The Home Inspection Book: A
Guide for Professionals
By Marcia Darvin Spada
Copyright,
Thomson/South-Western,
2003, Revised, 2006
Chapter 7
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2
Inspecting the Interior
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Chapter 7 Key Terms
Ash pit dump door/ pit/
cleanout door
 Building envelope
 Catalytic combustor
 Damper
 Efflorescence
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3
Extension springs
Flue/flue collar
Grout
Gypsum board
Internal reversing
mechanism
Lift handle
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Chapter 7 Key Terms continued
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4
Metal lath
Non-catalytic stove
Photoelectric eye
Resilient floor covering
R-Value
Section joint
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Subfloor
Throat damper
Torsion springs
Trim
Vapor barrier
Wythe
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Interior Inspection
Components
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5
Doors and locking
mechanisms
Walls
Ceilings
Floors
Insulation
Vapor Barriers
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Ventilation systems
Garage and door
openers
Basement
Crawl spaces
Fireplaces and solid
fuel burning appliances
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Diagram of An Interior Door
6
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
A Non-Load Bearing Wall
7
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Gypsum board covered with tape and
joint compound
8
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
A Metal Lath
Metal lath is found
inside plaster walls
 Older homes used
wood lath
 Inspection point:
 When plaster walls
have become wet, then
a dry powder-like
substance forms
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9
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Plaster is found in
homes 50 year older or
more
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Types of Ceilings
Cathedral ceiling
 Tray ceiling
 Exposed ceiling
 Suspended ceiling
 Ceiling tiles
 Inspection points:
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10
Bulges
Cracks
Water damage
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Inspecting the Floors
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Floor materials:
Resilient flooring
Wood
Clay tile
 Inspection
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11
points:
Raised bumps
Sags
Tears
Loosening from the
subfloor
Ripples
Swelling/buckling
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Insulation Locations
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12
Insulation is placed
wherever the interior
walls, ceilings or floors
are exposed to exterior
temperatures
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Two Types of Insulation
13
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Insulation with and without a Vapor
Barrier
14
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Attic Considerations
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Opening
Accessibility
Insulation
Wiring
Ventilation
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15
Inspection points:
Condensation causing
mildew and wood rot
Location of insulation
Location of baffles
Air flow across attic space
Method of ventilation
Examination of roof rafters
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Inspection of the Garage
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16
Attached or detached
4-12 inches below main
floor of house
Finished or unfinished
Cracked, water stained
or decayed walls
Location of furnace and
ventilation
Attic access
Floor slab
 Electrical system
 Dirt floors-pest
infestation
 Door opening
mechanism

Check for internal
reversing mechanism
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Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Inspecting the Basement
 Inspection
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points:
Water penetration
through foundation wall
efflorescence
Trap connected to
sewer line
Leak in sewer pipe
Water stains and rust
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17
Water stains on dry wall
Wood rot on paneling
Mold, mildew
Water damage to
resilient floor tile
Furnace room
ventilation
Furnace room drywall
Basement stairs
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
A Cross-Section
of a Fireplace
18
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior
Fireplace components
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19
Flue
Damper
Cleanout door
Hearth
Firebox
Ash Dump door
Ash pit
Ash pit cleanout door
Baffle
Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior