Remember, you may not pull back carpet to examine the floors underneath!). Determine if carpet can be saved or if it will need replacing. If the floors are wood, do they need sanding and refinishing? These types of things are often overlooked but can be costly and time consuming. Walls should be checked for cracks, holes, and peeling paint. Some smaller cracks in walls above door and window frames are stress cracks. Also look for water spots. Ceilings should be checked for cracks, holes, water spots, etc. Water spots can be caused by a leaking roof or pipe, or a leak in a bathroom above the room. Don't take the owners word that the spot is old. If there is a bathroom above the water spot, try flushing the toilet a few times and run some water in the tub and sink to see if the spot becomes wet. If the attic (or roof) is above the water spot, there may be a roof leak. More on this in the attic section. The electrical system in each room should be checked also. Make sure that all outlets, switches, and fixtures have covers. Also make sure that each room has enough outlets (at least two double outlets in every room, and preferably more). Again, use the circuit analyzer to be sure the outlets are grounded. Also make sure that each room contains heating registers. Occasionally, we run across a room without any registers! The sellers use of the room may not be the same as yours, so check for heat registers! Check in closets also, examining these like any other room. For your convenience, space for four bedrooms is available in the checklist, along with many other rooms. ************************** BEDROOMS *********************** Location __________________________________________________ Bedroom Floor _____________________________________________ Bedroom Ceiling ___________________________________________ Bedroom Walls _____________________________________________ Bedroom Electric __________________________________________ Other comments ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Location __________________________________________________ Bedroom Floor _____________________________________________ Bedroom Ceiling ___________________________________________ Bedroom Walls _____________________________________________ Bedroom Electric __________________________________________ Other comments _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Location __________________________________________________ Bedroom Floor _____________________________________________ Bedroom Ceiling ___________________________________________ Bedroom Walls _____________________________________________ Bedroom Electric __________________________________________ Other comments ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Location __________________________________________________ Bedroom Floor _____________________________________________ Bedroom Ceiling ___________________________________________ Bedroom Walls _____________________________________________ Bedroom Electric __________________________________________ Other comments ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 We cannot express enough the importance of checking room ceilings for water problems. Look for brown or black spots and see if they're wet. If a bathroom is above the room, run water in all the fixtures and test the spot again. Roof leaks will be discussed in the attic section. *********** ************************ LIVING ROOM *********************** Living Room Floor _______________________________________ Living Room Ceiling _____________________________________ Living Room Walls _______________________________________ Living Room Electric ____________________________________ Other comments __________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ ************************ DINING ROOM *********************** Hallway Floor ___________________________________________ Hallway Ceiling _________________________________________ Hallway Walls ___________________________________________ Hallway Electric ________________________________________ Other comments __________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ ************************** HALLWAY ************************* Dining Room Floor _______________________________________ Dining Room Ceiling _____________________________________ Dining Room Walls _______________________________________ Dining Room Electric ____________________________________ Other comments __________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ ************************ OTHER ROOM *********************** Floor _______________________________________ Ceiling _____________________________________ Walls _______________________________________ Electric ____________________________________ Other comments _________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ~#8 ATTIC ===== Determine the type of insulation that is in the attic (rolled, blown or rigid board) and if it is installed properly (shiny side out, ONLY on the attic floor). Also ask the owner what type of insulation the walls are insulated with. The INSPECTION HINTS selection from the main menu contains a complete description of insulation types, R- values, and installation methods. Attic Insulation ________________________________________ Type? ________ (Rolled, blown or rigid board) Insulation should not cover attic vents or be placed within three-four inches around recessed lighting fixtures (causing them to overheat). Insulation however, is not the only thing that needs to be checked in the attic. Look for water spots on the roof, as will as rotted wood. Especially check around chimneys, plumbing stacks, and anything that protrudes through the roof. These are prime candidates for roof leaks. Many times, taring a flashing can correct minor leaks. Turn out the lights in the attic and see if you can spot any daylight coming in from the outside. Again, check around chimneys, stacks, etc. If you can see daylight, water can get in, doing damage to the home. Also, check the chimney for signs of deterioration. Holes in the brick or mortar MUST BE FIXED to prevent fires and to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home! Make sure that the brick is solid, and the mortar is not falling out. If there is a problem, have it repaired before moving in. General Attic ______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Finally, make a note of any attic vents. Some attics will have electrical fans (usually set to operate at about 90 degrees) to help keep the attic cool. Others rely on passive vents that allow outside air to enter. These also allow inside heated air out. The more vents the better. Attic Vents ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~#9 DOORS AND WINDOWS ================= Each door and window in the home should be checked to make sure it is not damaged and is working properly. Doors and windows should be aligned correctly and should open and close easily. A window that won't open is a safety hazard! All doors and windows should have screens and storms. Feel around windows