In this new blog post series, we will look at the different areas in a home that an Inspector looks at, highlighting a new space each week. This week:

Bedroom Inspections

What we inspect:

Structural Integrity

During a bedroom inspection, we look for signs of significant cracks in the walls or ceiling, and any sagging or uneven floors. These issues could be indicative of more significant structural problems with the house. We expect to find typical settling cracks in the drywall on walls and ceilings, the vast majority of the time, these cracks are normal and not concerning. Occasionally, however, there can be cracks in corners, below windows, or on the ceiling that signal significant movement/shifting in the structure that needs further evaluation.

Doors

We also pay close attention to windows and doors in the bedroom. These elements need to be functional. We test doors for proper operation, including whether or not they close and latch properly. The most common issues with doors are loose hinges, misaligned latches, and doors that rub on the frame. Generally, these issues can be resolved fairly easily with minor adjustments. 

Windows

We assess the quality and function of the windows, ensuring they open and close properly, and have properly operating hardware (cranks, latches, locks). Common issues are failed seals (moisture and condensation between a sealed double pane window) and rotted window sashes and frames. Windows in bedrooms are required to have emergency egress escape directly to the home’s exterior. Oftentimes, the egress is restricted, improperly sized, or not present (particularly in basement bedrooms).

Electrical and Lighting

During a bedroom inspection, we check the electrical components inside the room. This includes ensuring outlets are properly grounded and functional, and light fixtures, switches, and ceiling fans are working properly. Common issues include ungrounded receptacles (especially in older homes), light bulbs that are burned out, and wobbling/noisy ceiling fans.

Smoke Detectors

Bedrooms are one of the key locations where smoke detectors are required. We confirm the presence of these life-saving devices in the proper location (within 1 ft. of the ceiling) and note if they are outdated. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years (there is a manufacture date located on the bottom). Surprisingly, a number of houses do not have smoke detectors in all the bedrooms.

Heating and Cooling

While in a bedroom we look for a heat source to be present in the room and note a deficiency if we do not find one. Typically these are vents located on the wall, floor, or ceiling. Some houses have radiant heating with baseboard radiators or electric baseboard heaters installed. While testing the adequacy of the airflow from a furnace or air conditioner is outside the scope of our inspection, we frequently confirm that hot or cold air is being sent to the room.

Flooring

Inspection of the floor involves noting the flooring material and its condition. Common issues include carpet wrinkles and stains, as well as damaged/loose flooring. Flook squeaks are fairly common and not typically a sign of major concerns. Many older homes have floors that are not level and slope in one or more directions. We make note of these conditions and do further investigation into the cause when possible. 

In general, inspections of offices, living rooms, and family rooms are very similar to bedroom inspections.