Inspection of private water sources, such as a well, is beyond the scope of a home inspection.

Unvented Crawlspaces

In most climate zones, conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability, and energy consumption. Research has demonstrated how these conditioned crawlspaces also do not cost more to construct than vented crawlspaces. Crawlspace venting is a widely accepted business practice across the U.S. However, in humid climates, the warm humid air entering the crawlspace is more likely to condense on crawlspace framing than it will to help dry out the crawlspace. This is because the outside air can often have a dew point that is higher than the interior crawlspace framing surface temperature. As evidence, existing vented crawlspaces have experienced serious moisture and mold problems, costing builders and homeowners significant resources to repair.

Check for downspouts diverters not discharging water far enough away from the house. Check floor lawn irrigation systems spraying water against the house foundation, and check for gardens or planters that are up against the house. These may be causing wet soil pressure problems for the structure.

Remote Distribution Panels

Although this topic is covered in other areas, because the emphasis is on safety, it's important to review.

Service Drop

The service drop is the overhead service conductors located between the utility electric supply system and the service point.

Many roof problems are caused by issues with the framing and sheathing. In this section, we will focus on the defects that may be viewed from the exterior of the property. This is one of those cases where standing back and taking a good, hard look is better than getting "up close and personal" with the roof.