and doors for outside air coming in. This may indicate an insulation or alignment problem. Doors & Screen Doors _______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ There are many types of windows (thermopane, wood pane, aluminum clad, steel, etc.). Make a note of what types are in the home and their condition. Window Types _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 Fogged glass between thermopane layers means a broken seal, and will have to be repaired/replaced. *********** ~#0 THE ROOF ======== Roofing types are usually asphalt shingle, slate, tile, and wood shingle. Check the color of the roof. Less color means an older roof, as does rounded shingle edges. Curling of asphalt shingles means either excessive wear or poor or improper insulation. We suggest that no more than three layers of asphalt shingle be placed on a home. If there are three layers already, they will need to be replace when the next roof is installed. Refer to the attic section for more information about roof leaks. Roof _______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Gutters and downspouts are usually made of aluminum or steel. Check the gutters for signs of corrosion and make sure they are still firmly attached to the home. If possible, make sure the gutters are clear of debris. If the home has aluminum gutters, then only aluminum gutter spikes should be used for mending. Other nails may cause corrosion to start. Steel gutters have a shorter life span than aluminum, and are prone to rust. Gutter joints should be caulked to avoid leakage. Gutters & Downspouts _______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 Also look for loose gutter spikes. These can be caused by ice build up, forcing the spikes out. Always keep gutters clean to avoid this problem. *********** ~#0 GARAGE ====== First, check the garage roof. Use the rules outlined in the ROOF section to do this. If you can see the ceiling joists, observe water spots, rotting wood, etc as outlined in the attic section. Garage Roof ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Check the garage door. If it's wood, is it rotting near the bottom? Does the door open and close smoothly? A new garage door and spring can cost several hundred dollars, so check it carefully. NEVER attempt to open or close a garage door with a broken spring! Physical harm may result. Is the garage equipped with an automatic opener? If so, make sure it's in good working condition. If the opener has lights, are they working? Is the opener mounted correctly? Garage Door ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Automatic Garage Door Opener _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ~97 *** TIP *** ~17 An automatic garage door opener can injure a small child when closing if it is not working correctly. Before moving into the home, place something under the door (about 4" - 6" high) and allow the garage door opener to close on it. If the door repeatedly attempts to close, it is not working properly and will need service. *********** Also check the garage lighting system. We prefer to see all garage electrical wires run in pipe (Thinwall). The garage is a prime place for do-it-yourselfers, so check the electrical just like specified in the electrical section. Garage Lights ______________________________________________ Does the garage have a floor drain. This is nice for car washing, etc. Run water in this drain for twenty minutes to check for drainage problems. Garage Drain _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Is the garage floor pitted, cracked or heaved? Determine the damage and make note of it. Garage Floor _______________________________________________ If the garage is detached from the home, determine if it is constructed on concrete footers. Footers help the garage last longer by preventing wood rot and ensuring that the structure has a good solid base. All attached garages should have footers. General Garage _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ OUTSIDE WALLS ============= Determine the type of material covering the home. Check aluminum siding for color, cracks and dents. Vinyl siding is less likely to show signs of wear because the color is part of the vinyl, not painted on like aluminum siding. If the walls are wood, be sure they are painted or stained. Check for peeling paint, warped wood, dry rot and saw-dust. Saw-dust may be a sign of carpenter or yellow jackets. Wood that appears dry rotted could mean termites. Check brick or block walls for holes and cracks. Horizontal cracks could mean excessive pressure on outside walls. If the walls are aluminum sided, make sure that the siding is grounded. Look for a wire attached to the aluminum siding running to a pipe anchored in the ground. If lightening strikes the siding, the current will run to ground. Outside Walls ______________________________________________ Type? ________ (Wood Sided, Aluminum Sided, Vinyl Sided, Brick, etc) Basement Walls _____________________________________________ Type? ________ (Cement Block, Cinder Block, Slab, Face Brick & Block, Poured Cement, Etc.) All cracks in basement walls should be patched to prevent moisture and termites from entering. PATIOS AND DECKS ================ Check the patio for pitted, cracked or heaved cement. If the patio is next to the home, make sure the corner where they meet is caulked to prevent moisture from entering. If the patio is brick, make sure the bricks are level and not deteriorated. Patio's ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Wood decks are checked much like outside wood walls. Be sure they are painted or stained. Check for peeling paint, warped wood, dry rot and saw-dust. Saw-dust may be a sign of carpenter or yellow jackets. Wood that appears dry rotted could mean termites. Also see if the deck posts are cemented into the ground for better support. This will also prevent wood rot and make the deck last longer. Decks ______________________________________________________ GENERAL OUTSIDE =============== To do a thorough inspection, make sure to note the condition of the items in this section. They may seem trivial, but the dollars can really add up to fix or replace them. Note any cracks or heaves in a cement and asphalt driveway and sidewalks. Also note severe pitting in the concrete. Driveway ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Sidewalks __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Is the lawn and landscaping nice or will you need to put a lot of work and money into them? Lawn _______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Landscaping ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Also note the condition of any fences belonging to the property. Fence posts should be cemented into the ground, not just inserted into the dirt. Fence posts in cement tend to last longer because they don't deteriorate as quickly. Fences _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ This section is for any other additional notes you may have; ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________