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We all remember the Maytag commercials with the lonely Maytag repairman. As a certified home inspector, you'll inspect kitchen appliances and see if it's high-time to wake up the Maytag man and have him fix an appliance or two.
Licensed home inspectors are expected to inspect all appliances that are a permanent part of the home. They do not inspect freestanding items (a microwave, for example) unless these appliances are to be sold as part of the house. When evaluating appliances, certified home inspectors should always operate them to make sure they work. We'll take a look at three common items that are covered in any good home inspection training course: garbage disposals, dishwashers and cooking surfaces.
Garbage disposals slice up food material and send it down the drain line. The main problem with disposals is that they jam; most models have a fitting for a hex wrench, which allows the user to manually turn the blades and clear up the jam. Certified home inspectors should turn on the disposal for a few seconds to check if it's operable. Possible deficiencies in this appliance include: too much vibration, leaking or a missing splashguard.
Dishwashers are simple enough to understand. An electric pump sprays hot water on your dishes and cups. To get the job done right, dishwashers require a water temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit; a typical cycle is anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes. A professional house inspection course will keep you out of hot water in this area.
Licensed home inspectors should run the dishwasher and then stop it by unlocking the door prior to playing with the timer. At the end of the cycle, notice if there's too much water remaining in the cabinet; a little water, however, is no problem as it helps keep the seals from drying out. The rotating arm spray should be checked to make sure it moves without obstructions. Problems to note on the inspection report would be things like no hot water, poor drainage or a door that doesn't open and close properly.
Your cooking surfaces are going to be either gas cook tops or electrical cook tops. When it comes to gas, inspectors need to turn on the burners and check out the flame. The cook flame should be bright blue and respond quickly to the turning of the control knob. If you smell gas, investigate further. Evaluating an electric gas stove involves making sure the heating elements don't get too hot and that the controls work properly. Online home inspection classes are one way to ensure you know your cooking surfaces.
Your home inspection education will give you the training to have a successful home inspection career, and with luck, avoid the lonely fate of the Maytag repairman.
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