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Home Inspection: Interior Rooms

Home Owner Tips

HOME INTERIORS

If you've ever heard the expression, If these walls could talk, you'll now see that they do. So do doors, stairs, windows, doors, and trim. They're gossiping about water stains, mold, crumbling walls, and toxic paint. Elsewhere, house parts whistle when the wind blows, squeak as their nails pull out, and belch smoke into the room. So look and listen closely. A few parting words about stairs: They can be tricky to assess and tough to repair. The task may be somewhat easier if their underside is unfinished. If not, you'll have to remove plaster or drywall to expose stair carriages and stringers, which greatly increases the difficultyand messof the job.

Inspection Focus

Interior room inspections are conducted visually. Inspectors examine and base findings on homes of similar construction and age.

Walls / Ceilings / Floors

Bathroom walls, ceilings and floors are inspected based on normal building practices for homes of similar age and construction and exclude cosmetic items. Cracks in walls are very common in most homes. Most small cracks usually indicate minor movement. These cracks are typically not serious and are even considered to be normal as the house gets older. Larger cracks may indicate ongoing movement and if noted in the report, further evaluation by a structural engineer is warranted. Squeaking floors in a house are generally the result of aging materials in the floor and minor stresses that are common as the house gets older. Unless otherwise noted in the report these should be considered a minor item only.

Doors & Windows

Interior portions of doors and windows are inspected for proper ventilation, use as emergency exits, and ease of operation. If a house experiences settling or movement with the walls, one of the first noticeable signs will likely be at the doors. If a door sticks, it usually means that the door or doors frame is no longer square.

Heating & Cooling

The presence of conditioned air sources to the bathrooms and their condition is reported.

Cabinets / Counters

Bathroom cabinets and counters are inspected for acceptable operation.

Stairs / Railings

Railing and stair systems are inspected for safety. Proper railing installation and consistent stair riser and tread dimensions are necessary for safety.

Wet Bar

Wet bars are inspected for proper installation of plumbing components, should be free of leaks, and drain and vent properly.

Fireplace

Fireplaces are checked for proper installation. We do not operate these units. We visually inspect them for signs of improper installation such as evidence of downdrafts, creosote in the throat or flue area, loose or missing dampers, and / or loose, missing or damaged fire box material. Flue interiors are not inspected. Please consult a professional chimney sweep.

Smoke Detectors

The presence of smoke detectors are reported and should be located on each floor, and at / or near the bedroom sections of the home.