Roofing


Roofing

Roofing

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Roof covering materials.
  • Accessories that do not make up part of the roofing such as lightning arrestor systems, antennae, solar heating systems, de-icing equipment.
  • Roof penetrations and flashings.
  • Predict the service life expectancy of the roof.
  • Chimneys
  • Inspect underground downspout diverter drainage pipes.
  • Skylights
  • Move or disturb insulation.
  • Roof drainage components including gutters and downspouts.
  • Perform a water test.
  • Observe and report evidence of water penetration.
  • Warrant or certify or guarantee the roof.
  • General structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs or hatch
  • Walk on roofing where in judgement of the inspector could be dangerous or cause damage.

Exterior


Exterior

Exterior

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Exterior wall covering/surfaces, eaves and trim.
  • Geological, hydrological and/or ground and soil conditions.
  • Doors, windows, and flashings.
  • Yard fencing
  • Garages and carports that are attached to the main building.
  • Seasonal accessories such as removable storm windows, Storm doors, screens and shutters.
  • All exterior doors, decks, stoops, steps, stairs, porches, railings, eaves, soffits and fascias.
  • Storage sheds and other structures not part of the building.
  • Balconies including stairs, guards and railings.
  • Any items or facilities not directly related to the building structure, such as swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, tennis courts, etc.
  • Observe and report impact of lot grading and vegetation.
  • Seawalls, break-walls and docks.
  • Retaining walls when these are likely to adversely affect the structure.
  • Playground equipment or recreation facilities
  • Walkways and driveways on the building.
  • Erosion control and earth stabilization measures.
  • Test the operation of power operated garage door openers, including the stop and automatic reverse functions.
  • Drain fields or dry-wells, septic systems or cesspools.
 
  • Water wells or springs.
 
  • Determine the integrity of the thermal window seals or damaged glass.
 
  • Verify or certify safe operation of any auto reverse or related safety function of a garage doors.

Structure


Structure

Structure

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Visible foundation walls.
  • Inspect areas that are not reasonably accessible or visible.
  • Floors, columns, walls, roofs, attics.
  • Enter any crawlspaces that are not readily accessible or where entry could cause damage or pose a hazard to the inspector.
  • Report any general indications of foundation movement observed by the inspector, such as but not limited to drywall cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames or floor slopes and concrete wall cracks.
  • Move stored items or debris.
  • Report on any cutting, notching and boring of framing members which may present a structural or safety concern.
  • Identify size, spacing, span, location or determine adequacy of foundation bolting, bracing, joists, joist spans or support systems.
  • Chimneys.
  • Provide any engineering or architectural service.
  • Wood in contact or near soil.
  • Report on the adequacy of any structural system or component.
  • Crawl spaces, basements.
 
  • Observe and report any evidence of water penetration and condensation.
 
  • Observe and report any evidence of deterioration from insects, rot, or fire.
 

Insulation and Ventilation


Insulation and Ventilation
Insulation and Ventilation
The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Insulation and vapour barriers in accessible attics, crawl spaces and unfinished basements.
  • Concealed insulation and vapour barrier systems.
  • Ventilation of attics and unheated crawl spaces.
  • Inspect areas that are not reasonably accessible or visible.
  • Report on the general absence or lack of insulation.
  • Move, touch, or disturb insulation or vapour barriers.
  • Operate exhaust fan ventilation systems.
  • Identify the composition or exact R-value of insulation material.
 
  • Determine the types of materials used in insulation or wrapping of pipes, ducts, jackets, boilers, and wiring.
 
  • Determine the adequacy of ventilation.

Plumbing


Plumbing

Plumbing

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Verify the presence of and identify the location of the main water shutoff valve.
  • Ignite or extinguish fires, pilot lights, change settings or conditions on equipment.
  • Water supply piping into house and within house, pipe supports and insulation.
  • Determine the exact flow rate, volume, pressure, temperature, or adequacy of the water supply.
  • Drain, waste, and vent piping, pipe supports and insulation.
  • Inspect interiors of flues or chimneys, water softening or filtering systems, well pumps, tanks, safety or shut-of valves, floor drains, lawn sprinkler systems or fire sprinkler systems.
  • Inspect the water heating equipment, including combustion air, venting, connections, energy sources, seismic bracing, and verify the presence or absence of temperature-pressure relief valves and/or Watts 210 valves.
  • Operate any valves other than those used on a regular or daily basis.
  • Inspect the drainage sump pumps and test pumps with accessible floats.
  • Determine the water quality or potability or the reliability of the water supply or source.
  • Presence of cross-connections that could contaminate the potable water.
  • Foundation drainage system and yard piping.
  • Water volume and pressure should be tested by opening the faucets to obtain a reasonable flow of one or more fixtures simultaneously, and at various locations in the house.
  • Inspect clothes washing machines or their connections.
  • Water drainage should be tested by draining one or more fixtures simultaneously, and at various locations in the house.
  • Test shower pans, tub and shower surrounds or enclosures for leakage.
  • Test the water supply by operating valves and faucets.
  • Evaluate the compliance with local conservation or energy standards, or the proper design or sizing of any water, waste or venting components, fixtures or piping.
  • Observe and report any leaks in the piping systems.
  • Determine the effectiveness of anti-siphon, back-flow prevention or drain-stop devices.
  • Determine if the water supply is public or private.
  • Determine whether there are sufficient clean-outs for effective cleaning of drains.
  • Inspect and report as in need of repair toilets that have cracks in the ceramic material, are improperly mounted on the floor, leak, or have inoperable tank components.
  • Evaluate gas, liquid propane or oil storage tanks.
  • Determine the presence and location of accessible clean-outs for the drain/waste/vent piping.
  • Inspect any private sewage waste disposal or septic system or component there of.
 
