Preparing Your Home for Inspections
Here’s a checklist to make sure your home is all ready for inspections! If you have any questions or need some referrals, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’ve got a list of local companies who can help out!
Have furnace and AC units serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor and provide records.
Change the furnace filter (if you are a do-it-yourslef type and furnace and AC were recently serviced).
Clean the furnace using a shop vaccum, wipe down all exterior surfaces.
Wipe all exterior surfaces of the water heater.
Check to be sure there are no leaks around the water heater and no corrosion at the bottom of the water heater.
Check all faucets for leaks, replace if needed.
Check all plumbing under sinks for leaks, have them professionally repaired if needed.
Check all plumbing in lower level coming in from the water meter, be sure there are no leaks.
Caulk (or hire someone to caulk if you are not good at it) all bathtubs, toilets, and countertops if needed. Do no do this if you don’t do it well, it will look like you are hiding something.
Make sure all windows and doors open and shut and lock properly.
Be sure gas is on to all fireplaces so they can be tested.
If you have a furnace humidifier, change that filter.
If any areas of your sidewalk, driveway, or entry steps have pulled away from the house or fallen away from each other, have those mud-jacked as they could be identified as tripping hazards.
Look at the gas line into your home, is there a wire wrapped around the line? This is called bonding the CSST gas line. It is a newer safety requirement and there should be a wire. A plumber or electrician can do this if it is not there and will likely come up.
Run all the appliances, and make sure they run properly. Additionally check that all knobs and hands are secure.
Clean the oven as build up can be flagged as a safety feature. Check all your ceilings for leaks, if you see any, check it out and make repairs.
If your scuttle hole into the attic is not sealed, look up there. Is there any evidence of mouse droppings, bats, or missing insulation?
Look at your roof, are there any missing shingles? Repair them if missing. If the roof condition is deteriorated, consider getting an estimate to replace. Roof deficiencies come up not only on an inspection but also an appraisal. A lender may not agree to loan on a home with a roof that will need repair in the next couple of years. If in doubt, have a roofer inspect it.
All smoke detectors should be checked. If they are older than 10 years, just replace them as this will be called a safety deficiency.
Make sure all light switches work.
Check electrical outlets to be sure those work.
If there are any “wet” areas, the outlets nearby should be GFCI to interrupt a fault if water should come in contact with an appliance there. This would include kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements near any water source. Although this is a code that changed many years ago, older homes may be expected to comply with this due to safety concerns.
Check your automatic garage door. Does it reverse when something is placed under it? If not, it should be repaired.