Rick Williams, owner        423-202-2059

Serving:  NE Tennessee,  SW Virginia.                  Licensed & Insured

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

The following Standards provide guidelines and outline what the Inspector should observe, identify, inspect, and describe. The guidelines provide the minimum contents of a written report and are not intended to limit the Inspector from performing additional inspection services.

SITE/GROUNDS

• Inspect and describe the ground cover and vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls on the property when any of these are likely to adversely affect the building.
• Inspect and describe walkways, patios (contiguous to the foundation), and driveways leading to dwelling entrances; identify conditions that are hazardous, or could adversely affect the dwelling.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Inspect property fences that do not adversely affect the building.
    • Evaluate the condition of shrubs, trees and other vegetation that do not adversely affect the building.

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM/FOUNDATION

• Inspect and describe the condition of the visible materials of foundation walls and framing. Report the methods used to inspect the under-floor crawl space, floor, wall, ceiling, roof, structure and report the methods used to inspect the attic.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Determine the adequacy of any structural system or component
    • Provide architectural or engineering recommendations.

EXTERIOR SYSTEMS

• Inspect the exterior wall covering, flashing, trim, all exterior doors, attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings, the eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from the ground level.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Inspect or report on free-standing decks or other structures that are not attached to the dwelling.
    • Report on the adequacy of storm windows or doors.

ROOF COMPONENTS

• Inspect the roof covering, the roof drainage systems (gutters/downspouts), the flashings, the skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations; and describe the roof covering and report the methods used to inspect the roof (e.g. from ground, with binoculars, from ladder, etc.). Identify and report the roof style and report areas that could not be inspected.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Walk on roof or perform any tasks that could be dangerous.
    • Certify that the roof is free of leaks.
    • Report on accessory items such as antennas or solar panels.
    • Determine or estimate the remaining life of roof covering.

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

• Describe in detail the interior water supply and distribution including all fixtures and faucets, drains, waste and vent systems including all fixtures, the water heating equipment, the vent systems, flues, and chimneys, the fuel storage and fuel distribution systems, the drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping, and the location of main water and main fuel shut-off valves.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Operate systems that have been shutdown or winterized.
    • Operate or test main shut-off valves.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

• Inspect the service drop, the service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways, the service equipment and main disconnects, the service grounding, the interior components of service panels and sub panels, the conductors, the over-current protection devices, installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles, the ground fault circuit interrupters.
• Describe the amperage and voltage rating of the service, the location of main disconnects and sub panels, the wiring methods; and report on the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring and on the absence of smoke detectors.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Inspect equipment that is not readily accessible, nor dismantle equipment or components.
    • Activate electrical systems or branch circuits that are not energized.
    • Test all switches, receptacles, or fixtures.
    • Move objects to gain access to electrical outlets or panels.
    • Operate overload protection devices except GFCI breakers.
    • Operate or test smoke detectors

HEATING SYSTEMS

• Inspect the installed heating equipment, the vent systems, flues, and chimneys; and describe the energy source, the heating method by its distinguishing characteristics.
• Report the type of fuel and the estimated or approximate age. Operate and report the condition of thermostats. Inspect and report the condition of a representative number of supply and return openings.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Operate a heating system when the operation could cause damage to the system.
    • Activate equipment that has been “shut-down” or will not respond to thermostat controls.
    • Examine equipment by any means other than the service panels provided by the manufacturer.
    • Report on the efficiency or adequacy of the system or distribution method.

COOLING SYSTEM

• Inspect the installed central and through-wall cooling equipment; and describe the energy source, the cooling method by its distinguishing characteristics.
• Report the equipment type, size and approximate age (if specified on the service tag). Operate the equipment (weather permitting) by normal control controls and report the condition.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Operate cooling equipment when the ambient temperature has been less than 65 Degrees F within the previous 24 hours.
    • Activate systems that have been “shut-down” or deactivated.
    • Report on the efficiency of the equipment.

INTERIOR SYSTEMS

• Inspect the walls, ceilings, and floors, the steps, stairways, and railings, the countertops, installed cabinets, doors, and windows. Describe and report the condition and any defects or deficiencies.
• Describe style, size and location of an attached garage. Operate garage doors and garage door operators and report any defects or deficiencies.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Move furniture or owners possessions.
    • Operate door openers that have been disconnected from a power source.

INSULATION AND VENTILATION

• Inspect the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces, the ventilation of attics and foundation areas, the mechanical ventilation systems; and describe the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces, the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned surfaces.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The inspector is not required to:
    • Enter crawl spaces with headroom less than two feet or where adverse conditions exist.
    • Enter attic spaces where the headroom is less than 3 feet.
    • Enter attic spaces where hazardous conditions exist.
    • Evaluate ventilation adequacy by any means other than visually.
    • Evaluate the efficiency of insulation other than by accepted thickness.
    • Operate sump pumps.

FIREPLACES AND SOLID BURNING APPLIANCES

• Inspect the system components, the vent systems, flues, and chimneys; and describe the fireplaces, solid fuel burning appliances, and the chimneys.
• LIMITATIONS:
  • The Inspector is not required to:
    • Light a fire in the fireplace or ignite a pilot light.
    • Inspect the interiors of flues, fire screens, doors, seals, and gaskets.
    • Determine combustion make-up air devices or draft characteristics.