This week we continue with our inspection series highlighting the different areas in a home. This week: the Bathroom.

Bathroom Inspections

What we inspect:

Sinks

Bathroom sinks are the most common fixture to leak based on my experience as a home inspector. Leaking faucets, water lines and drain lines are prone to regular failure. We also test to make sure that the hot and cold connections are hooked up properly (Hot on the left and cold on the right) and that the sink drains sufficiently and isn’t clogged. 

Toilets

Testing toilets during an inspection involves making sure there are no leaks, that it flushes fully, and is properly secured. More often than not, at least one toilet in a house is either loose or dangerously loose. Loose toilets are prone to leaks that can often go undetected below the toilet. Rather than simply securing the loose toilet, we recommend pulling the toilet to check for leaks below the toilet, ensure the flange isn’t damaged and secure, and then resetting the toilet and securing it to the floor so it doesn’t move.

Showers/Tubs

Shower inspections involve checking water pressure, adequate drainage, caulking, and looking for leaks. Depending on the type of shower and installation, issues range from loose fixtures, missing caulk, leaking faucets to leaking shower surrounds. Water leaks can cause issues to the surrounding materials and should always be addressed immediately. Many times fiberglass tub/shower surrounds have cracks/chips in them that need to be repaired to prevent further damage and possible leaks. 

Windows

Some bathrooms have windows, others do not. As with any other room, we check windows for proper operation and note any issues or deficiencies. One common problem we find with bathroom windows is a window installed in the shower. Many older homes originally had only a tub installed with a window above it. When the tub gets converted to a shower, lots of problems with water can occur – especially with wood windows. Eventually, constant exposure to moisture can lead to significant deterioration and rot of the window and potential water damage to the walls around the window.  Ideally, any window installed in a shower would be made of vinyl and be located above the height of the showerhead.

Electrical

All electrical outlets located in a bathroom need to have GFCI protection. Many times this GFCI protection is connected to a GFCI outlet in another bathroom. We test each outlet to confirm it is wired properly and has the necessary GFCI protection. Oftentimes bathrooms in older homes do not have this important and necessary safety feature. 

Exhaust Fan

Every bathroom should have an exhaust fan installed. As home inspectors, we test these fans and note any deficiencies, such as noisy fans, fans that don’t work, missing covers, etc. Vent fans are important because they help remove steamy/moist air associated with hot showers. When we encounter a bathroom without a vent fan, there are often stains on the ceiling, peeling paint, and microbial growth. Even a half bathroom without a shower/tub benefits from having a vent fan installed to help with air circulation and odors. Any vent fan installed directly above the shower also needs to be GFCI protected.

Walls and Ceilings

Water damage is the most common problem we find on walls and ceilings in the bathroom. We commonly find water damage around the edges of tubs and showers due to water leakage or improper use of a shower curtain. 

Flooring

Bathroom floors are made of a wide variety of materials: hardwood, linoleum, vinyl, tile, and yes – even carpet! Bathroom floors experience lots of moisture exposure and some materials handle this moisture better than others. Common deficiencies we note during an inspection are cracked tiles, water staining/damage to hardwood, broken or missing grout, as well as tears and scratches on linoleum and LVP.