Why is a Home Inspection Important?

Home inspections are one of the final steps involved in buying a home. A home inspection will tell you, as the buyer, if the property is safe to live in, what major problems the property has and needs fixing, as well as the quality of certain aspects of the property that may not be readily apparent. As a buyer you will contract with a home inspector who will then compile a report of this information and give you their educated opinion (which is not a guarantee) on the condition of the property.

It is important to understand what Oregon home inspectors will be looking at since the laws are different for each state. Home inspectors in Oregon are required to have a license, meaning that they must be certified by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). To gain certification they need to pass a comprehensive test and must annually complete continuing education courses to renew their license. The company the home inspector works for, even if they are the owner, need also be certified by the CCB and must have a contractor’s license as well.

Certified Oregon Home Inspectors will only conduct a general inspection of the property, unless otherwise stated. This general inspection is designed to find any major problems with the home, which would then prompt a specialized inspection. The home inspector will make the recommendations as to whether additional inspections are needed or not. The age and location of a home can make it necessary for a specialized inspection regardless of the findings in the general inspection.

It is the job of your real estate agent to discuss the report with both you and the home inspector, and to help make clear the exact issues of the inspected home. After you have reviewed the inspection with your real estate agent it is then decided what issues and concerns to address with the sellers of the home.

Below is a checklist of standards of practice established for a general inspection by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board:

Structural Components	Foundation, floors and floor structures, walls and wall structures, columns or piers, ceilings and ceiling structure, roof and roof structure.
Exterior & Site	Wall cladding, flashings, trim, entryway doors and windows, garage door operators, attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, porches, applicable railings, eaves, soffits, fascias, vegetation, grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways, and retaining walls.
Roofing	Roof coverings, roof drainage systems, flashings, skylights, chimneys, roof penetrations, and signs of leaks or abnormal condensation on building components.
Plumbing	Interior water supply and distribution system, interior drain, waste, and bent system, hot water systems, above ground oil storage and distribution, and sump pumps and sewage ejection pumps.
Electrical	Service equipment, grounding equipment, main overcurrent device, distribution panels, branch circuit conductors, ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, switches, ground fault or arc fault circuit interrupters, and smoke alarms.
Heating	Heating equipment, normal operating controls, automatic safety controls, chimneys, flues, vents (where readily visible), solid fuel heating devices, heat distribution systems (i.e. fans, ducts, etc.), and the heat sources in each room.
Central Air Conditioning	Cooling and air handling equipment, normal operating controls, and air distribution systems.
Interiors	Walls, ceiling, floors, steps, stairways, balconies, railings, counters, cabinets, doors, windows.
Insulation and Ventilation	Insulation and vapor retarders/barriers in unfinished spaces, ventilation of attics and foundation areas, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry venting systems, readily accessible attic ventilation fan, and insulation in unfinished spaces adjacent to heated living areas.
Built-in Kitchen Appliances	Installed dishwasher, range, cook top, installed oven, trash compactor, garbage disposal, ventilation equipment or range hood, installed microwave oven, and built-in refrigerator.

Most home inspection reports in Oregon include a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) report, also called a Pest and Dry Rot (T&D) report. However, you will need to seek further inspections for specialty items such as: Sewer or Septic Systems, Wells or Water Systems and Plumbing, Chimneys, Asbestos, Mold, and other items that are not determined to be part of the main structure.

Wood Destroying Organism (WDO)/Pest & Dry Rot (T&D) Inspection

And inspection would cover the readily accessible structural exterior, structural interior (not including attics), accessible crawl spaces, and attached garages and carports. The inspector would give their educated opinion on the presence of such organisms, the damage they have done, and whether the conditions currently promote these organisms.

Sewer/Septic System Inspection

A sewer inspection would consist of running a small video camera into the sewer lines. The inspector views the piping on a monitor and can determine whether or not there is a clog, as well as the condition of the sewer.

There are no septic system standards for inspection in Oregon; therefore, the service would differ depending on the company used. Most general inspections require that the septic tank be uncovered and pumped. The inspector would look at the surface of the tank and through the access hole to determine the condition.

Well/Water Systems and Plumbing Inspection

Well inspections, in the state of Oregon, must be carried out upon acceptance of an offer to purchase a home with a well. Water would be tested for arsenic, nitrate, and total coliform bacteria. Lab tests for these samples cannot be waived even if the buyer agrees not to have the well tested. The tests are considered valid for one year if they are associated with the sale of the property.

A water system and plumbing inspection typically covers fixtures, pipes, waterlines, indoor and outdoor drainage, and waste and vent systems. The plumber conducts a complete evaluation of the plumbing structures to ensure they are running properly. They would look for leaks, examine toilets, sprinkler valves, and also check the water meter.

Chimney Inspection

A chimney inspector would examine the readily accessible interior, exterior, and connections for the chimney. They would be inspecting the soundness of the structure and ensuring that the chimney has no blockages or combustible deposits.

Asbestos & Mold Inspections

Inspections for asbestos are referred to as asbestos surveys. A survey for asbestos would determine whether or not asbestos is present in the home. Asbestos is a building material commonly used before the 1970’s and now is identified as causing mesothelioma when inhaled. Usually asbestos only becomes a problem when the material is mistreated or disturbed by movement. To prevent asbestos from being released into the air it must be monitored closely or removed.

Mold inspectors in Oregon would visually and physically inspect the presence of mold in a home. They would take samples from the inside and outside of the home and send them to a laboratory to be analyzed. The inspector would also conduct a relative humidity test and take swab samples of infected areas to determine the types and concentrations of mold present.

Find more information on Oregon Home Inspection Law click the link.