When you order a home inspection for a home you are looking to buy, the home inspector will evaluate the garage as part of the home inspection process. The home inspector will be looking for any signs of defects in the structure and any potential safety hazards the could exist. The following are five parts of the garage that will be inspected by the home inspector.
1. Kind of Garage ” Initially, the home inspector will determine what kind of garage the home has and how many average sized cars the garage will hold. There are many kinds available such as attached, detached, built-in, basement, or carport.
2. Structure ” The structure of the garage is defined as the materials it is constructed out of. Most garages fall into the most common types which are masonry and wood frame. The inside of the garage will either be unfinished or finished. An unfinished garage has exposed wall studs, wiring, plumbing etc. A finished garage will have the walls insulated and covered with either wood paneling or drywall. The home inspector will also examine the garage floor for cracks and settlement problems.
3. Electrical ” The home inspector will test any electrical outlets to determine if they are wired correctly and if they are GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected. The home inspector will determine if the electrical panel box is located in the garage. Additional electrical information will be available in the electrical section of the home inspection report.
4. Garage Doors and Openers ” There are 3 things the home inspector is looking for with the garage doors. They are condition of the doors, installation of a automatic door opener, and the proper function of an auto reverse feature. The auto reverse is a safety feature that prevents the garage door from closing on someone. The home inspector will report back on the function of these items in the home inspection report.
5. Plumbing ” The home inspector will determine if the hot water heater is located in the garage and if it is installed properly based on the fuel source. Gas water heaters should be installed at least 18 inches off the ground on a secured platform. The home inspector will also test any sinks or plumbing fixtures.
Garages vary in size, type, and amenities. This article is a general overview of what the home inspector will look for. Additional items may need to be inspected based on equipment installed and the home inspectors findings.
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