- Gaps and crack in wood siding and trim
- Cracks or openings in exterior stucco surfaces
- Warped or buckled vinyl siding
- Rotten fascia boards
- Rotten wood porch ceilings
- Rain entering the attic space at gable vents
- Rodents entering attic spaces
- Rust spots on wood trim or siding from nails that are not galvanized
- Flashing between roof surfaces and siding should be visible
- Soil, pine straw or mulch from contact with siding
- Inadequate surface drainage away from the foundation walls
- Exterior steps or porches without hand railing
- Loose deck boards
- Screens missing or damaged at the foundation vents
- Lack of flashing between the siding and a masonry foundation
- Water pooling on a balcony surface
- Loose exterior hand railing
- Exterior doors that hit or rub against the door frame
- Damaged exterior door weather stripping
- Exterior doors that do not lock properly
- Exterior door jambs that are rotting
- Exterior metal doors that are rusting
- Corroded or rusty exterior flashing
- Damaged or missing dryer vent covers on exterior walls
- Missing bath fan termination covers at exterior walls or soffits
- Missing or damaged weather-stripping around the garage door
Exterior Inspection Standards
The inspector should:
- inspect the siding, brick, stone, and/or stucco
- inspect the exterior trim
- inspect the visible flashing
- inspect the exterior doors
- inspect the decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, railings
- inspect the eaves, soffit, fascia
- inspect the vegetation adjacent to the home
- inspect grading, surface drainage adjacent to the home
- inspect retaining walls adjacent to the home
- inspect the walkways, patios, driveways
- describe how exterior was inspected
The inspector is not obligated to:
- inspect the screens, shutters, awnings
- inspect any fences, boundary walls
- inspect any geological and soil conditions
- inspect any recreational facilities (pools, spas, etc.)
- inspect any outbuildings
- inspect any seawalls, break walls, docks
- inspect any erosion control devices