P.O.Box000000 Anchorage,AK99523
Phone:1-907-694-8326Fax:1-907-375-2980
hometeam-anchorage.com
[email protected]
November14,2016
123 Sample Drive
Anchorage, AK 99504
Inspection #: 00000
Dear Bill Smith,
On 11/14/2016 HomeTeam Inspection Service made a visual inspection of the property referenced above. The
inspection was performed in full compliance with the Standards of Practice adopted by the State of Alaska
Department of Commerce and Economic Development.
Enclosed please find a written, narrative summary of our findings and report. Please read the entire report
carefully as it contains important information about the condition of this property. Although maintenance items
may have been addressed verbally at the time of the inspection, they may not be included in the enclosed
report.
I trust the enclosed information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to call us at the
above telephone number.
Sincerely,
HomeTeam Inspection Service
Mike Hanneman
Alaska State Registered Inspectors #54, 130 and 201
Page1of10
home inspection report
Home. Safe. Home.
Each office is independently owned and operated. | ©2013 The HomeTeam Inspection Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
RecommendationPage
123 Sample Drive, Anchorage, AK 99504
Inspection Date: November 14, 2016
Anyrepairsaccomplishedshouldbedoneinamannerconsistentwithanymanufacturersinstallationinstructions,any
current code, and current trade practices. The descriptions of items recommended for repair on this summary page
areaguidetoidentifytheitemforrepairandshouldnotbeconsideredinstructionsonhowtoperformarepair.
NOTE:HealthandLifeSafetyItemsmayincludeitemsthatbymunicipalamendmentorothersources,areconsidered
"notgrandfathered"regardlessoftheageofthebuilding.
HEALTHANDLIFESAFETY
1. Theexteriordryerventhaslintaccumulationwhichdoesnotallowthebackdraftpreventertocloseandis
consideredafirehazard.Professionallycleantheductingfromthedryertotheexterior.
2. RecommendaprofessionalservicingandinspectionoftheheatingsystemandwaterheaterbyaqualifiedHVAC
techniciantoincludecleaningifnotcompletedwithinthepast12months.Manufacturersrecommendannual
servicingandrepairtoensureproperoperationoftheheatingsystem.Technicalinspectionandexhaustive
systemoperationcheckisnotwithinthescopeofthisinspection.RepairasfurtherrecommendedbyHVAC
technician.Receiptrequireduponreinspection.
SIGNIFICANTREPAIRITEMS
1. Thesinkfaucetinthekitchenleaksatthestem.Repairorreplacethefaucetasneededtoensurealeakfree
operation.
2. Theflametothefireplacepulsateswhileonandduringtheinitialstartuptheflamewentout.Furtherreviewand
repairstobecompletedbyaqualifiedfireplacecontractor.
3. Thegarageunitheaterdidnotrespondtothethermostatatthetimeoftheinspection.Repairstobecompleted
byaqualifiedHVACtechnician.
4. Themasterbedroomwindowisnotsealedtothesiding.Caulkthewindowtothesidingtopreventpossible
moistureintrusion.
Page2of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
GENERALINFORMATION
Throughoutthisreport,theterms"right"and"left"areusedtodescribethebuildingasviewedfromthestreet.The
purposeofthehomeinspectionistoidentifymajor,visually-observabledefectsthatarepresentatthetimeofthe
inspectionandthat,intheHomeTeam'sopinion,mightaffectthetypicalhomebuyer'spurchasedecisionortheuseof
thepropertyforitsintendedpurpose.TheHomeTeaminspectsforevidenceofstructuralfailure,significantrepair
items,andsafetyconcernsonly.Allconditionsarereportedastheyexistedatthetimeoftheinspection.
Thisinspectionislimitedtothereadilyaccessible,visiblecomponentsofthestructureanddoesnotaddressthe
insurabilityoftheproperty.Identifyingitemsincludedinmanufacturerrecallsarenotwithinthescopeoftheinspection.
Thisisnotacodeinspection.Zoning,easements,set-backs,restrictions,orhomeownersassociationrules,by-laws,
orcodesarenotwithinthescopeofthisinspection.
Routinemaintenanceitemsarenotwithinthescopeofthisinspectionunlesstheyotherwiseconstitutemajor,visually
observabledefects.Althoughsomemaintenanceitemsmaybedisclosed,thisreportdoesnotincludeallmaintenance
items,andshouldnotberelieduponforsuchitems.
