Frequently Asked Questions

The following is provided as a basic guideline of items that the inspectors will look for through the course of an inspection:

EXTERIOR

Siding:

• What is the condition (broken, peeling paint, cracked)
• Are there any shingles or pieces missing
• If brick are all bricks in place

Foundation:

• Condition (cracks, chipped corners, painting needed)
• Any leaks at ground level or below the walls

Gutters & Down Spouts:

• Aluminum, galvanized, or copper
• Condition (damaged and spilling into splash-guard, any missing sections, needs replacing, needs repairs, needs to be painted)
• Are downspouts attached and draining away from the building.

Windows:

• Condition (broken or cracked panes)
• Operable (opens and close without any problems)
• Type: Metal or wood (is any painting needed)

Screens:

• Condition (any tears, holes, pulled away from gasket)
• Screens should be in all windows that open and storm doors

Fences:

• Type: chain link or privacy
• Condition (rusting & needs to be painted, falling down, leaning, sagging, missing rails, vegetation growing in fence, wooden fence needs to be painted)

Accessory Building:

• Type: Metal or wooden
• Properly secured to ground (anchored down)
• Condition (in need to repairs or painting, doors are attached and operable)
• Legally located in yard (5 ft from rear property line & 3 ft from side property lines)
• Building should be on a concrete pad.

Driveway / Sidewalks:

• Cracked sections, pitted sections, raised section (replacement needed)

Yards:

• Unnecessary debris/litter (tree limbs, branches, leaves)
• Grass excessively high (over 8 inches)

House Lights/Receptacles:

• Condition (broken glass, exposed receptacles weather proofed and GFCI protected.
• Outlets near a concrete floor should be GFCI protected.

Air Conditioner:

• Know the age
• Condition (operable, outside unit clear of debris, leaves, trash)

Swimming Pool (Above Ground):

• Type
• Condition (operable, no standing / stagnant water)
• Properly wired (electric outlet for the filter must be grounded circuit with a GFI receptacle enclosed in a weather-proof box)
• Proper drain provision
• Proper safety (fence, gate, removable or lockable ladder)
• Pool must be 6 ft from ALL property lines

INTERIOR

Living Room, Dining Room, Bedrooms:

• Measurements (square feet)
• All windows operable and frames in good condition
• Flooring cover (carpeting, hard wood, linoleum)
• All outlets have plate covers
• Cracks along ceiling or walls
• Any visible water damage, ceiling or walls

Kitchen:

• Measurements (square feet)
• Grounded receptacle by the sink (GFI outlets)
• Exhaust fan operable (if applicable)
• Disposal operable (if applicable)
• Any water leakage under the sink
• Floor covering (linoleum, carpet, tile)
• Items 2 through 7 under Living Room also apply to Kitchen

Hallway:

• Operable smoke detector must be placed on the ceiling near the bedrooms

Family Room:

• Any additional heating components (gas- must be inspected by Laclede Gas, wood burning must be properly flued / vented

Bathroom:

• Wash basin, tub/shower, sink (water damage due to leakage)
• Toilet (signs of water damage) Will flush to verify
• Grounded receptacle by the sink with GFI outlet
• Floor covering (tile, linoleum, carpet)
• Walls (drywall, tile)

Smoke Detectors:

• Should be inside every bedroom near the door.
• Should be outside each bedroom
• Should be on each level of the home
• Should be at the top of the basement stairs.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

• Should be on each level of the home

Basement:

• Any cracks in the walls, water damage due to leakage
• Floor drain required
• Water heater (Approximate age, safety valve, overflow, properly vented
• Smoke detector required at bottom of basement stairwell.
• Handrail must be attached on basement stairs

Electrical Main Fuse Box:

• List amps of input service (100/200 amps)
• Fuses or breakers
• Are any additional outlet boxes attached
• All wiring must be terminated in junction boxes and properly covered
• All wiring must be secured to walls/ ceiling
• Wiring should be properly sized
• Housing grounding (verify connection to pipe)

Stairs:

• Basement and deck stairs should be childproofed with no openings greater than 4 inches

Furnace:

• List type of pipe, clean out capabilities.
• Auxiliary and space heaters must be inspected/approved by Laclede Gas.

Finished Areas:

• If water is provided for a sink, verify that connections are proper and must have a "P" trap and not straight drop to main pipelines.