GARAGE SYSTEMS

Free DIY Home Inspection Checklist

• (*Safety concern) Denotes a Safety Issue which should be considered very important 

General Conditions

Number of Vehicles    1    2    3    4    5    6   ____

• Converted into living space  (*DIY TIP: Check for permits)
• Most of the garage was not fully visible

Garage Slab

• Crack(s) observed in the garage (<.25”)
• Cracks observed in the garage (>.25”)  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Efflorescence in concrete
• Deteriorated slab  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Slab lacks minimum slope  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Garage slab is lower than exterior grade  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Stem wall significant cracking  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Flammable material on floor 
• Garage lower than driveway  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Moisture seeping from under slab  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Concrete popping

Garage Separation Wall

• Holes observed in separation wall  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Seal penetrations in separation wall (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Ladder in fire separation wall (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Air duct through separation wall (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Crack(s) observed in the wall (<.25”)
• Cracks observed in the wall (>.25”) (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 

Garage Walls and Ceiling

• Stains in drywall (*DIY TIP: Ask about previous leaks here)
• Missing drywall materials
• Crack(s) observed in the wall (<.25”)
• Cracks observed in the wall (>.25”) (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)

Garage Ventilation

• Louvers suggested in vents
• Missing vent covers
• Screens damaged
• Vent(s) covered-over
• Vents needed 

Garage Fire door

• Door does not self close  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Pet door installed fire door  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Fire door needs to be weather stripped / Smoke seal 
• Door sweep missing 
• Threshold loose / missing screws
• Door rubs frame / sill
• Double cylinder deadbolt installed in door  (*DIY TIP: Safety concern) 
• Door hardware missing
• Hardware worn
• Fire door is a hollow core door-not fire rated  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)

Garage Side Man-Door

• Hollow core door – solid is suggested
• Badly damaged / weathered Door
• The door frame badly weathered
• Needs weatherstripping
• Door rubs frame / sill
• Self closer needed   (*DIY TIP: Door leads to pool area – Safety concern) 
• Hardware is worn / damaged

Garage Framing

• Garage framing is stained  (*DIY TIP: Ask about previous leaks here)
• Cracked wood framing members observed  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Building paper torn deteriorated  (*DIY TIP: Ask about previous leaks here)
• Holes bored into framing exceed maximum size
• Added framing observed  (*DIY TIP: Check for permits)
• Door or window added into wall  (*DIY TIP: Check for permits)
• Insect / moisture damaged wood framing

Vehicle Door(s)Rollup     Tilt up

• Door binding noted
• Damaged door noted
• Lower seal damaged
• Side seal damaged
• Glass damaged
• Wood moisture damaged
• Metal panel(s) damaged

Automatic Opener(s)

• Retractor Okay
• Automatic retractor missing  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• The automatic retractor too high (+12”)  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Door closes halfway then retracts when button pressed  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)
• Loose chain
• Missing emergency pull cord
• Very noisy closer
• Cover missing
• Lights non operational
• Damaged non functional

Garage Electrical

• GFIs suggested throughout 
• GFIs defective  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) 
• Non metallic wiring (romex) exposed and installed in hard way  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate)  
• Added wiring throughout  (*DIY TIP: Check for permits) 
• Electrical conduit improperly supported  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Non grounded plugs  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Reversed polarity plug  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Damaged plug  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Plugs scorched  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Switches –unable to determine their function throughout
• Damaged switches / receptacles  (*DIY TIP: Have contractor evaluate) (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Junction boxes missing cover plates  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Open knockouts in junction boxes  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Loose wiring, exposed wires not protected  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 

Garage Stairs

• Stair / Railing okay

TREADS

• Treads are smaller than 10”  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• The stair treads do not possess a “nosing”
• Risers are taller than 7 ¾”  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Stair risers / treads possess more than a 3/8” difference between them  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 

RAILING

• Missing – Railings are needed one one side when there are more than 4 risers  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Loose railings  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• Low railings – are not between 34-42”
• Damaged railing  (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 
• The space between “pickets” is wider than 4”   (Hazard to small children) (*DIY TIP: This is a hazard) 

Garage Windows

• Window is Okay
• Cracked window
• Window is difficult to operate
• Fogged window
• Inaccessible window

Free DIY garage home Inspection Checklist

For anyone attempting to perform their own home inspection they are going to need a powerful checklist.  First of all, the Free DIY home inspection checklist is a complete guide to inspecting a home without the use of a professional individual home inspector. As a matter of fact, the checklist is so thorough it will take you through the entire house section by section.  Secondly, the list was designed by a professional home inspector of ver 25 years and with over 15,000 home inspections performed.

Santa Clarita Home Inspection free Garage DIY Checklist

Although the use of a FREE home inspection checklist is all inclusive its likely that will encounter situations or conditions which require additional evaluations. in which case, a professional contractor may be required.  On the other hand, we’re here for many questions which you may have when using the free DIY home inspection checklist.