RECOMMENDATIONPAGE
Therecommendationpageconsolidatesthestructuralfailure,significantrepair,andsafetyitemsobservedduringthe
inspection.Repairand/orcorrectionoftheseitemsishighlyencouragedtoprolongtheintegrityofthebuildingandits
systems,alongwithprotectingthesafetyofitsoccupants.
REPORTTEXT
Thebody,orspecificcomponentsections,inthisreportcontaininformationpertainingtotheconstruction,
components,andlayoutofthehome.Generalmaintenanceitems,observationsspecifictothisproperty,andsome
minordefectsmaybedescribedinthebodyofthereportforinformationalpurposes,butdoesnotconstitutea
completelistofanyoralloftheseitems.
PROPERTYGENERALDESCRIPTION
Theinspectedstructureconsistedofatwo-levelwood-framedzero-lotlinewithT-1-11sidingthatwasoccupiedatthe
timeoftheinspection.
Theageofthestructure,asreportedbythepropertydescriptionwassaidtobe8years.Theapproximate
temperatureatthetimeoftheinspectionwas30degreesFahrenheit,andtheweatherwaspartlycloudy.Theutilities
wereonatthetimeoftheinspection.
Thestructurewassituatedonalevel/lightlyslopedlot.Thesitewaspartiallysnowcovered;theexteriorfeaturessuch
asgrounds,walkways,porches,decks,anddrivewaywereinspectedformajorvisualdefects.Thegeneralgrade
appearedtobeadequatetodirectrainwaterawayfromthefoundation.Theexteriorgradingdidnotcontactthesiding.
Directcontactofthesoiltowoodsidingcancausewoodrotoverlongexposureperiods.
Theexteriordryerventhaslintaccumulationwhichdoesnotallowthebackdraftpreventertocloseandisconsidered
afirehazard.Professionallycleantheductingfromthedryertotheexterior.
Page3of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
WALKWAYSANDPORCHES
Therewasanasphaltwalkwayleadingtotheentrywayofthehome.
DRIVEWAY
Therewasanasphaltdrivewaywhichledtothegarage.Thedrivewaysurfacewasvisuallyinspected.
GARAGE
Theattachedgaragewasdesignedfortwocarswithaccessprovidedbyoneoverhead-styledoor.Theconcrete
garagefloorwasinserviceablecondition.
GARAGEDOOROPENER
Thefunctionalityofremotetransmitters,keylessentryorotheropeningdevicesisnottestedduringthehome
inspection.Theelectricgaragedooropenerwastestedandfoundtobefunctional.Theautomaticsafetyreverseon
thegaragedoorwastestedandfoundtobefunctional.
GARAGEFIRESEPARATION
Thegaragefireseparationwallsandceilingwereinspectedanddidappeartobeadequate.
BALCONY
Abalconywaslocatedatthefrontofthestructure.Theredidnotappeartobedeteriorationofthewood.Thesupport
wasvisibleatthetimeoftheinspection.Awoodbalconyshouldbecleanedandsealedregularlytoprevent
deterioration.
ROOFSTRUCTURE
Theroofwasaventilated,gabledesigncoveredwithcompositionshingles.Theroofwascoveredwithsnoworfrost
whichdidnotallowcompleteinspection.Observationofthevisibleroofsurfacesandflashingwasperformedfromthe
groundlevelduetofrost.Theageoftheroofcoveringwasapproximately8years,asdisclosed.
Thisvisualroofinspectionisnotintendedasawarrantyoranestimateontheremaininglifeoftheroof.Anyroof
metal,especiallytheflashingandvalleys,mustbekeptwellpaintedwithapaintspeciallyformulatedforthatuse.
Page4of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
RAINGUTTERS
Theroofdrainagesystemconsistedofmetalguttersanddownspoutswhichappearedtobeinserviceableconditionat
thetimeoftheinspection.Guttersanddownspoutsshouldreceiveroutinemaintenancetopreventprematurefailure.
FOUNDATION
Thefoundationwasconcreteblock.Therewasnoabnormalcracking,movement,orsettlingofthefoundationnoted.A
singleinspectioncannotdeterminewhetheranymovementinafoundationhasceased.Anycracksinthefoundation
orfooting,nomatterhowsmall,shouldbemonitoredregularly.Soilconditionsaroundandunderthefoundationare
notwithinthescopeofanormalhomeinspection.
