The Top 10 Things We Check on Every Thorough Home Inspection (Things Other Inspectors Might Miss)

As a professional home inspector, I’ve seen thousands homes across Florida, and each one get an incredibly thorough and detailed home inspection. I pride myself on our company setting a higher standard for the industry and including (and offering as add-ons) many services others can’t. I’ve learned that a true understanding of a property goes far beyond a minimum standards quick glance. My commitment for every inspection is to deliver an inspection that truly digs deep, driven by a detailed understanding and knowledge basis to give you the clearest picture possible of your prospective home. This isn’t just about meeting Florida’s licensing standards; it’s about exceeding them, uncovering those subtle, often-missed issues that can turn into major headaches down the road.

We believe an inspection should be more than a checklist; it should be an education. It’s about empowering you with the insights you need to make one of life’s biggest decisions with confidence. Here’s how we consistently go above and beyond, revealing critical concerns that often go unnoticed by others:

Why Your Irrigation System Needs a Thorough Checkup

You might think an irrigation system inspection is just about making sure the sprinklers turn on, but we know better. While many inspectors either skip this entirely or charge you extra, we include a detailed evaluation of your property’s irrigation as part of our standard service. We walk the entire system, checking each sprinkler head for proper function, looking for missing components that cause excessive water flow, and observing spray patterns to ensure even coverage. Occasionally, we come across a head that’s broken off underground and pooling water. Our goal is to uncover hidden inefficiencies or potential future failures that could lead to wasted water, dry spots in your lawn, or costly repairs. It’s about ensuring your landscape investment is protected and your water bill isn’t unnecessarily inflated.

How We Check Your Well for More than Just Water Flow

For homes that rely on a private well for their water supply, the well system is the heart of the home’s plumbing. Unlike many companies that treat well inspections as an optional, often expensive, add-on, we integrates a thorough examination of your well system components into our standard home inspection because without it, your plumbing system won’t work. We diligently inspect the well pump (when above ground), pressure tank, pressure switch, pipes, and all associated electrical and mechanical components. We’re looking for critical issues like a non-functional pressure gauge which prevents you from accurately monitoring your system’s pressure, or worn contacts on a pressure switch that could lead to incorrect shut off/on. Knowing the true condition of your well system upfront is invaluable for your peace of mind.

What Foundation Cracking Really Tells Us

When it comes to a home’s foundation, what you don’t see can be the most critical. Any inspector can point out a large, visible crack, but true foundation issues often reveal themselves through a collection of subtle clues that require an experienced eye to interpret. My background of over 15 years in geotechnical engineering has taught me the signs and symptoms of foundation issues. We look for patterns like horizontal, vertical, and V cracking in brick or block, which can indicate different ongoing structural, foundation, or soil issues. Inside, we carefully observe whether multiple doors and windows consistently stick or bind, or if there are noticeable slopes in floors and separations where cabinets pull away from walls. When these seemingly minor observations appear together, they paint a clear picture of underlying foundation movement that demands serious attention, often signifying a much larger problem than simple settling.

Why We Get Dirty to Get A View of Your Sewer Lines

The main sewer line is arguably the most critical, yet most overlooked, part of your home’s plumbing. Because it’s buried underground, issues here are usually invisible until they cause a catastrophic, messy backup. While our standard plumbing inspection thoroughly tests fixtures and drains, we’re trained to also visually assess plumbing drain problems using sewer camera inside your drainage lines. Accessing the system either from the ground cleanout or the roof vents, we can visually inspect the system and find sags in the lines that accumulate debris, see locations where pipes have separated and could cause a slab leak, and even find areas where tree roots have shifted, broken, or penetrated the pipes. We’ll run our cameras all the way to you septic tank (if you have one) to see if there’s any issues with the connection point as well. For ultimate peace of mind, we offer this service as an optional add-on and we always recommend it for every home, new and existing.

How We Diagnose the Heart of Your HVAC System’s Performance

Your home’s heating and cooling system is one of your home’s major investments, and its performance is about more than just turning on. Many inspectors simply verify that the HVAC unit cycles, but we take a far more diagnostic approach. We employ professional-grade tools to take direct temperature readings of your refrigerant lines, providing crucial data on your system’s charge and efficiency. We also precisely measure air temperatures at both the inlet and outlet of your air handler, checking for proper temperature differential. We even go as far as measuring refrigerant temperatures across filter driers to detect restrictions or blockages. This process allows us to uncover less obvious performance issues, such as low refrigerant levels or restricted airflow, which lead to inefficient operation, higher energy bills, and could indicate the early stages of a system breakdown that a casual inspection would completely miss.

