Shocking Things a Home Inspector Won't Look At

When you have a home inspection done, there are several items that either won’t be looked at closely or won’t be examined at all. Some of the features on this list may shock you.

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When people think about the process of a home inspection, they often assume that absolutely everything will be examined and uncovered. However, this isn’t actually the case. There are certain things a home inspector won’t, or can’t, do.

Today, I’d like to go over some of the most shocking things that home inspectors don’t look at.

First of all, if you are concerned about mold, radon, or asbestos, you must be aware that these are separate reports. These inspections are not included in a general home inspection, but can be added onto one at your request.

The reason these inspections aren’t included to begin with is that they must be performed by specialists and will require some lab work.

But, these aren’t the only things a home inspector won’t be looking at. Inspectors will also skip over certain electrical outlets, like those that are hidden behind heavy furniture. Any obscured electrical outlets will not be checked out.

Surprisingly, the roof is another item that won’t be looked over in a lot of detail. Some inspectors will use a drone to look at the roof. Whether they do or not, they aren’t going to be able to notice every little feature.

If you are concerned about a roof, you can hire a roof inspector to perform that additional service for you. A roof inspector will walk on the roof and examine it in great detail.

Two more items that inspectors will glance at, but not give a full examination, are the fireplace and chimney. The same will go for heating and air units.

While these sort of things will be looked over, it’s a good idea to have an additional inspection performed by someone who is a professional regarding these specific features.

Also, while it may sound a little silly, remember that an inspector isn’t going to look at the ground beneath your home. This may not seem important, but the placement of your home could actually have a big impact on how susceptible it may be to flooding.

Most inspectors also won’t check swimming pools. This is another inspection that can be handled separately.

And speaking of features in the ground, the last thing I want to mention is the septic or sewer system. Inspectors will make sure that everything is working, but they won’t flush it out or send down a camera. Again, this feature can be further examined with an additional inspection.

Your home inspector can’t see every last thing.

The bottom line is this: Your home inspector can’t see every last thing. If you have concerns about any of the specific items I mentioned today, you should have additional inspections performed by specialized professionals.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.