Inspection Setup Basics
Safety:
- Smoke Detectors (not older than 10 years, replace batteries when chirping or indicated, wired houses require wired units)
- CO Detectors (any house with a gas source, wood fireplace/stove, or attached garage will need a CO detector)
Utilities:
- Ensure all utilities are on and operational. A home inspector can not turn on or off water valves, electrical breakers, and or gas valve. Something as simple as the gas being off will limit the inspection of major appliance and require a future re-inspect.
Appliances:
- Furnace:
- Ensure the furnace is operational by means of basic controls (thermostat, localized controls)
- Have the furnace serviced if it has not regularly been maintained, this is one of the most common items found on an inspection report.
- Change the filter and if the furnace cabinet and or ducts are dirty, they should be cleaned.
- While running the furnace, make sure there is heat coming from each registers, it is often an easy fix when the heat is less than normal.
- Most furnaces older than 20-25 years are generally considered beyond it’s service life, be prepared for a replacement request.
- Water Heater:
- The water heater should be set to produce 120 degrees on average at the fixtures.
- Water heaters in Oregon required specific seismic strapping, (insert guide based on types)
- A TPR valve required a down spout that discharges within 4-6” of the ground, (insert requirements)
- Any water heater older than 12 years is generally considered beyond it’s service life, be prepared for a replacements request.