The Ins and Outs of Home Inspections

Sentinel Inspection Service provides timely, easily understood and thorough inspections of residential properties for both buyers & sellers and real estate professionals. These include single family homes, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes and apartments. The reports include color coded line items with a summary page that identifies the action items. All of the inspections include digital photography to help you identify particular items of concern.

• Structural Elements:
  The inspector identifies the structure of the building in terms of materials used and type of construction, depending on the accessibility to the inspector. He checks for major or minor problems in the various structural systems of the building, including the foundation, floor, wall, and roof framing.

• Exterior Evaluation:
  Your inspector visually inspects the roof and exterior walls and notes deficiencies. Roof runoff controls and landscape drainage are checked and improvements are recommended where necessary. I will be checking porches, steps, walks and drives for voids, surface problems and safety hazards. As an additional feature of the inspection I evaluate potential concerns with the landscape and evaluate trees & shrubs and irrigation when the inspection warrants it.

• Interior Evaluation:
  Your inspector will scan the walls, floor and ceiling surfaces for problematic conditions, such as visible evidence of water penetration, potentially dangerous or toxic materials, fire hazards or security breaches. He will check ventilation and energy conservation aspects as well.

• Plumbing:
  Your inspector checks piping and fixtures throughout the house for functional flow. He checks the system for unsanitary conditions and potential repairs, such as freeze vulnerability or spillage/overflow. He surveys the tile work and domestic water heating equipment as well.

• Electrical:
  Your inspector checks the existing electrical system for sufficient capacity and safety. He evaluates the system in terms of its current condition and considers its suitability for future intended use.

• Basement/Crawl Space/Slab:
  Your inspector will evaluate water seepage probabilities and structural problems, and remediation advice is given. He looks for possible problem areas that could cause structural problems, such as poor soil, surface drainage, close proximity tree roots, etc.

• Systems and Components:
  Your inspector checks the heating and air conditioning equipment and notes any deficiencies. He operates the equipment as temperatures permit. He will also check the water heaters to determine their functionality, condition and year of manufacture.

• Kitchens:
  Your inspector operates the built-in appliances and notes deficiencies. Equipment inspected includes, but is not limited to: cabinets, counters, sink(s), dishwasher, disposer, oven/range, cook top, microwaves, and ventilation.