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.
