The basement, attic and the exterior are the most important aspects of the home inspection. Here we will describe what a comprehensive basement inspection looks like.
The first thing that a comprehensive NJ home inspector will look at in the basement is the basement steps. This is the first system that we encounter entering the basement. The basement set of steps should be secure, stable and have the correct handrails and guardrails. Having a properly constructed set of basement steps is crucial for occupant safety. So, the home inspector will devote some time to making sure that the set of steps is safe. The home inspector will describe deficiencies and make recommendations for improvement. Another of the aspects that home inspectors will also look for is proper lighting for the basement steps. Basement steps should be properly illuminated so that there is adequate lighting for the occupants of the home to visually see the steps and stairwell so they can avoid tripping injuries.
Once the basement steps are inspected the home inspector is likely to walk around the basement so he or she can get a basic overview of its layout and what systems are present. With this lay of the land walk around the home inspector will decide where they are going to start the inspection of the basement. The home inspector is likely to begin the inspection with the heating unit. The first thing that the home inspector is likely to do is to examine the heating unit data plate to determine if the heating unit is older or newer. Part of a complete home inspection is that the home inspector will attempt to tell you how old the equipment is in the home. Each piece of equipment will have its own life expectancy or useful life. It is very helpful for home inspectors to provide a buyer with the rough age of the equipment so the buyer understands if the piece of equipment will be close to or past its life expectancy. The heating unit in a home can be either a gas-fired unit, an electric unit, or an oil-fired unit. The home inspector will start examining the unit and the duct work or the piping. The home inspector will also call for heat using the thermostat or possibly multiple thermostats if the home has more than one heating zone. Some homes will have multiple zones of either circulating hot water heating or forced air heating. The home inspector will also examine the unit while it is operating to determine if it sounds correct and if the burners are operating as intended. The home inspector may leave the heat so that later in the home inspection process he will be able to check the distribution system such as the radiators or registers in the home.
The water heater inspection is likely to be next. The New Jersey home inspector will describe the size of the water heater and make sure that it is properly sized for the home. The home inspector will also visually inspect the exterior of the water heater unit and make sure that it has a pressure relief valve and discharge pipe that are correctly sized. The home inspector will also operate hot water in the home and determine if there is adequate hot water from the fixtures and to make sure that the water heater burner is operating properly and that the flame looks as it should.
Next the home inspector is likely to inspect the main water valve and cut off to determine if they are properly installed. Part of a New Jersey home inspection is for home inspector to describe the type and materials of the main water line into the home. This is typically a copper line but there are older water supply lines that still exist that are made from galvanized steel and lead. The home inspector will show the client the location of the main water cutoff valve and describe its operation so that the client in the event of an emergency in the home can turn off water to the entire house. The home inspector may also recommend that the main water supply valve get replaced if it is an older valve for reliability reasons. The home inspector at this point is likely to inspect or describe any other systems that are present such as water softening equipment, water filtering equipment, and well tank equipment as well as any pressure pumps in the basement.
The next thing home inspector is likely to look at in the basement are the foundation walls. This is a crucial step in the home inspection process because it is here that the home inspector is examining the walls for any structural cracking or problems. Some of the problems that a home inspector will be looking for are vertical cracks, horizontal cracks, sheer cracks, and any displacement or movement of the foundation wall. Home inspectors will also be looking for any type of water penetration evidence through the foundation walls such as water stains or efflorescence which are mineral deposits and an indication of water seepage through the walls. The home inspector will also be looking for any type of mold-like substances on the foundation walls as well. The foundation wall portion of the home inspection is a crucial aspect and one that should be taken very seriously and carefully done by the home inspector.
The next step in the basement home inspection process is for the home inspector to examine the support structure such as the beam and beam support. Here we are talking about the support beams that hold up the floor structure and deliver structural loads to footings. The home inspector will be inspecting the beam for any types of damage, holes, or notches. Sometimes contractors cause damage to a beam to accommodate piping or ductwork. The home inspector will be inspecting for any type of beam movement or sagging. The columns and footings will also be inspected to determine if they are the right type and if they are installed correctly with the proper footings and foundation. This is an important part of the basement inspection.
The home inspector is likely to move next to the floor support system and inspect the floor joists. The floor joists and their connection to the sill plate and beam are crucially important to produce stable and level floors in the home. Some of the problems that a home inspector will look at on the joists are cracking and altered joists. The joists are a major structural component of the floor structure, and they should be intact and in good condition and secured properly to the beam and sill plate. Sometimes the floor joists’ connection to the beam is not adequate and a notching technique is used especially in older homes. This notching technique tends to cause cracking around the notch because most of the bearing capacity of the floor joists has been altered and removed. This is an important aspect to call out during a home inspection if this type of problem exists.
