First Choice Home Inspections, LLC
Annual Home Checklist
Your home is one of the biggest investments your will ever make and just like your car it requires
regular checkups and service. You should always be aware of the condition of your home and check
your entire house yearly for maintenance and safety concerns. Home owners should also have their
homes inspected before they purchase and every five years thereafter by a licensed and insured
home inspector. First Choice also offers a Home Maintenance Inspection Package which includes a
Residential Home Inspection and 4 Annual Home Checkups. http://www.1homeinspector.com
We recommend if the checks are above your skill level or if you are not comfortable preforming any of
the following that you contract a licensed professional.
EXTERIOR
❏ Check for cracks in asphalt or concrete driveways, sidewalks and paths. These can be
tripping hazards. Water can penetrate and wash away soil or freeze in cold months.
❏ Check retaining walls for bulges or loose areas. Heavy rain or snow fall can damage walls.
Ensure weep holes are free of debris.
❏ Examine porches and decks for sagging ceilings, loose boards or railings. Check the posts,
footings and boards for wood rot or termite damage.
❏ Look for stains on the siding. Stains may be a result of a moisture, roof or gutter problem.
❏ Look at the soffits, eaves and vents for holes or evidence of insect or animal nests.
❏ Look at the walls for signs of peeling paint, missing brick mortar or stucco that is cracking.
❏ Check the chimney for leaning or separation from the house. Also check the flashing to
ensure it is in good condition and not peeling or missing.
❏ Look at the foundation and step walls for cracks or bulging. Ensure soil is 8” from sill plate or
wood siding.
❏ Check the sill for rot or insects. Use a screw driver to probe the sill for rot or soft spots. Look
for mud tubes which indicate the presence of termites.
❏ Make sure the soil slopes away from the foundation.
❏ Roofing should be checked yearly, if you are not comfortable with heights or ladders hire an
inspector. Check for cracks, missing shingles, raised shingles moss, debris or dampness.
Check asphalt for dryness, blistering, alligatoring or curling shingles; wood for rot or splits;
slate or tile for broken pieces; and flat roofs for blistering, ponding or cracks. Check for
overhanging tree limbs and leaves.
❏ Examine the flashing and vents. Look for cracks, damage, gnaw marks, or missing parts.
Check the chimney cap for rust, holes, damaged or missing spark arrestor cap.
❏ Check gutters and down spouts for debris or improper pitch. Use a garden hose or wait until it
rains to check for leaking. Stains, mildew or mold on siding may also indicate a leak. Ensure
downspout extension extend 3 ft. from the foundation.
❏ Check fences and privacy walls for leaning and condition and gates for missing hardware and
operation.
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Annual Home Checklist© Copyright 2011| First Choice Home Inspections, LLC
PLUMBING
❏ Check for signs of leaks in all exposed pipes and in areas where they run through the walls.
❏ Look for signs of corrosion, which could indicate a problem with the water or the pipe. Check
the copper and brass pipe fittings for green stains which is a sign of corrosion or electrolysis
caused by mismatched metals. This will result in leaks if left uncorrected.
❏ Check the water pressure of the faucets and shower heads. Low pressure could be a result of
sediment buildup in the faucet aerator or shower head.
❏ Check the speed of drainage. Fill the sinks with water and drain. A slow drain may have a
clog or a blocked vent pipe. Look for a full swirling drain. Bubbling drains are a sign of a
problem.
❏ Flush the toilets to make sure they operate properly. Open their tanks and look for worn or
missing parts. Then wait around for a few minutes to see if the toilet runs after a pause, a sign
of a slow leak.
❏ Look inside the burner chamber of the gas water heater for rust flakes. Check the flame; it
should be an even blue, with no yellow. A yellow flame indicates soot or a problem with the
gas-air mixture, meaning the jets need cleaning. Check the flue for loose joints or corrosion.
Nothing combustible should be place within 1 foot of the flue pipe.
❏ Drain the water heater to remove sediment that has settled to the bottom. Turn off water heater
before draining. Sometimes leaks in faucets are caused by hard water wearing out the
washers.
❏ Watch out for cracked tiles in the shower area or around sinks. Tap on tiles looking for loose or
hollow ones, which could be masking rotted backer board behind them.
❏ Check on the state of the tub and shower caulking to see if it is time to replace it.
