Home Inspection Maintenance Checklist

Owning your own home is what everyone aspires to but with it comes the responsibility of maintaining it in peak condition to minimize problems and ensure that if you ever need to sell it will be ready for any home inspection. Cost plays a factor in the reason that people put of doing needed repairs or replacement of existing items. Sometimes putting things off can result in higher costs when a pipe bursts or leaks that start out small expand and get out of control.

Doing a periodic maintenance check on your home can reduce costs and eliminate some headaches later. It is a good idea to keep a checklist that can be a regular household chore to ensure that you are aware of any problems that might be small now, but could cause major damage if you don’t take immediate action.

Following are some areas that can readily be checked and help you with maintaining your home in optimum condition:

Exterior Foundation / Masonry

ü Check foundation and attic vent screens for damage

ü Check all decks, patios, patio covers, porches, stairways and railings for deterioration or looseness

ü Check wood siding on houses, windows or doors for weathering or need for paint

ü Check your basement or crawl space (if applicable) for leakage

ü Check chimneys (if any) for loose or deteriorated mortar

ü Check foundation walls, floors, concrete and masonry for cracking, bulging or deterioration

ü Check grading of slope away from foundation walls

ü Cut back and trim plants, shrubs or any vegetation from structures

ü Check garage (if applicable) for any leakage from outside or from washer/dryer area

Roofs

ü Check for open seams, blisters or bald areas on flat roofs

ü Check for any missing, loose or damaged shingles or tiles

ü Clean gutters, downspouts and drains for blockage

ü Check attics for water penetration or damage

ü Check antenna (if applicable) for possible leaks

ü Check flashings, soffits and fascia for damage or deterioration

ü Trim back any trees or vegetation that extends onto roof

doors and windows

ü Check caulking for deterioration or missing areas

ü Check weather-stripping to ensure that the heat stays inside the house

ü Check for damaged or missing screens and that all hardware works properly

Plumbing

ü Check water heater for leaks or corrosion

ü Check faucets, hose bibs and supply valves, under sinks, showers, toilets and bath tubs for leakage

ü Have septic tank cleaned every two years (if applicable)

ü Have well water checked for safety (if applicable)

ü Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky or non-working valves (if applicable)

ü Know the location of the main water shut-off valve in case of emergency

heating and cooling

ü Clean or change furnace filters every three (3) months

ü Lubricate fan and motor bearings and check fan belt tension

ü Keep area clean around heating and cooling appliances

ü Have system serviced/inspected annually

Electrical

ü Check for exposed wiring and cable for damage or wear

ü Trip circuit breakers every six (6) months and ground fault interrupters monthly to ensure proper function

ü Label each electrical service panel

ü Check all lamp cords, extension cords and plugs for damage or wear and replace if needed

ü If fuses blow, circuit breakers trip frequently or any appliance sparks or shorts out, a licensed electrician should be called for repairs

Interior

ü Check ceilings, windows and doors for leakage or water damage

ü Check tile joints for adequate grout and repair if necessary

ü Check caulking in showers, bath tubs, sinks and toilet to ensure there is no leakage

ü Test smoke alarms periodically

ü Know the location of all gas shut off valves

ü Check stairs for loose railings or steps

If you maintain your home with periodic checkups as listed above, when you decide to sell your home, you will have fewer problems that will result in fewer repairs required. It is important to know where the electrical panel is and that they are properly labeled so that they can be easily identified if there is a problem. You should also know where your main water valve turnoff is located and the gas shut off valves so that you can easily respond in an emergency situation.

If you are thorough with your regular home inspection maintenance, then you will be prepared when the home inspector comes when selling your home. The inspector will follow these same steps, along with checking on the condition of your carpeting, flooring, kitchen appliances, or air conditioning, heating, electrical and plumbing. He will look at the inside and outside thoroughly and assess if anything on this checklist is not in serviceable condition or working order. If anything needs to be replaced or repaired before your house will pass inspection then you will be responsible for ensuring that all is accomplished before your house is sold. These tasks could be simple as replacing a shower head or non-working sprinkler, but it could be much more costly than that if something major is identified such as the air conditioner or garage door needing to be replaced.

If you are prepared for the home inspector, then there will be few surprises. It is important to be honest about any deficiencies that your home might have and avoid any misunderstandings later. With your regular maintenance checkups, your home should be in good shape for selling and you will be pleased that your hard work and efforts have paid off and you can pass your home inspection with flying colors!

Now you are prepared to move on and it will also alert you on what to look for when you are purchasing your next home. Look under the surfaces and don’t just take everything at face value. Ask questions and ensure that you know what you are buying and what problems if any there have been with the home. You can then begin your regular task again of a periodic home maintenance checklist that will keep your new home in tiptop shape.

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