CRAWLSPACE
Thecrawlspacewasaccessibleatthetimeoftheinspection,andwasdry.Thecrawlspacehadapolyvinylvapor
barriercompletelycoveringthesurfaceofthesoils.Thecrawlspacedidhaveadequateventilationtoaidincontrolling
themoisturelevelswithinthearea.
FLOORSTRUCTURE
ThevisiblefloorstructureconsistedofOSBplywoodsub-floor,supportedbytwo-inchbyten-inchplybeamsspaced
16-inchesoncenter.Therewasaponywallsystemforloadbearingsupport.Therimjoistandsillplatewasinspected
infourrepresentativelocations.
PLUMBING
Thevisiblewatersupplylineswerepolyethylenepipe.Thewaterwassuppliedbyapublicsource.Thevisiblewaste
linesconsistedofABSpipe.Thestructurewasconnectedtoapublicsewersystem.Allplumbingfixturesnot
permanentlyattachedtoahouseholdappliancewereoperatedandinspectedforvisibleleaks.Waterflowthroughout
thestructurewasaverage.
BATHROOMS
Thestructurecontainedtwobathrooms.Aradiofrequencymoisturemeterisusedonallshowerenclosuresandthe
floorareasaroundtoilets.Thesemetersmaydetectpossiblelatentdefects,duetowaterintrusion,notvisibleduringa
normalinspection.Anymoistureindicationnotedintherecommendationpageshouldbefollowedbyfurther
investigationandrepairofanymoisturedamagedmaterialencountered.Werecommendthathomeswithtiledshower
enclosureshavethegroutcleanedandsealedannually.
GASMETER
Thegasmeterwaslocatedontheexteriorwall.Althoughnoactualtestingwasperformedtodetectthepresenceof
gasfumes,therewasnonoticeableodorofgasdetectedatthetimeoftheinspection.
ELECTRICSERVICE
Theundergroundelectricservicewireenteredthestructureontheexteriorwall.Theelectricmeterwaslocatedonthe
exteriorwall.
TheservicewireenteredaSiemensservicepanel,locatedontheinteriorwallwitha100ampand120/240voltrated
capacity.Thebranchcircuitswithinthepanelwerecopper.
ThevisiblehousewiringconsistedprimarilyoftheRomextypeandappearedtobeingoodcondition.
Page5of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
Arepresentativenumberofinstalledlightingfixtures,switches,andreceptacleslocatedthroughoutthestructurewere
inspectedandwerefoundtobefunctioning.Thegroundingandpolarityofarepresentativenumberofreceptacles,
andthoseattachedtogroundfaultcircuitinterrupters(GFCI),ifpresent,werealsotested.Thisbuildinghasa
groundedelectricalsystem.Olderhomesmaybegroundedtothewaterpipingsystemand/ortoanexteriorgrounding
rod.Anexteriorgroundingrodwasnotvisible.AllGFCIreceptaclesandGFCIcircuitbreakersshouldbetested
monthly.TherewereGFCIprotectedcircuitslocatedinthehome.
ThefreezerinthegarageisonaGFCIprotectedcircuit.AllgarageoutletsarerequiredtobeGFCIprotected,
however,themanufacturerrecommendsthatappliancesnotbepluggedintoaGFCIprotectedcircuittoprevent
tripping.
Alarms,electronickeypads,remotecontroldevices,landscapelighting,telephoneandtelevision,andallelectric
companyequipmentarebeyondthescopeofthisinspection.
SMOKEALARMS
Therewereadequatesmokealarmsfoundinthestructure.Forsafetyreasons,thesmokealarmsshouldbetested
uponoccupancy.Thebatteries(ifany)shouldbereplacedwithnewoneswhenyoumoveintothehouse,andtested
onamonthlybasisthereafter.
CARBONMONOXIDEDETECTORS
Therewereadequatecarbonmonoxidedetector/swithinthelivingspace.Installationofthisdeviceishighly
encouragedandmonthlytestingoftheunitusingitsbuilt-intesterisrecommended.Anchoragemunicipalordinance
AO2004-64requiresinstallationofaplug-in,withbatteryback-up,carbonmonoxidedetector,andAlaskaStateLaw
requiresinstallationofaplug-inorbatteryback-uponeachlevelofthehomeandoutsideanysleepingareasin
residentialbuildings.Thesemaybecombinedwithsmokealarmscurrentlyinstalled.
