A home inspection is a visual examination of the home’s major components, mechanical systems, and structure. The inspection will identify any items that need repaired or replaced and estimate the remaining life left on major systems.  Washington state has outlined standard operating procedures (SOP’s) that all Home Inspectors need to follow. A home inspection is not technically exhaustive and does not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.  This means that any part of the home that is hidden by a wall, ceiling and floor coverings are excluded, but so are parts of the home that were inaccessible during the inspection due to the owner’s stored items, or locked doors, etc.  Inaccessible areas could also be caused by dangerous or unsanitary conditions such as slippery roofs or heavy rodent activity in the crawlspace.  Areas that are not visible during the inspection would therefore be excluded from the home inspector’s responsibility in ensuring that the systems are operating properly in that area.  So, What will a Home Inspector review?