The exterior inspection is one of the most important parts of the inspection process. This is because most systems have components outside, and the exterior shell, called the building envelope, is what protects the structure from damage. Water penetration is probably the single biggest concern in the Canadian climate, and we rely on the siding windows and doors to stop this.

In the last twenty years, many new exterior products have been introduced to the Canadian home building market, with limited success. You may be purchasing an experiment when it comes to the exterior of your home, if it is not one of the traditional materials such as stone, brick or vinyl. We are constantly finding new errors in building envelope design and construction in newer construction. Many of these are the result of the search for cheaper materials, or faster construction.

Grading around the foundation of the home is also evaluated outside. Basement leakage is typically the biggest concern of purchasers, and is usually the result of poor grading or gutters. Simply put; you want the house at the top of the hill, not the bottom of the valley. Grading is often easy and cheap to correct, but it can be difficult and expensive due to soil types and lot topography.