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Standards of Practice per International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

2.1. Roof

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the roof covering;
B. the gutters;
C. the downspouts;
D. the vents, flashings, skylights, chimney and other roof
    penetrations; and 
E. the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible
    panels, doors or stairs.

2.2. Exterior

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the siding, flashing and trim;
B. all exterior doors, decks, stoops, steps, stairs, porches, railings,
    eaves, soffits and fascias;

C. and report as in need of repair any spacings between
    intermediate balusters, spindles, or rails for steps, stairways,
    balconies, and railings that permit the passage of an object
    greater than 4 inches in diameter;

D. a representative number of windows;
E. the vegetation, surface drainage, and retaining walls when these
    are likely to adversely affect the structure;
F. and describe the exterior wall covering.

2.3. Basement, Foundation & Crawlspace

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the basement;
B. the foundation;
C. the crawlspace;
D. the visible structural components;

E. and report on the location of under-floor access openings;
F. and report any present conditions or clear indications of active
    water penetration observed by the inspector; 

G. for wood in contact or near soil;

H. and report any general indications of foundation movement that 
    are observed by the inspector, such as, but not limited to:
    sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, or floor
    slopes;

I.  and report on any cutting, notching and boring of framing 
    members which may present a structural or safety concern.

2.4. Heating

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the heating systems using normal operating controls, and
    describe the energy source and heating method;
B. and report as in need of repair heating systems which do not
    operate;
C. and report if the heating systems are deemed inaccessible.

2.5. Cooling

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the central cooling equipment using normal operating controls.

   

2.6. Plumbing

I. The inspector shall:

A. inspect and determine if the water supply is public or private;

B. verify the presence of and identify the location of the main water
    shut-off valve;
C. inspect the water heating equipment, including venting,
    connections, energy source supply system, and seismic bracing,
    and verify the presence or absence of temperature-pressure relief
    valves and/or Watts 210 valves;
D. flush toilets;
E. run water in sinks, tubs, and showers;
F. inspect the interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets;
G. inspect the drain, waste and vent systems, including all fixtures;
H. describe any visible fuel storage systems;
I.  inspect the drainage sump pumps and test pumps with accessible
    floats;
J.  inspect and describe the water supply, drain, waste and main fuel
    shut-off valves, as well as the location of the water main and main
    fuel shut-off valves;
K. inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the water
    supply by viewing the functional flow in two fixtures operated
    simultaneously;
L. inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in installation
    and identification of hot and cold faucets;
M. inspect and report as in need of repair mechanical drain-stops 
    that are missing or do not operate if installed in sinks, lavatories 
    and tubs; and
N. inspect and report as in need of repair commodes that have
    cracks in the ceramic material, are improperly mounted on the
    floor, leak, or have tank components which do not operate.

2.7. Electrical

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the service drop/lateral;
B. the meter socket enclosures;
C. the means for disconnecting the service main;
D. and describe the service disconnect amperage rating, if labeled;
E. panelboards and overcurrent devices (breakers and fuses);

F. and report on any unused circuit breaker panel openings that 
   are not filled;
G. the service grounding and bonding;
H. a representative number of switches, lighting
    fixtures, and receptacles, including receptacles observed

    and deemed to be AFCI-protected during the inspection

    using an AFCI tester, where possible;

I. and test all Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles 
   and GFCI circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs 
   during the inspection using a GFCI tester, where possible;

J. and report the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch
   circuit wiring, if readily visible;
K. and report on any tested receptacles in which
    power was not present, polarity is incorrect, is not secured to
    the wall, the cover is not in place, the ground fault circuit
    interrupter devices are not properly installed or do not operate
    properly, evidence of arcing or excessive heat is present, or
    where the receptacle is not grounded or is not secured to the
    wall; 
L. the service entrance conductors and the condition of the
    conductor insulation;
M. and report the absence of smoke detectors; and 
N. service entrance cables, and report as in need of repair
    deficiencies in the integrity of the insulation, drip loop, or
    separation of conductors at weatherheads and clearances from
    grade or rooftops.

2.8. Fireplace

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the fireplace, and open and close the damper door, if readily
    accessible and operable;
B. hearth extensions and other permanently installed components;
C. and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the lintel, hearth
    and material surrounding the fireplace, including fireplace
    opening clearance from visible combustible materials.

2.9. Attic, Ventilation & Insulation

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. the insulation in unfinished spaces;
B. the ventilation of attic spaces;
C. mechanical ventilation systems;
D. and report on the general absence or lack of insulation in
    unfinished spaces.

2.10. Doors, Windows & Interior

I. The inspector shall:

A. open and close a representative number of doors and windows;
B. inspect the walls, ceilings, steps, stairways and railings;

C. and report as in need of repair any spacing between 
    intermediate balusters, spindles or rails for steps, stairways and
    railings that permit the passage of an object greater than 4
    inches in diameter;
D. inspect garage doors and garage door openers by operating
    first by remote (if available), and then by the installed automatic
    door control;
E. and report as in need of repair any installed electronic sensors
    that are not operable or not installed at proper heights above
    the garage door;
F. and report as in need of repair any door locks or side ropes that
    have not been removed or disabled when garage door opener
    is in use;
G. and report as in need of repair any windows that are obviously
    fogged or display other evidence of broken seals.