❏ Look for evidence of mildew where water has a chance to stand for longer periods
❏ Manipulate the toilet base to be sure it doesn't rock, which might mean a leak has damaged
the floor around it.
❏ Look for cracks on the toilet tank or bowl or on sinks
❏ Slide shower doors do check for sticking, rust, or obstructions. Examine the gaskets around
the door glass for gaps and tears.
❏ Turn on the shower and bath faucets and check for leaks around handles and valves. Are they
easy to use, or harder to turn on and off? Check set screws around escutcheon plates.
❏ Unscrew the shower head and look for collected sediment in it that could be lowering the water
pressure.
❏ Examine vent fans for obstructions or dust. Turn them on: If it sounds really loud, the bearings
may be worn out or a flapper may have gotten stuck.
❏ Check washer hoses for signs of aging (cracks, bulging or brittleness) or leaks.
❏ Check dryer vents for tears. Vacuum or brush out lint in hose and around lint screen inside
unit. Look for lint around the floor or on the wall, indicating a clog in the vent hose.
WATER and SEPTIC
❏ Send out a sample of well water to your county cooperative extension or lab to test it for
quality, chemicals, and bacteria.
❏ Make sure that the well cover is tightly sealed but there is still access to the pump. Visually
check the wiring for condition; there should be no breaks or gnaw marks.
❏ Check the sump pump by pouring water on it, to see if it turns on automatically.
❏ Look around your septic tank/field for soggy ground or overly lush vegetation, which could
mean the tank is full or failing.
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Annual Home Checklist© Copyright 2011| First Choice Home Inspections, LLC
HVAC HEATING/COOLING
❏ Take a flashlight into the furnace flue and look for a buildup of soot or rust. Tap on it to see
what falls; rust is a sign of condensation, which is cause by an inefficient furnace. Have a
HVAC technician service the system regardless of what you find.
❏ Check air ducts for leaks. Make a solution of dishwashing soap and water, then brush it on
ductwork joints-wherever there are leaks you’ll see bubbles in the soap.
❏ Check registers and vents for loose or missing covers and screws.
❏ Check around radiators for leaks, or damaged floors, which could be a sign of a leak or an
incorrect pitch toward the return.
❏ Look for overall deterioration, rust, loose parts, and other signs of a failing system.
❏ Check the filter of your HVAC air handler. Filters should be change every 30 days for standard
filter and by manufacturer recommendation for electrostatic and electronic filter systems.
❏ Check the fins of the coils in your HVAC condenser. Make sure they are bright silver and free
of dirt and debris.
❏ Check the clearance around your HVAC condenser. You should have a minimum clearance of
one foot on all sides and no dryer vent discharge within 3 feet.
ELECTRICAL
❏ Check trees around the house to be sure they're not threatening wires.
❏ Open the panel and look for new scorch marks around breakers or fuses. Also check outlets
for scorch marks, which could be a sign of loose and sparking wires.
❏ Look for loose outlet covers, receptacles, and loose boxes.
❏ GFCI outlets are found on exterior walls and in the garage or in bathrooms, kitchens and
laundry rooms within 6 ft. of any water source. Washing machines are on a designated circuit
and should not be plugged into a GFCI outlet. Test all GFCI outlets by plugging in a lamp and
then hitting the test and reset buttons to see if it turns the light off and then on again.
❏ Using a lamp or electrical tester make sure all outlets work.
❏ Test all light switches to ensure they work properly.
INTERIOR
❏ In the fall, once the humidity is gone, check doors for swollen spots and sticking.
❏ Look for loose hinges and doorknobs.
❏ Check the floor for popped nails, loose boards, loose tiles, and springy or spongy spots that
could be a sign of joist trouble.
❏ Look at ceilings for stains, which could indicate a roof or plumbing leak.
❏ Check ceilings and floors for sagging or cracks in new places. Look above doors for cracks.
Cracks may be a sign of structural problems.
❏ Check walls for popped screws and nails on drywall or new cracks in plaster.
❏ Point a flashlight into the fireplace and up the chimney, checking for loose bricks, cracks, signs
of animal nests, or excess soot that could spark a chimney fire.
❏ Make sure the damper operates properly.
❏ Check ceiling fans are well secured to the ceiling. Look for wobbling or squeaking when
operated.
❏ Check the stair balustrade to test its sturdiness, and take note where balusters and banisters
have come loose.
