Inspecting Your Home—When, Where & Why

Here’s a timeline for conducting several home inspections:

Check annually:

• Basement and exterior for signs of wood-eating insects
• Basement and crawl space for dampness

Check every spring:

• Doors, windows and trim for rotting wood
• Caulking on sinks and showers
• Masonry for cracks

Check every six months:

• Gutters for debris
• Wiring and cords for signs of wear
• Roof for missing shingles or blisters
• Driveway for cracks
• Smoke detector batteries

Check every month:

• All bathrooms for water leaks
• CO and smoke detectors