June 7, 2016

Interior Inspections

interior home inspectionsAs per the International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection set by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, B to B Home Inspections will inspect your exterior of the home abiding by the following:

Ed Lawton, the inspector at B to B Home Inspections, shall inspect the following interior elements. At the time of this part of the inspection, the inspector will inspect:

  • a representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them;
  • floors, walls and ceilings;
  • stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps;
  • railings, guards and handrails; and
  • garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.

Description

The inspector shall describe a garage vehicle door as manually-operated or installed with a garage door opener.

Report

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  • improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails for steps, stairways, guards and railings;
  • photo-electric safety sensors that did not operate properly; and
  • any window that was obviously fogged or displayed other evidence of broken seals.

Please note, the inspector is not required to:

  • inspect paint, wallpaper, window treatments or finish treatments.
  • inspect floor coverings or carpeting.
  • inspect central vacuum systems.
  • inspect for safety glazing.
  • inspect security systems or components.
  • evaluate the fastening of islands, countertops, cabinets, sink tops or fixtures.
  • move furniture, stored items, or any coverings, such as carpets or rugs, in order to inspect the concealed floor structure.
  • move suspended-ceiling tiles.
  • inspect or move any household appliances.
  • inspect or operate equipment housed in the garage, except as otherwise noted.
  • verify or certify the proper operation of any pressure-activated auto-reverse or related safety feature of a garage door.
  • operate or evaluate any security bar release and opening mechanisms, whether interior or exterior, including their compliance with local, state or federal standards.
  • operate any system, appliance or component that requires the use of special keys, codes, combinations or devices.
  • operate or evaluate self-cleaning oven cycles, tilt guards/latches, or signal lights.
  • inspect microwave ovens or test leakage from microwave ovens.
  • operate or examine any sauna, steam-generating equipment, kiln, toaster, ice maker, coffee maker, can opener, bread warmer, blender,
  • instant hot-water dispenser, or other small, ancillary appliances or devices.
  • inspect elevators.
  • inspect remote controls.
  • inspect appliances.
  • inspect items not permanently installed.
  • discover firewall compromises.
  • inspect pools, spas or fountains.
  • determine the adequacy of whirlpool or spa jets, water force, or bubble effects.
  • determine the structural integrity or leakage of pools or spas.

As Per NJ State Standards

When inspecting the interior of a residential building, a home inspector shall:

1) Inspect:
i) Walls, ceilings, and floors excluding paint, wallpaper and other finish treatments, carpeting and other non-permanent floor coverings;
ii) Steps, stairways, and railings;
iii) Installed kitchen wall cabinets to determine if secure;
iv) At least one interior passage door and operate one window per room excluding window treatments; and
v) Household appliances limited to:
(1) The kitchen range and oven to determine operation of burners or heating elements excluding microwave ovens
and the operation of self-cleaning cycles and appliance timers and thermostats;
(2) Dishwasher to determine water supply and drainage; and
(3) Garbage disposer.

When inspecting the insulation components and ventilation system of a residential
building, the home inspector shall:

1) Inspect:
i) Insulation in unfinished spaces without disturbing insulation;
ii) Ventilation of attics and crawlspaces; and
iii) Mechanical ventilation systems; and

2) Describe:
i) Insulation in unfinished spaces adjacent to heated areas; and
ii) Evidence of inadequate attic and crawlspace ventilation.

References

International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection.” InterNACHI. N.p., June 2013. Web. 07 June 2016.

“13:40-15.16 STANDARDS OF PRACTICE.” NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: HOME INSPECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Home Inspection Advisory Committee (n.d.): n. pag. NJ Consumer Affairs. 20 Apr. 2015. Web.