A home inspection isn’t just for when you’re buying a home. Even after you’ve lived in a home for a few years you still want to bring in the services of a professional home inspector. The best built homes also need preventative maintenance – and frequent home inspections can help you detect the best time to do so.
A good rule to follow is: if you’re opening up the walls to do a renovation – this is the time you bring back your professional home inspector to look at the property.
A third-party home inspection will provide an unbiased, professional eye into the state of your home, allowing you to make the right decisions to keep your structure in good shape.
What is Included in my Home Inspection?
A home inspection means peace of mind. The purpose of a professional, third-party home inspection is to provide a snapshot of the state of the home on the date of the inspection.
If you’re looking for your next home inspector, the Mike Holmes Inspections team is ready to help. Click here to book your next home inspection.
Here is what you’ll typically find included in your home inspection:
Exterior
- Foundation
- Grading
- Water drainage and disbursement
- Roof
- Chimney
- Waste systems such as the septic tank
- Porches, decks, and patios
- Garages and carports
- Landscaping
Interior
- Plumbing
- Electrical system
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air condition systems (HVAC systems)
- Attics
- Water drainage and disbursement
- Window and doors
- Basements and crawlspaces
- Ceilings
- Kitchen appliances
- Bathrooms
- Fire safety
You can also include add ons to your regular home inspection package. Thermal imaging can help source any hidden leaks hiding behind your walls.
Poor indoor quality can affect the way we feel in our homes every day. Adding an indoor air quality test or checking for radon are items you’ll want to consider for your next home inspection.
Your Preventative Home Maintenance Checklist
As a homeowner, it’s your job to keep up with your preventative home maintenance. Why? It’s easier to address problems while they are small, before they become a disaster and a major financial headache.
READ MORE: The Complete Home Maintenance Checklist
Even the least handy homeowners should be able to recognize the signs of a home in need of repair – but a home inspection can also help spot many of these issues if you need help.
Here are some key indicators you’ll want to look for.
Is your water bill abnormally high?
If you haven’t changed your cleaning habits, a higher water bill could indicate that you’ve got a leak somewhere. You want to look for leaks around your toilets, sinks, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
As a homeowner, you’ll also need to know where your main water supply is located in the home. In case of a major leak or a burst pipe, you’ll want to shut off the supply as soon as possible. It could save you thousands in water damage repairs.
Are you at risk for an electrical fire?
All electrical work should be left to a licensed electrician, but as a homeowner, you need to train yourself to look out for the warning signs of a potential electrical fire. Here are a few things that signify it is time to call in an electrician:
- Flickering light bulbs
- Breakers that trip often
- Appliances that have a burning smell when in use
- Electrical outlets that spark
- Outlets or walls that feel abnormally warm
Remember to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly. If your units use batteries, make sure to change them twice a year. A good schedule to follow is to change the batteries every time the clocks change.
You’ll also need to have fire extinguishers in your home. At minimum, you’ll need one in the kitchen and one in the garage. You’ll need to check them monthly to ensure they work properly.
Do you feel sick at home?
Does the air in your home feel damp, or you don’t feel well when you’re inside the home? It could be due to a mold problem. Mold will typically grow in damp areas – so you’ll want to keep a close eye on your basements, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and attics as this is where most mold will tend to thrive.
Are you worried you have mold, but can’t find the source? A mold inspection by our team can help you find how many mold spores are in your home. Remember, every home will have some mold spores – but when you start feeling ill in your home, that’s a sign that they levels are out of control.
Is your foundation in good shape?
Every year, do a walk around your home and check for cracks in your foundation. Mark them with some tape and monitor if they get bigger. If they do, you’ll want to call in a specialist.
Do you know the signs of a failing roof?
We don’t recommend going up to your roof (there’s a reason our inspectors are specially trained to work at heights), but you can look for signs of a poor roof from the ground level. Look for torn or missing shingles – or if shingles are buckling on the sides. These are signs that water could be seeping in through your roof.
Is your sump pump in working order?
Have your sump pump connected to a backup source of power as a precaution. These units are meant to move water that’s below grade away from your home. Having them inspected during the springtime is a good idea.
Are you ready for your next home inspection? Our Mike Holmes Inspectors are ready to serve you. Book your inspection today.
