The Illuminate Routine

GENERAL STUFF
✅ Look at the house! Get that establishing shot!
✅ Open the door! Let there be light: Turn on all lights and exhaust fans.
✅ Get the dishwasher humming: Start that cycle early so we can check for leaks later.
✅ Locate the secret hatches: Find all attic access panels.
✅ Check the weather: Grab that outdoor temperature.
✅ Orientation: Which way is this home facing?
 
THE BIG THREE (Roof, Attic, Exterior)
✅ Ladder time! Climb onto the roof (if safe).
✅ The "Extended Eye": Look into all attic spaces—I use a 10-foot camera extension pole to see deep into corners where other inspectors won't go!
✅ Perimeter Cruise: Scope out the siding, eaves, windows, grading, decks, balconies, walkways, etc.
✅ Gas & Power: Note the gas meter/shut-off and the main electrical panel. Dead front cover comes off!
✅ HVAC Exterior: Inspect the outdoor units inside and out. How old are these workhorses?
✅ Wet & Wild: Run those hose bibs!
✅ Exterior Juice: Check the outlets and—don't forget—Ring that doorbell!
 
THE MIDDLE THREE (HVAC, Distribution Panels, Plumbing)
✅ HVAC Time: Fire up the thermostat to run the heater/AC.
✅ The Deep Dive: Inspect the HVAC unit and the water heater inside and out. (Note those ages!)
✅ The Grid: Inspect the distribution panels inside and out.
✅ The Valve & Cleanout Hunt: Locate the main water shut-off and cleanout pipe within 5 feet of entering. It’s the most important handle in the house that you hope you never have to use!
✅ The Blow Test: Ensure the registers are actually pushing out that hot or cold air.
✅ Flood the System: Run all plumbing fixtures, fill ‘em up, and drain ‘em!
✅ The Pressure Cooker: Can it handle the heat? (And the cold?) We run multiple plumbing fixtures all at once to stress-test the pressure and make sure your pipes don't cave under the demand!
✅ The "Wiggle" Test: Wiggle those toilets and fixtures. Look under every sink for "mystery drips."
✅ Hot & Cold: Confirm the water heater is doing its job on both sides.
✅ Chef’s Check: Run the oven, microwave, and range.
 
THE FINAL THREE (Outlets, Interior Walls, Windows/Doors)
✅ The Clockwise Walk: We go top to bottom, clockwise, so nothing is missed.
✅ The "Every" Rule: Check every outlet, switch, ceiling fan, door, window, counter, and railing.
✅ The Early Warning: Give the smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors a wake-up call to make sure they’re ready to protect your family!
✅ The Low-Down: Crawl the crawlspace (if space allows). If not? 10-foot camera pole time again! Is it insulated? Vented? Have a vapor barrier? Pests? How’s the foundation? Mushrooms growing??
✅ Garage Safety: Check that the garage door actually reverses like it should.
✅ Thermal Imaging Time: Now that the water has been running, my infrared camera will find any "invisible" leaks behind the walls.