What's Inspected
Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/14/2008 - 19:08.
What the State of Connecticut says we are required to inspect and what we are not required to inspect
Sec. 20-491-3. Structural system
(a) The inspector shall inspect the structural components including foundations and framing.
(b) The inspector shall probe a representative number of structural components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist. Probing is not required when probing would damage any finished surface or where no deterioration is visible.
(c) The inspector shall describe the foundation and report the methods used to inspect the under-floor crawl space or basement area; the floor structure; the wall structure; the ceiling structure; and the roof structure and report the methods used to inspect the attic.
(d) The inspector is not required to provide any engineering service or provide architectural service.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-4. Exterior
(a) The inspector shall inspect the exterior wall covering, flashing and trim; all exterior doors; attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings; the eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from the ground level; the vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls on the property when any of these are likely to adversely affect the building; and walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling entrances.
(b) The inspector shall describe exterior wall covering, finishing and trim.
(c) The inspector is not required to inspect screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories; fences; geological, geotechnical or hydrological conditions; recreational facilities; outbuildings; seawalls, break-walls, and docks; or erosion control and earth stabilization measures.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-5. Roof system
(a) The inspector shall inspect the roof covering; the roof drainage systems; the flashings; the skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.
(b) The inspector shall describe the roof covering and report the methods used to inspect the roof.
(c) The inspector is not required to inspect antennae, interiors of flues or chimneys which are not
readily accessible or other installed accessories.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-6. Plumbing system
(a) The inspector shall inspect the interior water supply and distribution systems, including all fixtures and faucets; the drain, waste and vent systems, including all fixtures; the water heating equipment; the fuel storage and fuel distribution systems; and the drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
(b) The inspector shall describe the water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping materials; if the water supply to the building is from an on-site well pump system, then the inspector shall describe the visible components of that system, the water heating equipment including the energy source; and the location of main water and main fuel shut-off valves.
(c) The inspector is not required to inspect the clothes washing machine connections; wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment; water conditioning systems; solar water heating systems; fire and lawn sprinkler systems; or private waste disposal systems.
(d) The inspector is not required to determine whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private or the quantity or quality of the water supply, well yields, well pump longevity, or the internal condition of water storage equipment.
(e) The inspector is not required to operate safety valves or shut-off valves.
(Added effective July 30, 2002; Amended effective March 7, 2008.)
Sec. 20-491-7. Electrical system
(a) The inspector shall inspect the service drop; the service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways; the service equipment and main disconnects; the service grounding; the interior components of service panels and sub panels; the conductors; the overcurrent protection devices; a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles; and the ground fault circuit interrupters.
(b) The inspector shall describe the amperage and voltage rating of the service; the location of main disconnect or disconnects and sub panels; and the wiring methods.
(c) The inspector shall report on the presence of solid aluminum branch circuit wiring.
(d) The inspector shall report on the absence of smoke detectors.
(e) The inspector is not required to inspect the remote control devices unless the device is the only control device, the alarm systems and components, the low voltage wiring systems and components, or the ancillary wiring systems and components not a part of the primary electrical power distribution system.
(f) The inspector is not required to measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-8. Heating system
(a) The inspector shall inspect the installed heating equipment and the vent systems, flues and chimneys.
(b) The inspector shall describe the energy source and the heating method by its distinguishing characteristics.
(c) The inspector is not required to inspect the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible, the heat exchanger, the humidifier, dehumidifier, the electronic air filter, or the solar space heating system.
(d) The inspector is not required to determine heat supply adequacy or distribution balance.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-9. Air conditioning systems
(a) The inspector shall inspect the installed central and through-wall cooling equipment.
(b) The inspector shall describe the energy source and the cooling method by its distinguishing characteristics.
(c) The inspector is not required to inspect electronic air filters or determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-10. Interior
(a) The inspector shall inspect the walls, ceilings, and floors; the steps, stairways, and railings; the countertops and a representative number of installed cabinets; a representative number of doors and windows; and garage doors and garage door operators.
(b) The inspector is not required to inspect the paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments; the carpeting; the window treatments; the central vacuum systems; the household appliances; or recreational facilities.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-11. Insulation and ventilation
(a) The inspector shall inspect the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces; the ventilation of attics and foundation areas; and the mechanical ventilation systems.
(b) The inspector shall describe the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces and the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned surfaces.
(c) The inspector is not required to disturb insulation or vapor retarders or determine indoor air quality.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-12. Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances
(a) The inspector shall inspect the system components and the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
(b) The inspector shall describe the fireplaces, solid fuel burning appliances and the chimneys.
(c) The inspector is not required to inspect the interiors of flues or chimneys, the firescreens and doors, the seals and gaskets, the automatic fuel feed devices, the mantles and fireplace surrounds, the combustion make-up air devices, or the heat distribution assists, whether gravity controlled or fan assisted.
(d) The inspector is not required to ignite or extinguish fires, determine draft characteristics, or move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)
Sec. 20-491-13. General limitations and exclusions
(a) Inspections performed in accordance with these regulations are not technically exhaustive. The inspector is not required to identify concealed conditions or latent defects.
(b) These regulations shall be applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their attached garages or carports.
(c) The inspector is not required to perform any action or make any determination unless specifically stated in these regulations, except as may be required by lawful authority.
(d) The inspector is not required to determine the following:
(1) the condition of systems or components which are not readily accessible;
(2) the remaining life of any system or component;
(3) the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component;
(4) the causes of any condition or deficiency;
(5) the methods, materials, or costs of corrections;
(6) future conditions, including, but not limited to, failure of systems or components;
(7) the suitability of the property for any specialized use;
(8) compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations, laws or ordinances);
(9) the market value of the property or its marketability;
(10) the advisability of the purchase of the property;
(11) the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals, including, but not limited to, wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans;
(12) the presence of any environmental hazards, including, but not limited to, toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air, with the exception of radon, asbestos, lead paint, or lead solder;
(13) the effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances;
(14) the operating costs of systems or components; or
(15) the acoustical properties of any system or component.
(e) Any services not required under Sections 20-491-1 to 20-491-14 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies may be offered by the home inspector as an optional service or provided at the request of the client.
(f) The inspector is not required to offer or perform any act or service contrary to law, or perform engineering services, or perform work in any other trade or any professional service other than home inspection, or offer any warranties or guarantees of any kind.
(g) The inspector is not required to operate any system or component which is shut down or otherwise inoperable, any system or component which does not respond to normal operating controls, or shut-off valves.
(h) The inspector is not required to enter any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components; or the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily accessible.
(i) The inspector is not required to inspect underground items including, but not limited to, underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active; systems or components which are not installed; decorative items; systems or components located in areas that are not entered in accordance with these regulations; detached structures other than garages and carports; or common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
(j) The inspector is not required to perform any procedure or operation which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components; move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris; or dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these regulations.
(Added effective July 30, 2002.)