A Glossary Of Home Inspection Terms

Every industry has its own language and terms. Unfortunately, these words and phrases can be confusing to anyone who is not part of the daily operations of a specific sector, and the home inspection business is no exception.

To help you understand the terms, acronyms, and phrases regularly used during home inspections, 1st Selection Home Inspection has created this handy reference guide. Here you’ll find valuable information allowing you to comprehend and communicate your home’s specific needs effectively.

Standards of practice
Standards of practice certify precisely what inspectors are allowed or not allowed to do. It is included in every report.

Foundation
A home’s foundation is the base upon which the structure rests. It is usually masonry, concrete, stone, or wood and is generally partially underground.

Crawlspace
The crawlspace is the area within the confines of the foundation. It is between the ground and the underside of the lowest floor.

Accessible
An accessible area is one that can be approached or entered by the inspector safely, without difficulty, fear, or danger.

Concealed
Concealed areas refer to items that are hidden from view and are not inspected. An inspector can not make holes in the wall to see what is behind it. So rooms that are full of storage or large furniture will hide what is in the room.

HRV
Heat Recovery Ventilation or HRV uses a heat exchanger that employs a counter-flow between inbound and outbound air flow. HRV provides fresh air and improved climate control while also saving energy by reducing heating and cooling requirements.

GFCI
Ground-fault circuit interrupter or GFCI is a safety device that is intended for the protection of people by de-energizing a circuit. It can open the circuit when even a small amount of current is flowing through the grounding system. This means the GFCI will shut the power off before you get electrocuted.

If you’re looking for a certified home inspector in Greenwich, Connecticut, reach out to 1st Selection Home Inspection. As a fully licensed home inspection company, we strive to provide an honest and integrity-filled service. We provide unbiased advice and comprehensive findings of a property to help you in your decision-making process. Our services include home buyer’s inspection, pre-listing inspection, new construction inspection, termite inspection, radon testing, drone roof inspection, laboratory analysis, and water testing thermal imaging, to name a few. Our services are available to clients across Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Manhattan, The Bronx, Yonkers, Westchester County, White Plains, Chappaqua, Pound Ridge, Scarsdale, Bedford, New York.

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