WINDOWS,DOORS,WALLSANDCEILINGS
Arepresentativenumberofaccessiblewindowsanddoorswereoperatedandfoundtobefunctional.Possible
problemareasmaynotbeidentifiedifthewindowsordoorshavebeenrecentlypainted.
Theprimarywindowswereconstructedofvinyl,slidingstyle,withdoublepaneglass.Foggingand/orcondensation
betweenwindowpaneshasmanycausesandcanoccurunderchangingclimacticconditions.Thelossofinsulating
valueofthewindowduetoathermalsealfailureisminimal,andthereforeconsideredacosmeticdefect.
Somehomesmayproducecondensationontheinsidepanesofthewindowglassandcausedeteriorationofthe
finishesandwoodframing.Highhumiditylevelswithinahomecanaccentuatethiseffect.Excessivecondensationmay
alsorunontothewallstructurebelowthewindowscausingpainttopeel.Periodicmaintenancemayberequiredto
maintainthesewindowsandframes.
Themasterbedroomwindowisnotsealedtothesiding.Caulkthewindowtothesidingtopreventpossiblemoisture
intrusion.
Page6of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
Theinteriorwallandceilingsurfaceswerefinishedwithdrywall.Possibleproblemareasmaynotbeidentifiedifthe
interiorwallandceilingsurfaceshavebeenrecentlypainted.TheHomeTeaminspectsforevidenceofstructuralfailure
andsafetyconcernsonly.Thecosmeticconditionofthepaint,wallcovering,carpeting,windowcoverings,etc.,arenot
addressed.
HANDRAILSANDBALUSTERS
Theinteriorandexteriorhandrailbalusterseparationinsomehomesmayexceedthecurrentcodestandardofnot
morethanfour-inchseparationduetohavingbeenacceptableatthetimeoftheoriginalconstruction.Handrailheight,
constructionandmaterialsmayalsovary.Thisconditionmaybeofconcerntofamilieswithsmallchildrenand
considerationshouldbegiventorepairingorreplacinghandrailstothecurrentcodestandard.
EXTERIORDOORS
Allexteriordoorswereoperated.Theexteriordoorlocksshouldbechangedorre-keyeduponoccupancy.
KITCHEN
Thevisibleportionsofthecabinetsandcountertopswereingoodcondition.Theapplianceswereturnedontocheck
operationalfunctiononly.Nowarranty,expressorimplied,isgivenforthecontinuedoperationalintegrityofthe
appliancesortheircomponents.
Thesinkfaucetinthekitchenleaksatthestem.Repairorreplacethefaucetasneededtoensurealeakfree
operation.
Page7of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
Theelectricrangewasinspectedanddidappeartobefunctional.Theaccuracyoftheclock,timersandsettingson
ovensarenotwithinthescopeofthisinspection.
Therangehood/microwavewasinspectedandappearedtobefunctional.Therangehood/microwaveappearedtobe
ventedtotheexteriorofthebuilding.Theexhaustcapacityisnotwithinthescopeofthisinspection.Periodically
cleaningthefanandfiltermayincreasetheexhaustcapability.
Therefrigeratorwasinspectedanddidappeartobefunctional.Thetemperaturesettingandicemaker,ifpresent,are
notwithinthescopeoftheinspection.
Thedishwasherwasobservedthroughacompletecycleanddidappeartobefunctionalwhensetonthe"wash"and
"drain"cycle.
Thedisposalwasinspectedandwasfunctional.Theefficiencyratingisnotwithinthescopeoftheinspection.
DRYERCONNECTIONSANDVENT
Thisnoteissuppliedforinformationalpurposesonly,asmanyclientswanttoknowthetypeofdryerconnections
availabletothem.A240voltoutletforanelectricdryerwasinstalledinthelaundryarea.Adryerventwasinstalled
andthevisibleportionofthedryerventwasinspected.
FIREPLACE
Aventedgasfireplacewaslocatedinthelivingroom.Theunitwasvisuallyinspectedanddidnotappeartobe
functional.Manyoftheseunitsarecontrolledbyawallmountedswitch.Someoperatebyremotecontrol,whileothers
arecontrolledfromthebaseoftheunit.Theseunitsusuallycomewithaninstructionplatethatisattachedtotheunit
insidethecontrolaccesspanel.Besuretoreadandunderstandtheoperatingprocedurespriortooperatingtheunit.
Theflametothefireplacepulsateswhileonandduringtheinitialstartuptheflamewentout.Furtherreviewand
repairstobecompletedbyaqualifiedfireplacecontractor.