The home inspector will also be looking hard for any type of evidence of water infiltration not only through the foundation walls but at the base of columns and the basement floor as well. The basement will tell a story to a seasoned and experienced home inspector and the home inspector is likely to determine if the home has had past water infiltration problems. Any type of staining on the bottom of the basement walls, at the bottom of doors, on the basement floor, and any basement interior finishes should be reported on. Basement water problems are high on the list of client’s main issues or concerns. The thorough home inspector will also put this on his list of top priority items to inspect for when they are working with a client.
If the basement is equipped with a perimeter drain and sump pump or just the sump pump the home inspector will test and operate the sump pump if it is safe to do so and determine if the sump pump discharge piping on the exterior of the home carries the water far enough away from the exterior structure. The home inspector is likely to advise the client to purchase a means of sump pump backup such as a generator, battery backup or waterflow backup system so that the sump pump will operate even during times of power failure. It is at these times of power failure where a client will need the sump pump the most.
The home inspector will also inspect issues with the basement floor slab. Some of the issues that are sometimes encountered are significant cracking, water infiltration and settlement of the basement slab. If the basement floor is covered with carpeting the home inspector may choose to pull back a couple areas of carpeting at the corners of the basement to determine if any type of flooring material which contains asbestos may exist under it and to determine if there any water infiltration problem visible under the carpeting such as water staining, odors, or mold.
The home inspector will inspect if the home is equipped with any sewage ejectors or sink pumps. A sewage ejector or sink pump is a pump similar to that of the sump pump that’s purpose is to pump water to the level of the sewer line. If there is a low plumbing fixture in the basement that sits lower than the sewer line a pump system is necessary to deliver wastewater and debris to that waste line level. The home inspector will run water so that the sewage pump or sink pump operates. They will also recommend that a water alarm be installed on the system so that occupants are alerted to any malfunctions quickly.
The home inspector will then inspect the laundry equipment if the home has a basement laundry room. Both the washer and dryer and the sink if present are tested for adequate functional waterflow. The plumbing is also inspected as well as the waste piping, standpipe, and laundry supply valve. The dryer vent, which is also very important is inspected to make sure that it is the right type of materials, and that the dryer does vent to the exterior of the home as required.
The home inspector will then inspect the electrical panel box and electrical wiring in the basement. In New Jersey, home inspectors are required to remove the cover of the electrical panel box and inspect the interior of the panel box, breakers, and electrical wiring. The branch electrical wire will also be inspected in the basement. Some defects that home inspectors will look for are wiring that is in poor condition, damaged, or improperly installed. Home inspectors will also look for knob and tube wiring, aluminum wiring, and older cloth wiring which can be a significant fire safety hazard. The home inspector will thoroughly inspect the interior of the electrical panel box breakers and associated wiring as well as test any electrical receptacles that are located inside the basement.
At this point the inspector is likely to conduct the wood destroying insect inspection portion of the home inspection. A good inspector will be licensed to provide the client with a wood destroying insect inspection. Typically, attorneys and mortgage lenders will require a termite or wood destroying insect inspection. The home inspector will probe the sill plate, box plate, floor joist and beam looking for any compromised or termite damaged wood. The home inspector will also inspect the bottom of the wood walls if the basement is finished as well as any wood in direct contact with the basement floor. Any drywall in the finished basement is also inspected. The home inspector will also be visually look for any termite mud tubes which are an indication of a termite problem. The home inspector will also inspect for frass which is wood shavings produced by Carpenter ant activity. In New Jersey any wood destroying insect activity or treatments usually fall on the seller of the home. Doing a thorough wood destroying insect inspection is part of providing a comprehensive home inspection for clients.
The home inspector is likely to leave the radon test canisters in the basement. Many clients buying homes in New Jersey will request radon testing be performed because there are areas of high levels of radon in the state. Radon is a house-to-house issue so it is very important for a buyer to test for radon gas levels so that remediation can take place if the levels are higher than the EPA established action level. The radon test will stay in the home between two and six days.
That is the overview of a basement inspection. Of course, each basement and each home vary, and no home will be similar. Most homes have these described components, and you now have an idea of what a comprehensive basement inspection would consist of. This basement inspection portion of the home inspection is likely to take about an hour or more for the standard three-bedroom two bath home. So, if the home inspection is three or four hours you can see that basement portion of this inspection is significant on a time value. Make sure that your home inspector evaluates all of the systems and components in the basement of the home and also conducts a wood destroying insect inspection so that you as a buyer have the most protection and you fully understand the issues if any that are present in the home that you are buying so that you can make educated and good decisions for you and your family. You must make sure that the basement portion of the home inspection is not neglected.