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Mechanical Inspection

Mechanical components of the home are generally defined as those using water, gas, and/or electricity. By that definition, the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems) with their accessories, the exposed plumbing and electrical systems with their fixtures and the appliances permanently attached to the property are all parts of the mechanical inspection.

Norm uses many different techniques to inspect the furnace, including taking a carbon monoxide measurement. He is unique in that he does remove the furnace faceplate to look inside each burner and chamber. He is the only inspector who employs ultrasound measurements to check areas of the heat exchanger, which cannot be accessed by the naked eye. Ultrasound also allows him to check the integrity of high efficiency sealed systems. He is recognized as an expert on venting issues and is also boiler certified. Because of his background in the HVAC trades, he is the only inspector in the Kansas City metro who has the ability to check air conditioning in lower temperatures.

Looking in the main electrical panel is important to determine that all the overcurrent devices (breakers and/or fuses) are correspondently sized. Mismatches are fire hazards.

Norm uses a circuit analyzer, which performs all the functions of the cheaper circuit tester but also tests for many other characteristics including voltage drop, ARC fault, ground fault interrupter, and impedance. The use of sophisticated tools protects your investment better.

Plumbing consists of your exposed water, gas and drain lines as well as fixtures such as toilets, faucets, and the hot water heaters. The use of polybutylene pipe in some new homes is also of concern during the inspection because of class action suits involving that material.

Appliances generally included are the range, the dishwasher, the vent hood, and the garbage disposal. Wash appliances and refrigerators are typically not inspected.