Home improvement- Free tips for all Home improvement- All free home improvement and maintenance tips.

Now that you have hired a professional home inspection, prepare by doing your own prior to the appointment.
Jot down anything that looks out of the ordinary or needs attention. Generate a list of inquiries for the home inspector or other professsionals that you could have in the future.
Onto the checklist for the inside of your home. Let's start with the kitchen. Then we'll look at the attic and garage.

* Test the drainage of the kitchen sink. Look for signs of faucet leaks.
* Cabinet doors and drawers need to operate correctly. Examine for loose hinges. Are there any sticking drawer slides?
* Be sure to turn on the disposal. Keep a hear out for obstructions or motor problems.
* Try all the stove burners to be sure they turn on quickly and properly. Watch for unwanted sparking or bursts of flame. An even blue flame is given off from gas stoves.
* Check the oven door gasket for signs of wear and tear.
* Make sure the gas broiler lights as it does in normal operations.
* Gas shutoff valves need to be focused on for proper function. For proper usage, it needs to turn til it is perpendicular to the pipe.
* The dishwasher needs to be opened. The dishwasher arm needs to be spun and lifted manually to ensure it is not stuck. Ensure that the drain hose has not been dislodged. It should arc up to prevent backwash from the drain into the dishwasher.
* Pay attention to the surroundings of the dishwasher for signs of leakages.
* Ensure that the water filters have been changed.
* Throughout the rest of the house, check the doors for swollen spots and sticking. You'll get better results when humidity is low.
* Examine all the doors for loose components like hinges and doorknobs.
* During the examination of the floor area, look for popped nails, loose boards, loose tiles, and springy spots. This would be a indication of joist trouble.
* Look at ceilings for stains, which could indicate a roof or plumbing leak.
* Make sure ceilings and floors aren't sagging or cracked in new places. This could point to a bigger problem which may be causing a shift in the house. Above the door cracks are sometimes forgoetten.
* Check walls for popped screws and nails on drywall. Are there any new cracks in plaster?
* Look in the fireplace and chimney with a flashlight. Check for loose bricks. Is there cracks or indications of animals nesting? Don't forget that massive soot might spark a chimney fire.
* Examine the damper for proper operations.
* Check around ceiling fans to be sure they're well secured to the ceiling. Over the summer months, the fans get more use than normal and can work their way loose.
* Remember to jiggle the stair balustrade for security of fit. Create a log of the balusters and banisters that need attention.
* Engage all smoke and CO2 detectors to makre sure they work. The batteries need to be replaced if they are not good.
* Look around the attic space during daylight hours with the lights turned off.Do you see any holes in the roofing that let light in?
* Keep an eye out for signs of animal activity or places where animals can come in.
* Examine the vents for gaps. The fan motors needs inspection for frayed wiring and loose screws.
* Using your hands touch the insulation for damp locations where the leaks might occur. Focus on missing or torn insulation as well. That would give indication that animal activity exists.
* Structural damage in the joists or rafters can exist.
* In the garage, check the action of the garage door. Are there dents in the tracks or cracks in the door?
* Properly store tools by securing that they do not create a huge jeopardy by falling on someone or causing them to trip.

In order to be better prepared for the inspection, get yourself familiar with you home before the home inspector get there. This can allow you to be more informative for possible buyers. Having an edge gives you more.