Full Home Inspection Services

A large part of buying a home is wanting to be safe from the weather. This starts with the roof. The inspection of the roof includes the roof coverings, gutters, downspouts, flashings, chimney, vents, skylights, roof penetrations, as well as the general structure, and condition. A home inspector does not provide life expectancy or repair costs. You will need a formal roof inspection by a licensed contractor to get that level of information.

Your home is more than what you see every day. That is why the home inspectors look at the insulation and ventilation of unfinished spaces and any potential issues, though not all unfinished areas need to be insulated.. These include, but are not limited to, attics, crawlspaces, foundation areas, exhaust systems.

The exterior of your home is more than just how it looks. You also want to make sure it is protecting you against the elements. The exterior part of the home inspection will include siding, exterior doors, flashing & trim, windows, walkways, stairs, drainage, patios & decks, driveways. Though fences and gates are not considered part of a formal home inspection, Zenith Property Inspections does inspect the fence and gates for any damage that may need repair to maintain a safe and neighborly fence line.

The foundation is just that, the foundation. Without a quality foundation, it all falls apart. Zenith Property Inspections will look for foundation movement, cracks, structural concerns, and any indications of water penetration in all visible and accessible areas of the crawl space and/or basement. If your house is in a sloped or hilly area you should consider having an inspection of all these areas once every year or two, depending on weather and watering conditions. Most people buy a home and then never have their crawlspace or attic inspected. Unwanted or unexpected water or pests can do damage if found too late.

During the summer months, you don’t want to be stuck without cooling. That is why our home inspector will look at the condition of the properties cooling system. They will locate the thermostat, energy source and will identify the type of cooling system you have. Be aware that AC units should not typically be operated at outside temperatures of below 65 degrees. The unit will not operate efficiently and you can possibly cause damage. Check the users manual for safe operating instructions.

Similar to the cooling systems, the heating systems are also important. Especially when the temperature drops on those cold winter nights. So we will also check on the condition of the heating system, location of the thermostat, energy source, and identify heating system. Make sure to review your users manual and follow all recommendations for periodic maintenance. Make sure to change all of your air filters at minimum annually for clean and efficient air flow throughout the system and your home. This will also help extend the life of your heating and cooling system.

You know the danger of fire and smoke. That is why we inspect the visible portions of the fireplace & chimneys, lintels, damper doors, clean-out doors, and frames. Look at your chimney exterior periodically and notice any cracks or loose mortar that maybe wasn’t there when you looked before. You should examine the exterior at least annually for any weathering, cracks, or missing/loose mortar. If you have a brick chimney all these items are very important to review. Wood burning fireplaces should always be cleaned after move in and prior to your first use. This will ensure a safe environment. Annual or bi-annual cleanings based on usage are highly recommended.

The electrical services enter your property either above ground or below ground. Zenith Property Inspections will inspect these entry points for safe and proper connections. Our home inspections include the service drop. (This is where the electrical company connects to your property.) As well as the conductors, service head and mast, electrical main, panel-boards, ground switches, outlets, and the presence of smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors. Older homes typically do not have grounded outlets inside or outside the house. Older main electrical panels should be inspected by a qualified Electrician to determine continued safe use, life expectancy, and to determine if the panel should be upgraded to safely handle todays electrical and technology requirements.

Water damage is almost always a concern when buying homes. That is why plumbing tends to get the most attention. Our inspector will check the main water & fuel supply shut-off valves, water heater, toilets, interior water supply, sinks, showers, bath-tubs, drains, as well as waste, and ventilation systems. If your home sits on a raised crawl space, then this area should be inspected every year or two, depending on the type of property and soil the house sits on. Water will go where it wants if there’s a leak or incorrect exterior drainage around the house.

The rest of the house falls under this category. This typically includes doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, stairs, railings, garage doors, and openers. Small cracks are not uncommon but you want to make sure they are not in areas of concern. This a great reason to have your home inspected every few years to ensure the house is in good condition. Safety first makes sense when talking about your home.