ATTICSTRUCTURE
Atticaccesswaslocatedintheceiling.Theatticwasinsulatedwithloose-fillinsulation,approximately10-inchesin
depth.Ventilationthroughouttheatticwasprovidedbyridgeandsoffitvents.Theroofstructureconsistedoftwo-inch
bysix-inchwoodtrussesspaced24-inchesoncenterandOSBplywoodsheathing.
Becauseoftheconfigurationoftheframing,whichlimitedaccess,itwasnotpossibletoinspectallareasoftheattic.
Therewasnomoisturevisibleintheatticspace.
Page8of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
WATERHEATER
Therewasa48-galloncapacity,naturalgaswaterheaterlocatedinthegarage.Informationonthewaterheater
indicatedthatitwasmanufacturedapproximately8yearsago.Thetemperatureandpressure(T&P)valvewas
presentanddidhaveadripleginstalled.Thewaterheaterdidhaveapprovedseismicstrapsinstalled.Thewater
heaterwasfunctional.
HVACINSPECTIONREPORT
Annualmaintenanceoftheheatingequipmentisessentialforsafeandefficientperformance,whichwillmaximizethe
system'susefullife.Periodicpreventivemaintenanceisrecommendedtokeeptheheatingsystemingoodworking
condition.Duetotheseriousnatureofcombustionairrequirementsandcarbonmonoxidehazardsassociatedwith
gasfiredequipment,werecommendthesetestsbeperformedbycertifiedheatingandventilationspecialists.The
resultsofourvisualandoperationalinspectionoftheheatingsystemaredescribedbelow.
Thestructurewasheatedbyanaturalgasforcedairfurnacelocatedinthegarage.
Theheatingsystemwasfoundtobefunctional.
RecommendaprofessionalservicingandinspectionoftheheatingsystemandwaterheaterbyaqualifiedHVAC
techniciantoincludecleaningifnotcompletedwithinthepast12months.Manufacturersrecommendannualservicing
andrepairtoensureproperoperationoftheheatingsystem.Technicalinspectionandexhaustivesystemoperation
checkisnotwithinthescopeofthisinspection.RepairasfurtherrecommendedbyHVACtechnician.Receiptrequired
uponreinspection.
FILTERTYPE
Thedisposablefiltershouldbereplacedonaregularbasistomaintaintheefficiencyofthesystem.Theefficiency
ratingisnotwithinthescopeofthisinspection.
HEATINGSYSTEMCONTROLS
Thecontrolfortheheatingsystemwasa24voltthermostatlocatedontheinteriorwallofthehome.Thethermostat
wasfunctionalatthetimeoftheinspection.
GARAGEUNITHEATER
Thegaragewasseparatelyheated.Thethermostaticallycontrollednaturalgasunitheaterwasnotfunctionalatthe
timeoftheinspection.Theheatingcapacityofagarageunitheaterisnotwithinthescopeofanormalhome
inspection.
Thegarageunitheaterdidnotrespondtothethermostatatthetimeoftheinspection.Repairstobecompletedbya
qualifiedHVACtechnician.
MOLD
Thepossiblehealtheffectsfromexposuretoelevatedlevelsofmoldwithinahomehasbeenagrowingconcernover
thepastfewyears.Healtheffectsingeneralarenotwellstudied,anddosage,exposure,andsensitivitythresholdsare
notwellknownandcanpotentiallyvarytremendouslydependingonvariousconditionsandontheparticular
individuals.
Thepresenceofmoldwithinahome,visibleorhidden,maybeofconcernandwerecommendconsultingqualified
professionalsforanydetection,identification,and/orremediationneeds.Therewasnovisiblemoldobservedinthe
structureatthetimeofthisinspection.
Page9of10
FileNumber:00000
AddressofInspection:123 Sample Drive
REASONABLEEXPECTATIONSREGARDINGAPROFESSIONALHOMEINSPECTION:
Theremaycomeatimewhenyoudiscoversomethingwrongwiththehouse,andyoumaybeupsetordisappointedwithyour
homeinspection.Therearesomethingswe'dlikeyoutokeepinmind.
Intermittentorconcealedproblems:Someproblemscanonlybediscoveredbylivinginahouse.Theycannotbediscovered
duringthefewhoursofahomeinspection.Forexample,someshowerstallsleakwhenpeopleareintheshower,butdonotleak
whenyousimplyturnonthetap.Someroofsandbasementsonlyleakwhenspecificconditionsexist.Someproblemswillonly
bediscoveredwhencarpetsarelifted,furnitureismovedorfinishesareremoved.
