State Of Maryland Standards of Practice for Inspecting Residential Properties

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MARYLAND HOME INSPECTORS STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

.04 Structural System

A home inspector shall visually inspect the structural system, including the structural components including foundation and framing.

Probing

(1) A home inspector shall probe a representative number of structural components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist.

(2) Probing is not required:

a. If it will damage any finished surface; or

b. Where no deterioration is visible.

A home inspector shall describe the structural system, including the:

(1) Foundation, and report the methods used to inspect the under-floor crawl spaces and basements;

(2) Floor structure;

(3) Wall structure;

(4) Ceiling structure; and

(5) Roof structure, and report the methods used to inspect the attic.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Provide any engineering service; or

(2) Offer any opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system or component.

.05 Exterior

A home inspector shall visually inspect the home exterior, including:

(1) Exterior wall covering, flashing and trim;

(2) All attached doors;

(3) Attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings;

(4) Eaves, soffits, and fascias that are accessible from the ground level;

(5) Vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls on the property if any of these may adversely affect the building; and

(6) Walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling entrances.

A home inspector shall describe the exterior wall covering. 
A home inspector is not required to inspect any of the following:

(1) Screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories;

(2) Fences;

(3) Geological, geotechnical, or hydrological conditions;

(4) Recreational facilities;

(5) Outbuildings;

(6) Seawalls, break-walls, and docks; or

(7) Erosion control and earth stabilization measures.

.06 Roof System

A home inspector shall visually inspect a roof system, including:

(1) The roof covering;

(2) Roof drainage systems;

(3) Flashings; and

(4) Skylights, chimneys, and exterior and roof penetrations.

A home inspector shall describe the roof covering and report the methods used to inspect the roof.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Inspect:

a. Antennae;

b. Interior of flues or chimneys that are not readily accessible; or

c. Other installed accessories.

(2) Walk on or access a roof where it could damage the roof or roofing material or be unsafe for the home inspector;

(3) Remove snow, ice, debris, or other conditions that prohibit the observation of the roof surfaces; or

(4) Determine:

a. The remaining life expectancy of roof coverings;

b. The presence or absence of hail damage;

c. Manufacturer’s defects;

d. Installation methods; or

e. The number of layers of roofing material.

.07 Plumbing System

A home inspector shall visually inspect the plumbing system, including:

(1) Interior water supply and distribution systems, including all fixtures and faucets;

(2) Drain, waste, and vent systems, including all fixtures;

(3) Water heating equipment;

(4) Vent systems, flues, and chimneys;

(5) Fuel storage and fuel distribution systems;

(6) Drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping;

(7) The functional flow of all fixtures and faucets; and

(8) The functional drainage of all fixtures.

A home inspector shall describe the plumbing system, including:

(1) Water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping materials;

(2) Water heating equipment, including the energy source; and

(3) The location of the main water and main fuel shut-off valves.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Inspect any of the following:

a. Clothes washing machine connections;

b. Interiors of flues or chimneys that are not readily accessible;

c. Wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment;

d. Water conditioning systems;

e. Solar water heating systems;

f. Fire and lawn sprinkler systems; or

g. Private waste disposal systems;

(2) Determine:

a. Whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private; or

b. The quantity of the water supply; or

(3) Operate safety valves or shut-off valves.

.08 Electrical Systems

A home inspector shall visually inspect an electrical system, including: 

(1) The service drop

(2) Service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways;

(3) Service equipment and main disconnects;

(4) Service grounding;

(5) Interior components of service panels and sub-panels;

(6) Conductors;

(7) Over current protection devices;

(8) A representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles;

(9) Ground fault and arc fault circuit interrupter; and

(10) The general condition of visible branch circuit conductors that may constitute a hazard to the occupant or the structure by reason of improper use or installation of electrical components.

A home inspector shall describe the electrical system, including:

(1) Amperage and voltage rating of the service;

(2) Location of main disconnect and sub-panels; and

(3) Wiring methods.

If applicable, a home inspector shall include in a written report the:

(1) Presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring; and

(2) Absence of smoke detectors.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Inspect:

a. Remote control devices, unless the device is the only control device;

b. Alarm systems and components;

c. Low voltage wiring systems and components; or

d. Ancillary wiring, systems, and components that are not part of the primary electrical power distribution system; or

(2) Measure amperage, voltage or impedance. 

.09 Heating System

A home inspector shall visually inspect:

(1) Installed heating equipment;

(2) Vent systems, flues, and chimneys; and

(3) Heating distribution.

A home inspector shall describe energy sources and heating methods by distinguishing characteristics and means of distribution.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Inspect:

a. Flue or chimney interiors that are not readily accessible;

b. Heat exchangers;

c. Humidifiers or dehumidifiers;

d. Electronic air filters; or

e. Solar space heating systems; or

(2) Determine the adequacy of the heat system or the distribution balance.

.10 Air-Conditioning System

A home inspector shall inspect the installed central and through-wall cooling equipment.

A home inspector shall describe the energy sources and cooling methods by distinguishing characteristics and means of distribution.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Inspect electronic air filters; or

(2) Determine the adequacy of the cooling system or the distribution balance.

.11 Interior

A home inspector shall visually inspect:

(1) Walls, ceilings, and floors;

(2) Steps, stairways, and railings;

(3) Countertops and a representative number of installed cabinets;

(4) A representative number of doors and windows; and

(5) Garage doors and garage door openers.
A home inspector is not required to inspect:

(1) Paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments;

(2) Carpeting;

(3) Window treatments;

(4) Central vacuum systems;

(5) Household appliances; or

(6) Recreational facilities.

.12 Insulation and Ventilation

A home inspector shall visually inspect:

(1) Insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces;

(2) Ventilation of attics and foundation areas; and

(3) Mechanical ventilation systems.

A home inspector shall describe:

(1) Insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces; and

(2) If applicable, the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned surfaces.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Disturb insulation or vapor retarders; or

(2) Determine indoor air quality.

.13 Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

A home inspector shall visually inspect:

(1) System components of fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances; and

(2) Vent systems, flues, and chimneys.

A home inspector shall describe:

(1) Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances; and

(2) Chimneys.

A home inspector is not required to:

(1) Inspect any of the following:

a. Interiors of flues or chimneys;
b. Fire screens and doors;

c. Seals and gaskets;

d. Automatic fuel feed devices;

e. Mantles and fireplace surrounds;

f. Combustion make-up air devices; or

g. Gravity-controlled and fan-assisted heat distribution assists;

(2) Ignite or extinguish fires;

(3) Determine draft characteristics; or

(4) Move fireplace inserts or stove or firebox contents.

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