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Exterior Home Inspection Checklist When you are buying or selling your property, its a good idea to have a home inspection. Here is a checklist that will help you cover all your bases. beginning with the outside areas of the home. Landscaping: Landscaping is an important part of the curb appeal of any property. It also can be an expensive and time consuming part of the upkeep of the property. Consider: Trees: Are they close to the house_____ Roots too close to plumbing_____ Branches too close to roof line_____ Old or leaning trees nearby_____ Plants: High maintenance plants/bushes_____ High water use necessary_____ Use of indigenous plants_____ Planting too close to exterior walls trapping water_____ Ivy growing on exterior walls_____ Grading: Soil piled up against exterior walls causing pest damage_____ Grade slopping towards house trapping water_____ Swimming Pool: Cleaning and filtering system work_____ Thermostat accurate_____ Check for leaks or cracks_____ Roofing: The cost of a new roof is expensive and a good inspection will save you money. If the roof looks old or if there are more than two layers, then pay special attention to old leaks and bulges in the interio and exterior walls Material_____ Age of the roof_____ Shingles need replacing_____ Tar paper exposed to sun_____ Gutters clean_____ sagging_____ Roof line sagging_____any bulges_____ Number of layers of roof_____ Chimney properly sealed to the roof_____ Any sagging_____Bracing_____ Propane Tanks: Age_____ Size_____ Indication of leaks nearby_____ Is the area marked for safety_____ Sewer: Location of the line known_____ Any indication of leaks_____ Good water pressure in the bathroom_____ Building Exterior: Age of last paint job_____ Crackling_____Peeling_____ Exposed wood_____ Dry or rotting wood trim_____ Stucco: Stucco develops hairline cracks and then begins to open up, allowing moisture into the framing of the house Hairline cracks_____ Open or damaged stucco exposed_____ recent patches_____ Shingles: Shingles provide good protection but do have a shelf life Age of shingles_____ Cracked shingles_____ Missing shingles_____ Doors and Windows: Pay special attention to the trim areas and the framing for dry or rotting wood. This can indicate much more damage to the structure. Doors: Are they secure_____ Door frame showing signs of dry rot_____ Door fits flush_____ Door at an angle and settling_____ Windows: Are they secure_____ Window frame showing signs of dry rot_____ Windows fits flush_____ Windows at an angle and settling_____ Screens_____ Sticking_____ Foundation: Mud sill securely fastened_____ House securely bolted to foundation_____ Cracks or breaks_____ Any misalignment or settling_____ Soil contacting framing_____ Brick: Age_____ Missing Bricks_____ Soft or crumbling bricks_____ Cement: Age_____ Soft or crumbling cement_____ Fences: All posts counted for_____ Sagging_____ Rotting_____ Garage: Roof(see above list)_____ Exterior(see above list)_____ Firewall between the house and the garage_____ Pooling of oil or other fire hazards_____ Garage door working_____ Check electrical components of the door for age and wear_____ Driveway: All the questions regarding framing and roof apply Age_____ Driveway buckling_____ Potholes_____ Driveway graded not to pool water_____ Well lit_____ Blind spots into traffic_____ REsourced from www.yourpropertypath.com You may republish this article, as long as you do not edit and you agree to preserve all links to the author and www.yourpropertypath.com
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