Noclues:Theseproblemsmayhaveexistedatthetimeoftheinspection,buttherewerenocluesastotheirexistence.Our
inspectionsarebasedonthepastperformanceofthehouse.Iftherearenocluesofapastproblem,itisunfairtoassumewe
shouldforeseeafutureproblem.
Wealwaysmisssomeminorthings:Somesayweareinconsistentbecauseourreportsidentifysomeminorproblemsbutnot
others.Theminorproblemsthatareidentifiedwerediscoveredwhilelookingformoresignificantproblems.Wenotethemsimply
asacourtesy.Theintentoftheinspectionisnottofindthe$200problems;itistofindthe$1000problems.Thesearethethings
thataffectpeople'sdecisionstopurchase.
Contractor'sadvice:Acommonsourceofdissatisfactionwithhomeinspectorscomesfromcommentsmadebycontractors.
Contractors'opinionsoftendifferfromours.Don'tbesurprisedwhenthreeroofersallsaytheroofneedsreplacement,whenwe
saidthattheroofwouldlastafewmoreyearswithsomeminorrepairs.
"Lastmanin"theory:Whileouradvicerepresentsthemostprudentthingtodo,manycontractorsarereluctanttoundertake
theserepairs.Thisisbecauseofthe"lastmanin"theory.Thecontractorfearsthatifheisthelastpersontoworkontheroof,he
willgetblamediftheroofleaks,regardlessofwhetherornottheroofleakishisfault.Consequently,hewon'twanttodoaminor
repairwithhighliability,whenhecouldre-rooftheentirehouseformoremoneyandreducethelikelihoodofacallback.Thisis
understandable.
Mostrecentadviceisbest:Thereismoretothe"lastmanin"theory.Itsuggeststhatitishumannatureforhomeownersto
believethelastbitofexpertadvicetheyreceive,evenifitiscontrarytopreviousadvice.Ashomeinspectors,weunfortunately
findourselvesinthepositionof"firstmanin"andconsequentlyitisouradvicethatisoftendisbelieved.
Whydidn'tweseeit?:Contractorsmaysay,"Ican'tbelieveyouhadthishouseinspected,andtheydidn'tfindthisproblem."
Thereareseveralreasonsfortheseapparentoversights:
Conditionsduringinspection:Itisdifficultforhomeownerstorememberthecircumstancesinthehouseatthetimeof
theinspection.Homeownersseldomrememberthatitwassnowing,therewasstorageeverywhereorthatthefurnacecould
notbeturnedonbecausetheairconditioningwasoperating,etc.It'simpossibleforcontractorstoknowwhatthe
circumstanceswerewhentheinspectionwasperformed.
Thiswisdomofhindsight:Whentheproblemmanifestsitself,itisveryeasytohave20/20hindsight.Anybodycansay
thatthebasementiswetwhenthereis2"ofwateronthefloor.Predictingtheproblemisadifferentstory.
Alonglook;Ifwespenthalfanhourunderthekitchensinkor45minutesdisassemblingthefurnace,we'dfindmore
problems,too.Unfortunately,theinspectionwouldtakeseveraldaysandwouldcostconsiderablymore.
We'regeneralists:Wearegeneralists;wearenotspecialists.Theheatingcontractormayindeedhavemoreheating
expertisethanwedo.Thisisbecauseweareexpectedtohaveheatingexpertiseandplumbingexpertise,structural
expertise,electricalexpertise,etc.
Aninvasivelook:Problemsoftenbecomeapparentwhencarpetsorplasterareremoved,whenfixturesorcabinetsare
pulledout,andsoon.Ahomeinspectionisavisualexamination.Wedon'tperforminvasiveordestructivetests.
Notinsurance:Inconclusion,ahomeinspectionisdesignedtobetteryourodds.Itisnotdesignedtoeliminateallrisk.Forthat
reason,ahomeinspectionshouldnotbeconsideredaninsurancepolicy.Thepremiumthataninsurancecompanywouldhaveto
chargeforapolicywithnodeductible,nolimitandanindefinitepolicyperiodwouldbeconsiderablymorethanthefeewecharge.
Itwouldalsonotincludethevalueaddedbytheinspection.
ReprintedfromASHIReporter,ByPermissionofAlanCarson,CarsonDunlop&Assoc.
Page10of10