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Home Inspection Service Definitions

Below are some common home inspection service definitions to help you better understand your home inspection report.

Circuitry

Your Red Star Home Inspector will inspect the circuit wiring and all receptacles. He will note any areas where power is not present, polarity is incorrect, or instances in which the unit is not grounded (if applicable). He will also report evidence of arcing or excessive heat, units that are not securely fastened to the wall and covers that are not in place.

Safety Control

Your Red Star Home Inspector will ensure the ground fault circuit interrupter devices are properly installed.

Heating System

Your Red Star Home Inspector will inspect the heating system and it’s energy sources. The inspector will report systems that do not operate properly using normal control devices and deficiencies in controls and accessible operating components of the system. In Gas Units: The inspector will inspect the burner and report deficiencies in the burner compartment, type, condition, draft and termination of the vent pipe or proximity to combustibles; the lack of combustion and draft air or inappropriate location, or lack of forced air in the burner compartment. He will also report gas units that display flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame color or excessive scale buildup. Your inspector will ensure the proper use of materials for the gas branch line and the connection to the appliance, he will report the absence of a gas shut-off valve, or a valve that is not properly located, inaccessible, or leaks. Your inspector will report elements in electric furnaces that do not operate properly, or a return chase or plenum that are not free of improper and hazardous conditions, such as gas pipes, sewer vents, refrigerant piping or electrical wiring, and will ensure that the furnace is accessible.

Cooling System

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the cooling system for proper pressure of system coolant and determine presence of leaks, he will also inspect digital thermostats and controls to ensure proper function.

Ducts and Vents

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect all ducts, vents (including dryer vents) and flues. He will report any damaged ducts, insulation, improper material or improper routing of ducts where visible. He will ensure proper airflow at all accessible supply registers in the living areas of the structure and report any deficiencies in accessible duct fans and filters. Your inspector will also report deficiencies in installation, such as gas piping, sewer vents, electrical wiring or junction boxes in the plenum, returns, chases or improper sealing, where visible. He will inspect all system components and report any flue or vent pipe that does not properly terminate and report any deficiencies in materials used for the venting system.

Water Supply

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect all accessible and visible water supply sources and report any deficiencies in the condition and operation of all fixtures and faucets. He will note any areas in which there is a lack of back-flow devices, anti siphon devices or systems or air gaps. Your inspector will report any incompatible materials in connecting devices between differing metals in the supply system, and deficiencies in water supply by viewing functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously.

Drains

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect all accessible drains and plumbing fixtures to ensure proper drainage and proper installation of fixtures. He will report any lack of mechanical drain-stops in sinks lavatories and tubs.

Water Heaters

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the water heater and report the energy source and any fittings that leak or are corroded. He will inspect the temperature and pressure relief valve piping and report one that lacks gravity drainage, is improperly sized, has deficiencies in material, or lacks a correct termination. He will also report temperature and pressure relief valves that do not operate properly when the valve is of an operable type and operation will not cause damage to persons or property. The inspector will ensure there are no broken or missing parts, covers or controls. He will report any deficiencies in the burner, flame and burner compartment, the operation of the heating elements and the condition of wiring. He will make sure that adequate materials were used for the gas branch line and the connection to the appliance, and that a gas shut-off valve is present and accessible. Your RedStarHome Inspector will also report deficiencies in the vent pipe, draft diverter, draft hood and their condition, draft, proximity to combustibles and vent termination point, observing for adequate combustion and draft air. He will note unsafe locations or installation and any lack of safety pans or drains. Garage Location: When the water heater is located in the garage your inspector will note any lack of protection for physical damage to the unit and burners or burner ignition devices or heating elements, switches or thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above the lowest garage floor elevation.

Septic Tanks

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the sewage system and report any deficiencies in accessible or visual components. He will operate the plumbing fixtures for function and flow, visually inspect the tanks, fields or beds for evidence of seepage or inadequate site drainage. Your inspector will inspect the operation of the system and report any lack of visible access to tanks, he will report the type of system and location of drain fields, if possible. He will also note any aerators or dosing pumps that do not operate or equipment that is improperly wired.

Hydrotherapy

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect whirlpool equipment and report any unit that does not operate, leaks, lacks a ground fault circuit interrupter or has an interrupter that does not operate. He will also note any switches that are not in a safe location, or do not operate properly and report evidence of leaks under the tub, deficiencies in ports, valves, grates and covers.

Gas and Electric Ovens

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the oven and report any broken or missing knobs, handles, glass panels, door hinges, lights or light covers or other parts, and inadequate clearance from combustible material. He will also report deficiencies in door gasket, tightness of closure and operation of the latch and will ensure that the oven is securely mounted and the heating elements and thermostat sensing elements are properly supported. Your inspector will report deficiencies in the operation of the heating elements and lighting, he will also note the operation and condition of the flame, clock, timer, thermostat and door springs. Your Red Star Home Inspector will also note any inaccuracy of the thermostat when the discrepancy is more than 25 degrees (when set at 350 degrees). Electric or Gas Ranges: Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the stove and report any broken or missing knobs, elements, drip pans or other part, inadequate clearance form combustible material or the absence of an anti-tip device. He will also check the signal lights and elements and burner to ensure that they operate properly on both high and low settings. He will note any improper materials uses for the gas branch line and the connection to the appliance. Your inspector will also report the absence of a gas shut-off valve, or a valve that is not properly located, is inaccessible or has leaks.

Microwave

Your RedStar Home Inspector will operate and list any deficiencies in condition or operation of built in appliances.

Dishwasher

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the dishwasher and report any deficiencies in the door gasket, control knobs and interior parts, including the dish tray, rollers, spray arms and the soap dispenser. He will also note any signs of rust, door springs that do not operate properly, deficiencies in the discharge hose or piping and any presence of back flow. Your inspector will report any units that are not securely mounted and any water leaks. He will note any elements that do not work properly while the unit is in operation.

Garbage Disposal

 Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the food waste disposal and report any deficiencies in the splash guard, grinding components, wiring and exterior. He will ensure the unit is properly mounted and inspect the operation of the unit and report any unusual noise or vibration level, or signs of water leaks.

Trash Compactor

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the trash compactor and report the overall condition of the unit and ensure the unit is mounted correctly. He will also note any unit that does not operate properly or operates with unusual noise or vibration.

Bathroom Fans/Heaters

Your RedStar Home Inspector will inspect the bathroom exhaust vents and electric heaters and report any unusual sounds, speed, vibration levels, or, when possible, vent pipes that do not terminate outside the structure.

Garage Door Opener

Your RedStar Home Inspector will operate the door both manually and by an installed automatic door control. He will note any deficiencies in the installation, condition and operation of the garage door operator. Your inspector will also report any door that does not automatically reverse during closing cycle, any installed electronic sensors that are not operable or not installed at the proper heights above the garage floor and any locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled.

RedStar Professional Home Inspection Service Definitions