Home Inspection

To develop a solid opinion of your foundation’s performance, we check for binding, out of square and non-latching doors, sloping floors, cracks and separations, sign of masonry buckling, rotation, cracking of deflection, and other visible signs of possible building movement. We look for signs of poor crawlspace ventilation, ineffective drainage, and exposed or damaged rebar & tension cables.

Texas weather is not easy on our roofs. Our preferred approach is always to walk the roof so that you get the most thorough inspection possible. A hands-on approach lets us feel, pull, lift and check the roof in ways not possible with some other methods. However, aerial photography and other methods offer options for roofs that cannot be walked on. We look for signs of past leaks, improper installation, and visible signs of failure in roof fasteners, roof covering materials, flashing and skylights.

We climb into each attic we inspect and check it from the best accessible vantage points. We look for signs of leaks, inadequate ventilation, depressions in the roof and framing-related issue that may affect the roof deck. This area is often where your HVAC unit is installed and we are able to see exposed wiring, plumbing vents and exhaust flues.

We inspect the interior by checking for water intrusion, cracks, sloping floors, and deficiencies in the fire wall between the garage and living area. During this portion of the inspection we are looking at the bathrooms, outlets, plumbing, windows, doors and many of the most occupied areas of the home.

Your exterior walls, doors and windows are your primary defense against the elements. We operate all the accessible doors and windows and check these them for signs of leakage. In homes with an attached garage, we verify that there is a suitable self-closing, fire-rated door between the garage and living area.

This is where we checked for fogged windows and the absence of safety glass in hazardous areas.

Stairway construction is very important to your safety. We check for uneven stair risers, treads that are too short, unsafe guard rails, and other safety features.

On a cold Texas day, having a cozy fire going on a cold day in your fireplace is a wonderful idea, but when installed or used improperly, can create the potential for danger. We check fireplaces and chimneys for built-up creosote, combustible materials, missing or inadequate fire blocking, and problems with the firebox and gas supply and exhaust flue.

We check porches, balconies, and decks for visible deterioration, missing, or improper guard rails. Genererally, areas that are 30 inches or higher above grade should have a guardrail to prevent injury.

As more safety requirements are incorporated into building codes, electrical systems have become more complex. We do a thorough evaluation of your electrical service, panels, grounding and bonding, GFCI receptacles, AFCI breakers, and smoke & carbon alarms.

Heat and air conditioning are essential features in Texas homes. We test the basic operation of a variety of types of HVAC units, check for installation-related issues, such as mounting, condensate drains, flame characteristics, absence of combustion and dilution air, and the vent pipe. We check that the air conditioner is able to cool the indoor air by at least 15-22 degrees Fahrenheit, and also examine the operation of the blower, outdoor coil and compressor.

The plumbing inspection begins with your water meter and the sewer line. We verify that your water pressure is between the recommended 40-80 psi. We check the type of supply and drain pipes and look for signs of active or ongoing leaks. We check the gas distribution system for house with gas service, including CSST.

We test for basic operation of most appliances, including dishwashers, disposals, ranges, cooktops, ovens, range hoods, microwaves, mechanical exhaust systems, garage door openers, dryer ducts and more.