When Appliances Work
Home appliances are the workhorses of daily life. You use them daily to cook, make hot drinks, clean dishes, and preserve food. Built-in appliances are standard in most modern homes. Built-in appliances are fundamental components of a habitable structure, cooking is a part of that so, for example, a Housing & Urban Development (HUD) inspection would require a range and oven to pass their minimum standard inspection.
Appliances Inspected
Range
Oven
Dishwasher
Sink disposal
Microwave oven
Inspecting For Safety
Your inspector will visually inspect and test built-in appliances as part of your home to assure they are in safe working order and present no hazards to you or your home.
Appliance Status In Writing
Your written report will describe the condition of the appliance and any recommended repairs or remediation as well as noting the importance of any hazardous observation.
During the inspection your inspector will test on and off switches, fuel and water flow as well as drainage systems.
Overall, your home inspector is looking to identify material defects and safety hazards. A defect may be a repair, maintenance or improvement consideration with or without a safety association. Safety hazards include things like a tiny connection gas leak from a built-in range, or water leak from a dishwasher that can create a deadly mold infestation.
Tools For Living
A detailed inspection of built-in appliances is often an integral component of your property inspection. For some home inspectors, an appliance inspection is either not included or is an optional inspection at an additional fee. Ask your inspector if built-in appliances are included in the inspection.
Discover the other 101 introductions to learn what else your home inspector sees when he takes a professional look at your property.
The appliance inspection does not include free-standing items:
Refrigerator
Washer
Dryer
Water softener
Water purifier/filter
Wine refrigerator
Built-in blender
Built-in refrigerators (ex. Sub-zero or Viking)
If you require additional appliance inspections, your inspector will be able to refer you to a local professional