Why a regularly scheduled inspection of your house is important.

Regularly scheduled Inspection of your house could save you on expensive and avoidable future repair costs. Most homeowners think that their house is a static thing. It isn’t. Your house constantly reacts to the environment around it. Changing weather and environmental conditions will have a profound impact on the many different building systems in and around your home over time. It is important for every homeowner to be aware of the current state of their homes systems and monitor for changes using a scheduled inspection regime. I suggest at least once a year and ideally in the spring as the frost is coming out of the ground. This is the best time to assess if your house is being impacted by seasonal changes.

Items to include on your inspection are:

Roof Shingles- Check all sides of your roof looking for loose or missing shingles, and shingle wear

Grade- Check that the ground and hard walkway surfaces around your house have not shifted and are still supporting positive drainage away from your house

Drains- Check for signs of damage or leaks in eave troughs and downspouts. Ensure that all water from the drainage systems is still directed away from the house

Foundation- Check the perimeter of the foundation looking for cracks or damage that require sealing or repair

Window- Check basement windows that have window wells to make sure that the wells are clear of any blockage or debris. Check all above ground windows to make sure that the caulking and paint has not deteriorated

Plumbing- Test all exterior hose bibs to ensure that they have no damage from the winter cold. Turn your main water supply at the water meter off and back on. Run all faucets in the house for a few minutes and pour some water into the basement floor drain. Inspect all faucet shut offs under sinks and at toilets in the house by turning them off and back on and look for signs of leaks

Electrical- Check each breaker at the main electrical panel as well as all Arc Fault and Ground Fault breakers and receptacles by switching them off and back on to ensure that they reset properly.

Heating and cooling- Open the furnace cabinet cover and look for signs of leaks inside the furnace. Replace your furnace filter. Schedule a service call for both your furnace and air conditioner

Attic- Safely inspection your attic from the hatch entry point looking for signs of leaks through the roof, mould caused by poor ventilation, damage or disturbance of the attic insulation, and proper connections of all mechanical vents

Interior- Check for signs of leaks or water damage at:

· The interior perimeter of the basement.

· Interior walls below windows.

· Ceilings below attic spaces, bathrooms and laundry rooms

Implementing a scheduled inspection can help avoid damage to your home and ultimately maintain the value of your home.

Brian Daley

Registered Home Inspector

Brian Daley is a registered home inspector

and author of Guide to Home Inspections and the Home Inspection series.