INTERIOR
INTERIOR
The interior of a home or commercial property is the part that sees the most wear and tear from its residents or tenants. As such, the state of a property’s interior is often a good indicator of its overall state. While not necessarily deal-breakers, damaged windows, walls, floors, doors, and fixtures can lead to larger more costly issues.
The interior of a home or commercial property is the part that sees the most wear and tear from its residents or tenants. As such, the state of a property’s interior is often a good indicator of its overall state. While not necessarily deal-breakers, damaged windows, walls, floors, doors, and fixtures can lead to larger more costly issues.
During Your Inspection
The inspector will examine the following interior details and components.
During Your Inspection
The inspector will examine the following interior details and components.
INTERIOR OVERVIEW
The primary focus of an interior inspection of a home or commercial property is identifying an approximate number and the condition of the windows, doors (including garage doors), floors, and walls.
Windows
Windows contribute to the characteristics of a home and provide light and ventilation. For safety reasons and to conserve energy, it is important for windows to properly seal and to be fully functional.
Readily accessible windows are inspected during the exterior inspection. Windows on the second and third floors are not accessible and therefore are limited to the interior inspection. If accessible, the window is inspected from both sides. The inspector will focus on the locking mechanisms, condition, operation, and weather-stripping of the window, shutters, and awnings while checking for any physical or water damage.
Some of the more common window issues include:
Mechanical damage
Deteriorated caulk
Flashing defects
Fading or cracking paint
Damaged screens
Cracked glass
Putty or glazing problems
Broken or damaged seals
Wood rot
Water damage
Doors
Doors provide the access to and from the outside of a home, or between rooms inside the house. When closed, doors can secure entry with a lock, provide noise reduction, or prevent the spreading of fire. When open, doors allow for ventilation and light. There should be at least one egress door provided, regardless of the size of the house, to provide access to the living quarters, without the necessity of entering the garage.
Doors are inspected from both the exterior and interior sides. Additional examination is given to the egress door to ensure it can be readily opened from the inside (without a tool, code, key, or effort), and that the measurements of the door and landings meet the requirements. The inspector will focus on the locking mechanisms, condition, operation, and weather-stripping of the door, and sill slope.
As with windows, common door issues include:
Mechanical damage
Deteriorated caulk
Flashing defects
Paint Problems
Damaged screens
Cracked glass
Putty or glazing problems
Broken or damaged seals
Wood rot
Water damage
Walls
Even though some degree of movement is unavoidable in a house, noticeable cracks in the walls should not be ignored. It is possible that a structural component has failed, or alterations were made that could have weakened the structure, or added loading/stress was imposed. While examining the walls, the inspector will carefully note of any bowing walls, cracks, lack of visible support under load-bearing walls, bulging paneling, waves and bows, walls that are not plumb, and rusty nail heads.
The inspector will also carefully examine the following:
Unwanted daylight penetrating though windows, doors, and moldings
Windows and doors that stick or are difficult to operate
Big gaps at molding and trim joints
Frame rot
Evidence of moisture
Cracked glass
Mismatched lock sets
Door frames that are not plumb
Planed doors and doors cut after the home settled
Floors
Uneven floors are frequently caused by shifting or settling of the foundation beneath the floors. Changes in the foundation can cause wood floor beams and joists above crawl spaces to bend. It can also cause masonry foundations to crack and break.
During the inspection, the inspector will focus on:
Unlevel flooring
Cracked tiles
Sagging floor joists
Signs of wood-destroying organisms
Sub-floor or joist rot
Repaired joists
Evidence of missing joists
Cracked joists
Signs of deflection and bounce
Squeaking floors
Wood in contact with concrete
Poor joist-end bearing
Inappropriate notching in joists
Joist splits
Over-spanning
Joists too close to soil
Crowning
READY TO SCHEDULE?
We’ll give you a call and schedule the best time for you!
The Sterling Difference
With the Sterling Inspection Group, you have the leading inspection team on your side – flexible scheduling, competitive rates, and over $100,000 worth of warranty coverage FREE with every inspection. Our reports are thorough, detailed, and delivered to you within 24 hours of inspection.
Our team is dedicated to providing superior service and attention to detail that both first time home buyers as well as seasoned property investors can appreciate. Helping people for over 20 years in the home inspection industry, you can feel confident we have the experience to provide peace of mind!
The Sterling Difference
With the Sterling Inspection Group, you have the leading inspection team on your side – flexible scheduling, competitive rates, and over $100,000 worth of warranty coverage FREE with every inspection. Our reports are thorough, detailed, and delivered to you within 24 hours of inspection.
Our team is dedicated to providing superior service and attention to detail that both first time home buyers as well as seasoned property investors can appreciate. Helping people for over 20 years in the home inspection industry, you can feel confident we have the experience to provide peace of mind!
READY TO SCHEDULE?
We’ll give you a call and schedule the best time for you!