  • Inspect water treatment systems or water filters.
 
  • Inspect water storage tanks, pressure pumps or bladder tanks.
 
  • Evaluate wait time to obtain hot water at fixtures, or perform testing of any kind to water heater elements.
 
  • Test, operate, open or close safety controls, manual stop valves and/or temperature or pressure relief valves.
 
  • Determine the existence or condition of polybutylene plumbing.
 
  • Dismantle, remove, adjust or perform any function on any plumbing equipment that would require a qualified tradesperson to perform.

Electrical


Electrical

Electrical

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Service entrance cable and location and integrity of the insulation, drip loop, or separation of conductors at weatherheads and clearances from grade or rooftops.
  • Insert any tool, probe or device into the main panel board sub-panels, distribution panel boards, or electrical fixtures.
  • Main service panel, auxiliary panels and location.
  • Secondary wiring systems such as low voltage wiring, telephone wiring, cable television wiring, etc.
  • The means for disconnecting the service main.
  • Any components not related to the primary electrical systems such as security systems, swimming pool wiring and time-control devices.
  • Panel ovecurrent protection and system grounding.
  • Inspect private or emergency electrical supply sources, including but not limited to generators, windmills, solar panels, or battery or electrical storage facilities.
  • Branch circuit wiring and related over current protection.
  • Provide or remove power for equipment.
  • Report on any unused circuit breaker panel openings that are not filled.
  • Inspect or test de-icing equipment.
  • Amperage and voltage ratings of the main service panel.
  • Conduct voltage drop calculations.
  • A representative number of switches, receptacles, lighting fixtures, AFCI receptacles.
  • Determine the accuracy of circuit labeling.
  • Test all Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles and GFCI circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCI's during the inspection using a GFCI tester.
  • Verify the service ground.
  • Outlets noted above are to be checked for polarity and grounding.
  • Test the operation of smoke detectors
  • All exterior outlets and those within 1 metre of plumbing fixtures will be checked for polarity, grounding and ground fault circuit protection.
  • Dismantle, remove, adjust or perform any task on any electrical equipment that would require a qualified trades person to perform.
  • Report the absence of smoke detectors.
  • Insert or remove fuses, or operate circuit breakers.
  • Report the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring if readily visible.
 

Heating and Cooling


Heating and Cooling

Heating and Cooling

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • The heating systems using normal operating controls and describe the energy source and heating method.
  • Inspect or evaluate interiors of flues or chimneys, fire chambers, heat exchangers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, electronic air filters, solar heating systems or fuel tanks.
  • Furnace and distribution system, including fans, ducts, dampers, supports, filters, insulation, registers and humidifiers.
  • Determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, adequacy, BTU, or supply adequacy of the heating system.
  • Boilers and distribution system including pumps, piping, valves,  supports, insulation, radiators and convectors.
  • Any portable heating/cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying or air cleaning equipment.
  • Flue piping, vents, and chimneys.
  • Activate any HVAC systems when ambient temperatures or when other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment.
  • Heat recovery ventilator.
  • Evaluate fuel quality.
  • Interior fuel storage equipment supply piping, venting, supports, and evidence of leakage.
  • Verify thermostat calibration, heat anticipation or automatic setbacks, timers, programs or clocks.
  • Cooling equipment and distribution system including fans, ducts, dampers, supports, filters, insulation, registers and piping.
  • Examine electrical current, coolant fluids or gases, or coolant leakage.
  • The presence of manufacturer's build-in safety controls.
  • Dismantle, remove, adjust or perform any function on any heating or cooling equipment that would require a qualified tradesperson to perform.
  • The presence of a heat source in each room.
  • Light or ignite pilot flames.
  • Test system using the thermostat or other similar standard operating controls.
  •  Change settings or conditions on equipment.
  • Readily accessible and removable panel covers designed for homeowner access may be removed for inspection purposes.
 

Interior


Interior

Interior

The Inspector is required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein. The Inspector is not required to: Observe and report on the systems and components herein.
  • Floors, walls, ceilings and trim.
  • Treatments such as paint, wallpaper, carpeting, blinds, drapes, and other similar treatments.
  • Fire separating walls and party walls.
  • Kitchen, bathroom, and laundry appliances.
  • Stairs, guards and railings.
  • Observe fireplace insert installation.
  • Observe condition of permanently installed counters and cabinets.
  • Any items or facilities not directly related to the interior systems and components such as swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, ponds and water falls.
  • Observe and report on any evidence of water penetration and condensation.
  • Move furniture, stored items, or any coverings like carpets or rugs in order to inspect the concealed floor structure.
  • The presence of smoke detectors.
  • Move drop / suspended ceiling tiles.
  • Randomly select and operate where reasonably accessible a representative number of doors and windows.
  • Operate or examine any sauna, steam-jenny, kiln, toaster, plug-in kitchen appliances, or other ancillary devices.
 
  • Inspect elevators, remote controls, appliances, or any items not permanently installed.
 
  • Examine or operate any above-ground, movable, freestanding, or non-permanently installed pool/spa, recreational equipment or self-contained equipmen