Article
What a Standard Home Inspection Doesn’t Cover (and Why It Matters)
April 26, 2025
Buying a home usually involves a home inspection – that nerve-wracking day when an inspector pokes around your potential new house. A good home inspection is crucial, but here's a secret: even the best inspector has limitations. In a typical 2–3 hour walkthrough, they can't possibly check everything. A standard inspection has blind spots. Knowing what’s NOT included in a standard home inspection report can save you from unpleasant surprises after you move in.
A standard home inspection is a non-invasive check of a house’s visible and accessible areas. Inspectors examine major components like the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, and overall structure. Inspectors look for issues such as leaks, structural damage, or safety hazards, then provide a written report. Essentially, an inspector is a generalist who focuses on obvious structural or mechanical defects and safety concerns. They do not typically move furniture, tear open walls, or dig into the ground – meaning some issues can lurk out of sight.
A standard home inspection is a non-invasive check of a house’s visible and accessible areas. Inspectors examine major components like the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, and overall structure. Inspectors look for issues such as leaks, structural damage, or safety hazards, then provide a written report. Essentially, an inspector is a generalist who focuses on obvious structural or mechanical defects and safety concerns. They do not typically move furniture, tear open walls, or dig into the ground – meaning some issues can lurk out of sight.
What’s NOT Included in a Standard Home Inspection?
1. Pest and Mold Inspections
A regular inspection doesn’t include a specialized check for termites, carpenter ants, rodents or mold problems. Inspectors aren’t pest control experts; they might note visible damage or “possible mold” if they see something suspicious, but they won’t actively hunt for infestations hidden in walls or perform mold testing.
Why it matters: Pest infestations and mold can lead to major headaches. Termites, for example, can silently chew through wood and undermine a home’s structure. Mold growth can affect indoor air quality and health, and requires expensive remediation. Since a standard report likely won’t mention these hazards, it’s smart to order separate inspections. PropertyLens helps fill this gap by checking for a property’s susceptibility to pest issues, but a specialist’s inspection is still the gold standard for peace of mind.
2. Environmental Hazards (Radon, Asbestos, Lead, etc.) Standard home inspections skip most environmental tests. Inspectors do not test for invisible dangers like radon gas, nor do they sample materials for asbestos or lead paint. In older homes, an inspector might point out potential issues, but confirming those requires lab testing outside the scope of a normal inspection.
Why it matters: These hazards can pose serious health risks and be costly to address. Radon is an odorless radioactive gas, while asbestos and lead-based paint are toxic. If untested, you might move in unaware of these lurking dangers. Home buyers should consider additional environmental tests for safety. PropertyLens highlights such blind spots by checking environmental databases and local risk factors so you’re alerted to issues a standard inspection won’t reveal.
3. Sewer and Septic Systems The condition of underground sewer lines or septic systems is not covered by a routine home inspection. Inspectors will flush toilets and run faucets to see that water drains, but they won’t send a camera down the main sewer pipe or dig up the septic tank drain field. It requires a specialized sewer scope by a plumber.
Why it matters: Sewer and septic problems are infamous for causing nasty (and expensive) surprises. A cracked or clogged sewer line might not show any symptoms until one day, sewage backs up into your home. Repairing a broken sewer line often costs thousands of dollars. Since your standard inspection won’t give any insight here, it’s wise to get a sewer scope done for older homes or those with big trees. PropertyLens will flag if a property’s profile suggests a sewer check is advisable.
4. Smart Home Features and Specialty Systems
Modern homes often boast smart systems and special equipment that standard inspections don’t fully cover. Inspectors check the basic operation of heating/cooling, plumbing, and so on, but they generally won’t test things like the security alarm, built-in sound system, automated sprinklers, or any low-voltage and Wi-Fi connected devices. They are also not required to inspect remote controls, lawn irrigation systems, sauna equipment, generators, or solar panels.
Why it matters: These items can impact your budget and lifestyle. Imagine moving in to find the fancy smart thermostat doesn’t turn on, or the automated garage door app isn’t connecting. Or perhaps the house has a costly security system with dead sensors. These surprises happen when the inspector didn’t cover them. If you see these sorts of systems in a home, you may want to specifically ask about how well - or if - they work.
5. Swimming Pools, Spas, and Other Extras Planning to dive into that backyard swimming pool? Keep in mind that pools and hot tubs are usually not part of a standard inspection. Inspectors might take a quick look, but they won’t test the pool’s pump, heater, filter or check the plumbing and electrical components of it. Those require a dedicated pool inspection. The same goes for detached garages, outdoor kitchens, or an irrigation well.
Why it matters: These extras can be expensive to fix if something’s wrong. A pool with a leak or a bad heater can cost a lot to repair. If the home has features like these, it’s worth arranging additional inspections. PropertyLens will note if a listing has a pool or other standout features and advise that you get them checked.
“Inspectors might take a quick look, but they won’t test the pool’s pump, heater, filter or check the plumbing and electrical components of it. Those require a dedicated pool inspection.”
How to Bridge the Home Inspection Gaps
The first weapon you have to eliminate surprises and bridge the home inspection gap is information. Ordering a Home History Report from PropertyLens.com will expose many of the issues that your inspector doesn’t normally check for. You can take extra steps to protect yourself by:
- Budgeting for add-on inspections or tests.
- Ask your general inspector if they suspect something that needs further evaluation.
- Use tools like PropertyLens to flag common blind spots and get neighborhood or historical context.
No More Surprises
A standard home inspection is incredibly valuable, but it isn’t a crystal ball. It won’t catch every potential problem. As a homebuyer, understanding these limitations means you can be proactive: schedule extra inspections if needed, ask the right questions, and use PropertyLens or similar resources to dig deeper. By covering those blind spots, you’ll avoid many of the nasty surprises that can turn your dream home into a money pit. Happy home buying!
