Your home inspection includes a manual specifically written for your home with colour photos indicating areas that require improvements or a checklist narrative report also with photos when required. Following is a list of some of the areas that are covered in your inspection:

Exterior

Exterior wall finishes can be wood, vinyl, brick, masonry, or metal, or any combination. Choice is a matter of preference. Some of the finishes are low maintenance, such as vinyl and metal.

Soffit

Soffits are directly under the eaves of the house. They are constructed from either wood sheathing or aluminium sheets (low maintenance). Often, aluminium soffits are perforated with numerous small holes to permit natural ventilation into the attic.

Fascia

The fascia is the board that the gutters are attached to. They must be free from rot to ensure a sound nailing surface for the gutters and, of course, for a suitable appearance. If the gutters are not cleaned regularly, they overflow and the moisture can result in wood rot of the fascia.

Gutters and Downspouts

The gutters and down spouts handle the water run-off from the roof and direct it to the in-ground rainwater drainage system, which surrounds the house. Materials used for these items can be aluminium, plastic, wood, or copper. Aluminium (4 or 5 inch size) and plastic gutters (4 inch size only) are the most common. The larger the gutter size is more effective in handling rain run-off on larger area roofs. It is important to keep the gutters and down spouts clean of debris to avoid overflow. The down spouts drain either to an underground drainage system, which is located against the foundation walls, or to splash pads, depending on the by-lay of the municipality.

Doors, Windows and Skylight

Exterior door are constructed of either wood or metal. Choice is a matter of preference. Metal door are very popular now because of the high cost of wood, the efficient insulating values, and the low maintenance.

Windows are single, double, and triple glazed. Single glazed windows are no longer permitted to be installed in new houses. Double and triple glazing offer better insulating values that single glazing. The frames for windows are wood, metal, or vinyl.

There are many materials approved for use as roof coverings. They include: asphalt, shingles, wood shingles, hand split shakes, built-up roofing, selvage roofing, sheet metal roofing, glass reinforced polyester roofing, hot applied rubberized asphalt roofing, polyvinyl chloride sheet roofing and concrete tile roofing.

Flashing

Flashing is used for preventing water entry where the roofing membrane meets at walls, chimneys, vents, and valley. The material used is either a single sheet metal flashing or two layers of rolled asphalt flashing.

Chimneys

Chimneys provide for the elimination of combustion gases that result from the burning of either solid fuels or gas fuels. Most chimneys are constructed of either brick or approved metal piping. If metal piping is used, its appearance is usually improved through the construction of a wood frame that is finished with house siding or brick veneer. Adequate flashing is required around the chimney base at the roof to prevent any water leakage.

Entrances, Porches, Balconies Patios, Decks

Supporting columns, beams, joists, decking, railings, steps, skirting, and roof coverings for these areas are important components in their construction to ensure adequate span support, safety, performance, and proper appearance.

Fully serviced subdivision lots include city water supply. The service pipe from the street to the house is ¾ inch in diameter. A pressure valve is installed where the supply pipe enters the basement of the house. City water pressure can be as high as 160 Ibs. PSI, so it must be reduced to between 50 to 55Ibs. PSI for the house service. Copper supply piping used to be the standard, but has been replace in the past 10 years by plastic piping. Polybutyline Cross-Link (PEX) pipe has been used since 1998.

Fully serviced subdivision lots include city water supply. The service pipe from the street to the house is ¾ inch in diameter. A pressure valve is installed where the supply pipe enters the basement of the house. City water pressure can be as high as 160 Ibs. PSI, so it must be reduced to between 50 to 55Ibs. PSI for the house service. Copper supply piping used to be the standard, but has been replace in the past 10 years by plastic piping. Polybutyline Cross-Link (PEX) pipe has been used since 1998.

Hot Water Tank

Hot water is supplied by either gas or electric hot water tack that is usually located in the basement. An important consideration of the hot water tank is its capacity and recovery rate. A large capacity (50 U .S. gallons) and a quick recovery rate (over 40 U.S. gallons per hour) ensure an adequate supply of hot water for the average family. The average life expectancy of a hot water tank is about 10 years. It is important to regularly clear any settlement from the bottom of the tank to ensure proper performance. This is a simple procedure and required that a garden hose be attached to the water drain valve at the bottom of the tank and then opening the valve to allow the settlement to drain out into the floor drain.

Service Size and Details

Electrical service is supplied to houses by either overhead lines or underground lines. Minimum service is 100 amperes with a 24-circuit box. Copper wire is the preferred material due to its excellent conductivity and strength. Aluminium wiring is no longer used in houses for house circuits. It was discontinued after 1982 because it was easily damaged during installation and chemically reacts to any copper connections. Resulting in poor connection. However, it is still common to see aluminium wire used for the stove and dryer service because of its lower cost. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are installed on circuits that are more susceptible to being and electrical hazard due to moisture exposure. Areas that should have GFCI’s are the bathrooms and outside perimeter outlets.

Insulation is measured by its “R value”. Basically, this means the minimum thermal resistance rating of the insulation. Fiberglass insulation, in either yellow or pink colored batting, is used as a standard wall and attic insulation. Once it is installed in the walls, it is covered with the air/vapour barrier. The minimum “R value” for walls is R14 and for attics R40. Examination of adequate insulation is restricted to unfinished walls and the attic. Other types of insulation that are available are mineral wool (rock wool) and cellulose fibber; these two fibbers are most commonly blown in and used in the attic.

When inspecting this area we check all windows, doors, cupboards, wall, ceilings, and floors for any damage.

Building code upgrade recommendations are also added where applicable.