Every standard inspection meets or exceeds Maryland's standards of practice (COMAR 09.36.07). If there's something we can't safely reach, it doesn't get quietly skipped. We write it down, say why, and tell you what to do about it.
Here's what we check in each one, and what we tend to find in houses around here. Maryland's housing stock has its own habits, and knowing them is most of the job.
Asphalt roofs 18 to 25 years old with granule loss and curling on the south-facing slopes.
Chimney flashing patched with roofing tar instead of proper step and counter flashing.
Soffit vents blocked by blown-in insulation, which traps winter moisture under the roof deck.
Bath fans venting straight into the attic, leaving mildew on the sheathing above.
Horizontal cracks and inward bowing in block walls, common in 1950s to 70s homes on clay soil.
Stair-step cracks in block that are old and stable and only need watching.
Downspouts emptying right at the foundation. Often the cheapest fix for a wet basement.
Mulch and soil built up against the siding over the years, hiding the sill.
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels, both with documented breaker failures, still turn up in older Carroll and Baltimore County homes.
Three-prong outlets swapped in on two-wire circuits with no ground behind them.
Gray polybutylene supply pipe from the late 1970s to mid-90s, which tends to fail at the fittings.
Galvanized steel supply lines in older homes, with low pressure on the upper floors.
Heat pumps past 15 years, still running but near the end of their service life.
Oil boilers in older homes, sometimes with an abandoned fuel tank nearby.
Relief valve discharge pipes missing, capped, or cut off short.
Tanks past 12 years old with rust at the base.
Fogged insulated glass in 20-year-old vinyl windows.
Soft wood at sills and door jambs on the weather side of the house.
Ceiling stains below bathrooms from failed tub caulk or a slow supply leak.
Basement stairs with no handrail, or open risers on steep runs.
White mineral deposits (efflorescence) on block walls, showing water moving through the masonry.
Sump pits with no pump, or a pump discharging a few feet from the wall.
Decks fastened to the house with nails instead of bolts, and no flashing at the ledger board.
Garage door openers that don't reverse when they meet resistance.
These take different equipment, a lab, or a separate license. We list them here so nobody assumes they were covered.
Most can be added to the same visit. If you're not sure you need one, call and we'll tell you straight.
Most gaps in a report come from a locked door or a blocked panel. Tick things off as you go, or print the list for the fridge.
Questions before inspection day? Call (443) 537-8823.
Call or message us today. We'll find a time that works for you.
Serving Carroll, Baltimore City & County, Howard, Montgomery & Frederick County
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