{"id":21628,"date":"2026-02-05T04:19:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T12:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=21628"},"modified":"2026-02-06T21:13:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T05:13:29","slug":"whats-not-covered-in-a-home-inspection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/whats-not-covered-in-a-home-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Not Covered in a Home Inspection? 8 Items Home Inspectors Pass Over"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re like most sellers, you hope to pass the home inspection\u2019s 1,600-feature check<\/a> with flying colors so you can sail through closing. While it\u2019s a smart move to complete necessary repairs beforehand, don\u2019t go overboard and waste your time (and money) on items not covered in the report.<\/p>\n

Your home inspector won\u2019t test every lightbulb, break open the walls to examine electrical, or dig into your underground septic system. Home inspectors are overall evaluators \u2014 not licensed electricians, plumbers, or HVAC technicians. Their primary role is to search for structural issues, mechanical defects, and health and safety concerns<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome inspectors wear a lot of hats, but they\u2019re not necessarily an expert in every area,\u201d says top agent <\/span>Jason Mickelson<\/span><\/a>, who has over 10 years of experience serving the <\/span>Ames, Iowa<\/span><\/a> market.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to mention, the average home inspection takes between two and two and a half hours<\/a> (an hour to an hour and a half for condos), which is hardly enough time to drive a shovel into the ground to take a peek at your septic system.<\/p>\n

To uncover what\u2019s not covered in a home inspection, we checked in with Mickelson and Kathleen Kuhn, <\/span>HouseMaster<\/span><\/a> President and CEO and a licensed home inspector. HouseMaster is the oldest and one of the largest home inspection companies in North America, with <\/span>over 200<\/span> franchises across the U.S. and in Canada. Here are eight items not included in a standard home inspection:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. The sewer line<\/h2>\n

Most inspectors will not look at the sewer line<\/a> in a standard home inspection, which connects your home to the city line. However, Kuhn shares that an increasing number of buyers are requesting an additional inspection service from a plumbing and drain company to check the sewer for cracks, tree roots, clogs, or any collapsed lines<\/a>. Using a video camera, a specialist will scope the line and detect any repairs that may be needed. Because these repairs are often expensive, says Kuhn, \u201cyou may want to consider having these inspections before a buyer comes along as these issues will require immediate repair.\u201d<\/p>\n

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2. Paint, wallpaper, and other finishes<\/h2>\n

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), inspectors are not required to inspect \u201c<\/span>paint, wallpaper, or other finish treatments<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose are purely cosmetic and not something the inspector will \u2014 or should \u2014 point out,\u201d adds Mickelson, who recently worked with a seller who asked if he should <\/span>paint his interior<\/span><\/a> before the home inspection.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, \u201cwhen an inspector identifies peeling paint, they are generally going to assess the potential <\/span>cause,<\/span> if any,\u201d says Kuhn. <\/span>Three common causes<\/span><\/a> for peeling or cracking paint are:<\/span><\/p>\n