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It is of utmost importance to have a home inspection carried out when you are buying a new home in Toronto. Lenders do not require such an inspection, but it is in your best interests to have an inspection done on a home that you wish to purchase. The inspection report will alert you to the possibility of the presence of problems that may require costly repairs shortly after you take possession of the house. When you view the home, you are not able to see all areas, such as crawl spaces and the attic. You may also not have the training needed to inspect the roof and the structure of the dwelling.

When a home inspector starts to inspect the house, the process starts with the exterior. Here the inspector will look for structural damage, especially around the window and door frames and check the roof for defects causing leaks. Sometimes, the inspector may actually climb up on the roof for a thorough inspection or he may do a visual inspection from a ladder.

The deck and the walkways are also subject to inspection to ensure that they are up to code and do not present any foreseeable problems. Drain pipes and rain gutters are also on the inspection list to ensure that rainwater is being carried away from the house so that it won’t pose any damage to the exterior structure.

Having completed an inspection of the exterior, the inspector will then move to the interior of the house. This involves checking the ceilings, doors and windows for even the smallest of defects that could lead to leaks. The attic and basement are next on the list. In addition to checking for leaks in the attic, which could be clue to problems with the roofing, the inspector will also check to make sure that it has the proper amount of ventilation and insulation. An inspection of the basement is crucial to ensure that the foundation of the home is sound and that there is no presence of mold. As part of the routine, the inspector will look for areas of humidity caused by seeping water.

An inspection of the electrical system of the house is also part of a home inspection. This involves testing the wiring to ensure that there are no shorts and that the system is grounded properly. The inspector will also take a look at the electrical panel to ensure that it is of the proper size and capacity for the size of the house and to ensure that the wiring materials used are safe.

Plumbing, too, comes under the heading of a home inspection. The inspector will look at the water pipes and check to see that they are in perfect operating condition with the correct amount of water pressure and flow. He will turn on and off all faucets and flush the toilets as part of this process to ensure that all the fixtures and drains are working as they should.

The heating and air conditioning systems are also inspected during this process. The inspector will make sure that all units are heating and cooling and they should and that heat is adequately distributed to all areas of the home. The presence of carbon monoxide is very dangerous and therefore is one of the things the inspector will check for. He will also be able to give you advice about ways you can conserve energy lowering your utility bills once you do move in.

Many people do not realize that having a home inspection done on a home that you are planning to purchase will also alert you to any possible problems with termites or other insects that cause damage to wood. This is a vital factor in buying a home because the repairs associated with insect damage can be extremely expensive.

Since a home inspection takes a very thorough look at all aspects of a house, this is one way to determine if there are any repairs needed. Quite often the homeowner is not aware of any of the problems that are found. Once you have all the information from a home inspection, you can feel safe in proceeding with the sale or you may engage in further negotiations to lower the purchase price.