Maryland Home Inspectors Standards of Practice

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.04 Structural System.
A. A home inspector shall visually inspect the structural system, including the structural components including foundation and framing.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. A home inspector is not required to:
(1) Provide any engineering service; or
(2) Offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system or component.

.05 Exterior.
A. A home inspector shall visually inspect the home exterior, including:
(1) Exterior wall covering, flashing, and trim;
(2) All exterior 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.
B. A home inspector shall describe the exterior wall covering.
C. 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. 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.
B. A home inspector shall describe the roof covering and report the methods used to inspect the roof.
C. A home inspector is not required to:
(1) Inspect:
(a) Antennae;
(b) Interiors 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 .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.
B. 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 main water and main fuel shut-off valves.
C. 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 or quality of the water supply; or
(3) Operate safety valves or shut-off valves.

.08 Electrical Systems.
A. 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 interrupters; 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.
B. A home inspector shall describe the electrical system, including the:
(1) Amperage and voltage rating of the service;
(2) Location of main disconnect and sub panels; and
(3) Wiring methods.
C. 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.
D. 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 a part of the primary electrical power distribution system; or
(2) Measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.

.09 Heating System.
A. A home inspector shall visually inspect:
(1) Installed heating equipment;
(2) Vent systems, flues, and chimneys; and
(3) Heating distribution.
B. A home inspector shall describe energy sources and heating methods by distinguishing characteristics and means of distribution.
C. 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.

.10Air-ConditioningSystem.
A.Ahomeinspectorshallinspecttheinstalledcentralandthrough-wallcoolingequipment.
B. A home inspector shall describe energy sources and cooling methods by distinguishing characteristics and means of distribution.
C. 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.

.11Interior.
A. A home inspector shall visually inspect:
(1) Walls, ceilings, and floors;
(2) Steps, stairways, and railings;
(3) Counter tops and a representative number of installed cabinets;
(4) A representative number of doors and windows; and
(5) Garage doors and garage door operators.
B. 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. 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.
B. 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.
C. 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. A home inspector shall visually inspect:
(1) System components of fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances; and
(2) Vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
B. A home inspector shall describe:
(1) Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances; and
(2) Chimneys.
C. 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 fire box contents.