For home inspection on previously built homes there are a few key things to do before the inspection. The more thorough you are on inspecting and looking through your home yourself the better the chances of passing the inspection. You should do this walk through of the home a few weeks before the final inspection.

One of the key things to do is to look around your basement and crawlspaces looking for mold or mildew. If you can smell any mold you will need to cover exposed dirt with plastic to reduce the moisture in the air. Moisture in these places will attract insects and deteriorate the building materials. If there is too much moisture your home inspection will not pass.

You will need to look at your roof for shingles missing or signs of any damage. This is a major part of the home inspection. If you have problems or rotted wood underneath the shingles and possible the wood will need to be replaced. If you have a chimney make sure that the flashing around it is watertight to prevent leaks into the fireplace.

While you are on the roof look to make sure the rain gutters are clean of debris. You want the water to go to the down spouts and away from the house. Make sure the down spouts are pointed away from the house and are also free of clogs. For buried drainage pipes you will need to flood them with water, if the water comes back to you then the pipes need a good cleaning. The less moisture that is directed away from your house the smaller potential problems will be with the foundation or roof.

Check your plumbing in all areas. This would include bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. Check the outside plumbing too. Make sure there are no leaks around the faucets or under the sinks. Run the dishwasher to make sure it runs and drains as it should. Make sure the toilets are free of clogs. Leaking faucets and clogged toilets will not help pass the inspection. Fix them before the inspection and make sure all are in working order.

Electrical problems could become a problem on your inspection also. Go around and make sure all outlets are in working order and there are no hanging wires. You can purchase small voltage meters at many home improvement store. Make a sweep of your home for all electrical outlets and light switches. Make sure the bathroom and kitchen outlets are equipped with a GFI outlet. This acts as a mini circuit to shut off the power to that outlet if there are problems. Look at the main circuit board for any that are turned off or not installed properly.

Lastly you should look at the gas and air conditioning units. Make sure they are clean and in working order. They should not have any hazards and be able to cool or heat the home efficiently. If these are not working properly during an inspection you may not pass or be required to fix any problems.

The more proactive in looking for and inspecting problems the better your chances of passing the inspection are. Do a thorough check of every nook and cranny of your home for signs of leaks or damages. The more you fix now is the key to passing inspections.