Why Your Roof Trusses Require More Than a Visual Inspection

The roof over your head isn’t just about shingles; it’s about the intricate network of trusses supporting it. This structural backbone is vital, and we don’t just glance at it. We examine truss spacing, looking for deviations from engineered plans (when available), and, critically, we scrutinize for any unauthorized or improper modifications. People sometimes cut or alter trusses for renovations without realizing they’re compromising the entire roof’s load-bearing capacity and structural stability. We don’t stop at the attic entrance, we crawl the entire accessible attic space to get a thorough, clear view. This attention to detail is especially crucial in new construction, where we have access to and review building plans to ensure that original design requirements for truss attachment and modifications were rigorously followed, preventing future structural nightmares that could stem from shortcuts.

What a Swimming Pool Inspection Entails

For many Florida homeowners, a swimming pool is a requirement. But, it’s also an expensive system that demands expert attention. Unlike typical general inspections that might give the pool a cursory look or exclude them entirely, we offer an unparalleled, in-depth swimming pool inspection as an add-on service, complete with its own detailed report. When we designed out swimming pool inspections we compared our services to those of pool service companies and made sure ours when further. We don’t just systematically open and inspect all accessible filtration and pump equipment, assessing their condition, functionality, and proper installation, we also thoroughly review the electrical connections, including bonding and grounding, and check all safety barrier systems to ensure compliance with current regulations. We even go a step further by conducting water chemistry testing to help diagnose issues like a failed salt generator, even when there appears to be adequate salt in the water. Our goal is to give you a complete, detailed picture of your pool’s health and operational needs.

How We Find Leaks You Can’t Visually See

The most insidious plumbing leaks are often hidden behind your walls, silently causing damage, mold, and structural a world of headache. We employ a proactive, high-tech approach to finding these elusive issues. We start by systematically running all plumbing fixtures for an extended period, then we deploy our thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters. We carefully scan walls, ceilings, and floors, looking for subtle temperature differentials or elevated moisture levels that indicate a leak. We don’t just check around the obvious bathroom fixtures; we also examine walls opposite sinks, toilets, and showers, anticipating where water might wick. If there’s an access panel to a whirlpool tub, we always open and inspect it thoroughly, as these are common sites for hidden leaks. This “detective work” can save you from incredibly costly and disruptive repairs down the line.

Why We Include Crawlspaces on All Inspections, at No Extra Cost

Many home inspection companies either charge extra to enter and inspect crawlspaces, or they simply declare them inaccessible, leaving a huge blind spot. We believe the crawlspace is far too critical to ignore, which is why we include a comprehensive inspection of all accessible crawlspaces as part of our standard service. This often-damp, dark area is a breeding ground for potential structural problems, plumbing leaks, HVAC leaks, inadequate insulation, and lots of spiders. We’ll examine the structural components for signs of wood rot, pest or water damage, or foundation issues. We check plumbing lines for leaks and damage, assess insulation for damage or improper installation, and identify signs of water intrusion or excessive humidity due to poor ventilation that can lead to microbial activity and poor indoor air quality. Our inspection also covers accessible electrical wiring and HVAC ductwork within this space, identifying deficiencies that affect safety, comfort, and energy efficiency.

When Manufacturer Requirements Mean A Little Extra Investigation

In the world of construction, proper installation isn’t just about things looking right; it’s about adhering to the manufacturer’s precise specifications to ensure performance, durability, and, critically, warranty validity. This is an area frequently overlooked by less thorough inspections. We go the extra mile by actively keeping copies of, and reviewing, building material manufacturer installation requirements, particularly for crucial exterior components like Hardieboard siding, and roof shingles. We include references to these specific manufacturer documents in our reports where applicable to help convey this issues and encourage builder and installers to make the necessary repairs. This is paramount for both new construction and remodels because materials might appear perfectly sound to the naked eye but be incorrectly installed according to the manufacturer’s stringent standards. Such discrepancies can lead to premature material failure, compromise your home’s integrity against the elements, and, perhaps most painfully, void the manufacturer’s warranty when a problem arises. Our commitment to this detailed verification acts as a vital safeguard for your investment.

At Greenwood Building Inspection & Consulting, we are dedicated to providing you with more than just an inspection; we provide clarity, foresight, and unparalleled peace of mind. Our commitment to thoroughness, paired with our specialized expertise in areas often overlooked by others, ensures you receive the most comprehensive understanding of your home’s true condition. When you choose us, you’re choosing an inspector who truly goes above and beyond. We invite you to experience the difference for yourself.