❏ Test all smoke and CO2 detectors and replace batteries immediately if something doesn't
work.
❏ Check all home fire extinguishers are up to date and charged.
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Annual Home Checklist© Copyright 2011| First Choice Home Inspections, LLC
DOORS AND WINDOWS
❏ Examine weather-stripping around exterior doors and windows for tears and wear.
❏ Check that the hinges and door knobs are securely fastened.
❏ Check sliding glass doors for operation. Do they slide easily and lock.
❏ Check screens for holes and tears.
❏ Look for cracks in window glass and glazing around panes.
❏ Check the action of the windows for sticking points.
❏ Look for peeling paint and other signs of wear on window frames and stools, usually in the
bottom corners. Look for corrosion on aluminum window frames. Check that weep holes in
the sill outside haven't been caulked over, inhibiting drainage.
❏ Check all caulking around doors and windows.
❏ Take a look at thresholds for cracks that could let water reach the sill.
ATTIC
❏ Look around the attic space during daylight hours, with the lights turned off. Look for holes in
the roofing that let light in.
❏ Keep an eye out for signs of animal activity or entry points for animals.
❏ Check around vents for gaps. Look at fan motors for frayed wiring or loose screws.
❏ Look for open junction boxes which are a safety and fire hazard.
❏ Feel around insulation for damp spots where leaks might be occurring. Look for missing, torn
or displaced insulation, which could be a sign of animal activity.
❏ Examine joists and rafters for structural damage, blackening, dampness or rot.
❏ Examine sheeting for damage, blackening, mold or rot.
❏ Ensure dryer vent, hood vent and bathroom vent fan exhaust tubes are venting outside,
through the roof or walls.
GARAGE
❏ Check the action of the garage door and look for dents in the tracks or cracks in the door.
❏ Check the automatic garage door opener. Ensure photo eyes and pressure reverse are in
working order.
❏ Check hinge hardware of the door for loose or missing fasteners.
❏ Check the weather-stripping at the bottom and sides of the door.
❏ Make sure tool storage and hanging rakes and shovels don't create a falling or tripping hazard.
KITCHEN
❏ Fill the sinks and drain. Check the faucets for leaks. Check the drainage of the sink and look
for signs of leaks.
❏ Turn on the disposer and listen for signs of obstructions or problems with the motor.
❏ Look at all the cabinet doors and drawers to make sure they open and close properly. Check
for loose hinges or sticking drawer slides.
❏ Try all the stove burners to be sure they turn on quickly and properly, without sparking or
bursts of flame. Make sure gas stoves give off an even blue flame.
❏ Check the oven door gasket for signs of wear and tear.
❏ Turn on a gas broiler to make sure it lights properly.
❏ Make sure the gas shutoff valve is working. It should be able to turn completely perpendicular
to the pipe.
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Annual Home Checklist© Copyright 2011| First Choice Home Inspections, LLC
❏ Open the dishwasher and spin and lift the washer arm by hand to make sure it isn't stuck.
Check that nothing has dislodged the drain hose; it should be looped up to prevent backwash
from the drain into the dishwasher. Check the door gasket for rips and tears.
❏ Look for signs of leaking under and around the dishwasher.
❏ Make sure water filters have been changed recently.
❏ Check the seals on the refrigerator and freezer. Make sure they are not torn or rusted.
❏ Unplug the refrigerator and check the fan and coils to ensure they are free from dust.
❏ Check the refrigerator water line for leaks.
First Choice Home Inspections services Central Florida area homes. By contracting First Choice Home
Inspections, you benefit from experienced Central Florida home inspectors that deliver computerized reports
using the latest technology. Our reporting system meets and exceeds the state standards.
SERVICES
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Residential Home Inspections (Buyer, Seller and Maintenance)
Residential Home Inspection Package (includes 1 Home Inspection and 4 Annual Home Checkups)
Pool/Spa Inspections
4PT Insurance Inspections
WDO* Inspections
Irrigation Inspections
* All WDO Inspections are performed by a Licensed Termite Inspector that may or may not be an employee of FCHI.
Deltona, FL 32725
Email: home.inspections@aol.com
Phone: (386)624-3893
Web: http://www.1homeinspector.com
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Find a NAHI Home Inspector in your area at Inspector Search or http://www.nahi.org/
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Annual Home Checklist© Copyright 2011| First Choice Home Inspections, LLC