top of page

Blog

jacksoncho
Mar 252 min read

Preparing for Inspection 1


知彼知己 百戰不殆

This is a quote from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," which means that if you know both yourself and your enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger.


When thinking about what sellers fear most in the process of selling a house, could it be the inspection? Especially in the case of houses that haven't been well maintained for a long time, this fear might be even greater.


However, if you know in advance what aspects are checked during the inspection and address any fixable issues beforehand, or prepare yourself mentally, wouldn't you be able to handle the buyer's demands more confidently?


So, let's find out what aspects are checked during an inspection.



Electrical Related

1.) Circuit Breaker Panel


  • Firstly, whether each circuit breaker is properly labeled (indicating which switch controls which electrical circuit).

  • Whether each circuit breaker is only controlling one wire. If it controls two wires, it's called double tapping and it violates building codes.

  • Whether the wire sizes connected to each circuit breaker are appropriate. There are different wire gauges depending on the amount of power, and it's essential to ensure that the wire size matches the appliance or machine it's serving and that the circuit breaker can handle that size. 2.) Outlets, Switches

  • Whether each switch operates properly.

  • Whether each outlet functions correctly.

  • Whether the wiring for each outlet is properly connected. Typically, each outlet has 2-3 wires: the hot wire, the neutral wire, and the ground wire. Reversing the hot and neutral wires during installation can lead to a dangerous situation called reverse polarity, which poses a fire hazard. Inspections check for this.

  • Whether GFCI outlets are properly installed and functioning. GFCI outlets automatically cut off power when they detect a current imbalance, reducing the risk of electric shock, and they are required in places where water is present or could be present (kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors, garages, etc.). Inspections verify that these outlets are installed correctly and operational.

  • Whether all lights turn on properly.

  • Whether ceiling fans operate correctly without wobbling or making unusual noises.

  • Whether garbage disposal functions properly. 3.) Miscellaneous Electrical

  • Whether there are any exposed external wires.

  • Whether outlet covers are intact.



These are the aspects typically examined during an electrical inspection.



In the next part, we'll explore inspections for plumbing and sewage systems.

9 views0 comments

Comments

bottom of page