Cornerstone Home Inspections

Resources

These resources explain what to expect from a home inspection, how the process usually works, and where to find the standards and consumer notices that apply to Oregon home inspections.

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What a Home Inspection Is — and Is Not

A general home inspection is a visual, non-invasive inspection of readily accessible systems and components. It is not technically exhaustive, does not involve destructive testing, and does not guarantee that every defect will be discovered.

The goal is to help you better understand the visible condition of the home, identify significant defects or safety concerns, and know which items may need repair, monitoring, maintenance, or further evaluation by a qualified specialist.

What to Expect During a Home Inspection

Documentation and Photos

I take many pictures during an inspection and may use body-camera video as part of my inspection notes and documentation. Relevant photos are included in the report, but I try not to overwhelm you with unnecessary or unhelpful information.

Arrival and Initial Safety Check

My process is to arrive on time or early, introduce myself, and then usually begin with the electrical panel. If everything appears safe, I will remove the cover and thoroughly inspect the panel’s interior. At the electrical panel, I am primarily looking for issues that could lead to electrocution, overheating, or fire.

Water Heater and HVAC

Next, I usually check the water heater. I am mostly looking for water leaks and ways to minimize damage to the home if the water heater fails. If it is gas powered, I also look for safety alarms, correct venting, and signs of possible combustion gas problems.

I then check the central HVAC system. I inspect the filter and look for signs of corrosion, failure, gas leaks, improper venting, or other visible concerns.

Why not check the roof and exterior first? Sometimes I do, but I often save the exterior for later to avoid tracking dirt into the home.

Kitchen, Bathrooms, and Interior Rooms

I usually check the kitchen next because the dishwasher often needs to run for a while. We'll inspect the major appliances, the sink plumbing, electrical outlets, the windows, and ventilation. After the kitchen, I check the heating registers to see whether they are producing heat, and then I turn on the air conditioning when conditions allow.

I then inspect bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and other interior spaces. As I go through each room, I look for anything that could be a safety hazard or might indicate damage to the home.

Common safety hazards include miswired or missing GFCI protection, missing or improper smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and unsafe stairs, guards, or railings. These issues can be especially important for children, elderly occupants, and anyone with limited mobility.

I am also looking at the operation of doors and windows. Problems with these can sometimes indicate settling, movement, moisture damage, or other concerns.

Moisture Intrusion and Hidden Damage Indicators

The most common source of damage is simply water or moisture intrusion. This can come from a leaky pipe in a wall or under a sink, poor ventilation, moisture entering through a crawlspace or basement, or rainwater leaking through the roof, attic, windows, doors, siding, flashing, or exterior penetrations. Leaks and moisture problems sometimes are hidden and might go undetected for some time.

Excess moisture can directly damage drywall, framing, insulation, flooring, and similar materials. It can also create an environment for destructive mold, rot, and wood-destroying organisms such as ants and termites. A general residential inspection is not a mold inspection or WDO inspection, but visible evidence of these conditions will be noted if observed.

Fireplace or Woodstove

Some homes have a fireplace or woodstove, and these have special requirements. I'll check for cracks or other failures, operation of the flue, distance to combustibles, smoke/CO alarms, and similar.

Garage

If there is a garage, I check the slope and condition of the floor, look for moisture problems, inspect accessible outlets, check for smoke/CO alarms, and evaluate visible safety concerns related to the garage door and opener.

Attic and Crawlspace

Once the common living areas have been inspected, I check whether the dishwasher finished properly. Then it is time to inspect areas that may require getting a little dirty.

In the attic, I am looking for a consistent and healthy level of insulation, proper ventilation, signs of leaks or moisture, and confirmation that bathroom, kitchen, or dryer vents do not terminate in the attic.

If the home has a crawlspace, I look for a proper moisture barrier, wood that is too close to soil, signs of rot or moisture intrusion, structural concerns, pest evidence, and other visible defects.

Roof, Exterior, and Lot

Finally, I inspect the roof, exterior, and lot. On the roof, I inspect the main roofing material, roof penetrations, flashing, visible drainage concerns, and signs that the roof covering may not be functioning as intended.

Flashing problems are common around roofs, windows, doors, and exterior penetrations. Gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems also frequently need attention because they play a major role in keeping water away from the home.

On the exterior, I inspect the siding, foundation, windows, main entrance and exit doors, attached decks, walkways, steps, driveways, and similar visible components.

On the lot, I primarily look at grading and drainage: whether the soil and paved surfaces appear to direct water away from the structure or toward it.

After the Inspection

You are welcome to join me during the safe parts of the inspection. When the inspection is complete, we will discuss the main issues, and I will provide an electronic report noting the condition of the major systems and components, along with items that may need repair, monitoring, maintenance, or further evaluation.

If you wish, I can help point you toward electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, or contractors who may be able to assist with needed repairs or further evaluation.

If it is your home, or if you are buying the home, I can also provide a helpful home maintenance manual. With good maintenance, a well-built home can last for many decades, and sometimes more than a century.

How Long Does the Inspection Take?

Most general residential inspections take two to four hours. The exact time depends on the size, age, condition, and accessibility of the home. It then usually takes additional time to prepare and deliver the report.