Limitations of a Visual Home Inspection  

A general home inspection is a visual inspection for system and major accessible component defects and safety issues.

A home inspection is designed to reflect, as accurately as possible, the visible condition of the home at the time of the
inspection. Conditions at a home for sale can change radically in only a day or two, so a home inspection is not meant to
guarantee what condition a home will be in when the transaction closes. It’s not uncommon for conditions to change between
the time of the inspection and the closing date  

It’s a Visual Inspection 

A “visual” inspection means that a home inspection report is limited to describing conditions in those parts of a home that
an inspector can see during the inspection. Obviously, parts of the home that are permanently hidden by wall, 
ceiling and floor coverings are excluded, but so are parts of the home that were inaccessible during the inspection for some other reason.
Some reasons might include lack of an access point, such as a door or hatch, or a locked access point, or because an 
occupant’s belongings blocked access, or because of dangerous or unsanitary conditions. There can be many more reasons. The point is that 
if an inspector can’t see a portion of the home, the inspector can’t assume responsibility for ensuring that a safe and proper condition exists or that 
systems are operating properly in that hidden space.  

Safety 

Safety can be a matter of perception. Some conditions, such as exposed electrical wiring, are obviously unsafe. Other conditions, 
such as the presence of mold, aren’t as clear-cut. In the example of the possible existence of mold, it's difficult to
accurately call it out during a general home inspection because mold sometimes grows in places where it can’t be readily
seen, such as inside walls, making its discovery beyond the scope of the inspection.  Also, the dangers to human health are 
from the inhalation of spores from indoor air. Most people with healthy immune systems have little or no problem with inhaling
spores. A few people whose immune systems are compromised by lung disease, asthma or allergies can develop serious or
even fatal fungal infections from mold spore levels that wouldn’t affect most people. Every home has mold and mold colonies can grow 
very quickly, given the right conditions. Mold can be a safety concern, but it often isn’t. The dangers represented by mold are a controversial 
subject. Other potential safety issues also fall into this category.
 
   System Defects 

Although the majority of the inspection is visual, InterNACHI Standards of Practice do require inspectors to operate space
and water heating equipment, and air-conditioning equipment, if it can be done without damaging the equipment. 
Inspectors will also examine the major accessible components of certain systems as required by the Standards of Practice. 
Furnace air filters are one example. A home inspection is not technically exhaustive, meaning that systems or components will 
not be disassembled as part of the inspection. For example, an inspector will not partially disassemble a furnace to more 
accurately check the condition of the heat exchanger. Inspectors typically disclaim heat exchangers. 

Hazardous Materials 

Asbestos, mold, lead, water purity, and other environmental issues or potential hazards typically require a specialist 
inspection, and may additionally require laboratory analysis. 

Home Inspectors are Generalists 

Home inspectors are not experts in every home system but are generalists trained to recognize evidence of potential 
problems in the different home systems and their major components. Inspectors need to know when a problem is serious 
enough to recommend a specialist inspection. Recommendations are often made for a qualified contractor, such as a plumber 
or electrician, and sometimes for a structural engineer.