Home Inspection
Exterior Surface Inspection
Your home’s exterior takes rain, wind, UV, freeze-thaw cycles, and pests every single day — with no days off. Every crack in the siding, every gap in the caulk, every soft deck board is an open door for water and damage to get inside. We find those doors before they’re kicked in.
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The Exterior Is Where All Interior Damage Starts
Every water stain on an interior ceiling, every soft floor section, every mold problem in a wall cavity — it traces back to a breach in the exterior envelope. A failed caulk joint, a cracked stucco section, a rotting window sill, or a gap under siding is the real origin point. This inspection finds those entry points before they become your living room’s problem.
Inspection Only — Honest Assessment, Zero Sales Pressure
Our technicians walk your entire exterior with one job: document what they find, accurately. If your siding is in great shape, the report says so. If there are issues, you get photos, severity ratings, and clear explanations — not inflated repair estimates designed to create urgency. What you do with the findings is completely your call.
What’s Covered
Six Exterior Systems. One Complete Walk-Around.
Every part of your home’s exterior serves as a barrier between the elements and your structure. We inspect all of them — siding to concrete, fences to window frames — in a single visit.
Siding & Stucco
Siding and stucco are your home’s primary weather shield. Damage here isn’t cosmetic — it’s an open invitation for moisture and pest intrusion directly into your wall assembly.
- Inspect all siding panels for cracks, warping, buckling, or loose sections
- Check stucco for hairline cracks, chips, bubbling, or delamination
- Examine all caulk joints at windows, doors, and corners for gaps or failure
- Look for staining, discoloration, or mold growth indicating moisture behind cladding
- Assess paint or finish condition for peeling, fading, or chalking
- Inspect soffit and fascia for rot, holes, or pest entry points
Windows & Exterior Frames
Window frames and sills are among the most commonly neglected exterior surfaces — and among the most expensive to remediate when rot sets in deep.
- Inspect all window frames and sills for rot, soft spots, or paint failure
- Check flashing above windows for gaps, rust, or improper installation
- Examine caulk lines around frames for cracking or separation
- Look for fogged glass between panes indicating failed thermal seals
- Test window operation and hardware for proper function and security
- Note any water staining below sills suggesting active leakage paths
Decks & Patio Surfaces
Wood decks deteriorate from the underside out — by the time you see surface problems, structural members may already be compromised. Concrete patios crack and settle in ways that direct water toward your foundation.
- Walk the entire deck surface checking for soft, spongy, or splintered boards
- Inspect ledger board attachment at house — the most critical structural connection
- Check all deck posts, footings, and beams for rot, insect damage, or settling
- Test railings for structural integrity and code-compliant height
- Examine patio concrete for cracks, spalling, uneven settling, or drainage issues
- Inspect all fasteners and connectors for corrosion or failure
Fences, Gates & Perimeter
Fencing is easy to neglect until it fails visibly — but leaning posts, rotting rails, and failing hardware create security gaps, liability risks, and costly replacement jobs that could have been prevented.
- Inspect all fence panels for warping, cracking, rot, or missing sections
- Check post bases for ground contact rot or concrete failure
- Test all gates for proper alignment, swing, and secure latching
- Examine hinges and hardware for rust, looseness, or failure
- Identify any sections leaning or pulling away from posts
- Note evidence of pest damage, especially in wood fence rails and posts
Pergolas & Outdoor Structures
Pergolas, trellises, arbors, and shade structures are often installed and then ignored — until a beam fails, a joint separates, or the whole structure shifts enough to become a liability.
- Inspect all beams, rafters, and posts for rot, cracking, or insect damage
- Check all connection points and hardware for corrosion or loosening
- Assess structural stability and any signs of uneven settling or lean
- Examine stain, paint, or sealant condition on all wood surfaces
- Inspect metal or vinyl structures for corrosion, cracking, or joint failure
- Note any sections where water pools or vegetation is accelerating decay
Concrete & Hardscape Surfaces
Driveways, walkways, and foundation perimeters crack and settle over time — and when drainage shifts toward your foundation, the downstream costs are significant.
- Inspect driveway for major cracks, spalling, or surface erosion
- Examine all walkways for trip hazards, settlement gaps, or heaving sections
- Assess drainage slope — all surfaces should direct water away from the home
- Inspect exposed foundation perimeter for cracks, efflorescence, or moisture signs
- Check expansion joints for sealant failure or debris accumulation
- Note any areas where pooling water sits against the structure
Visual Reference Guide
Healthy vs. Damaged — What Each Exterior Surface Should Look Like
Exterior deterioration is gradual and easy to normalize when you see it every day. Here’s what our technicians distinguish — and what most homeowners miss until the damage is already behind the surface.
Siding Condition
✓ Healthy
✗ Concern
Panels flat and uniform, paint adhered, no gaps at joints or around penetrations
Buckled or warped panels, cracked caulk at any joint, dark staining or mold at base of siding
Window Frame & Sill
✓ Healthy
✗ Concern
Firm wood, intact paint and caulk, no water staining below sill, clear glass
Soft or spongy sill, cracked paint at corners, fogged or condensation-filled glass, staining on wall below
Deck Boards & Structure
✓ Healthy
✗ Concern
Boards firm and flat, fasteners flush, railings solid, ledger board fully sealed
Spongy or dark boards, raised fasteners, wobbly railings, visible rot at ledger or post bases
Stucco Finish
✓ Healthy
✗ Concern
Smooth and consistent surface, no cracks wider than a hairline, uniform color throughout
Stair-step or diagonal cracks, bubbling or delamination, dark wet patches after rain has cleared
Driveway & Walkways
✓ Healthy
✗ Concern
Intact surface, joints sealed, drainage slopes away from home, no settled sections
Cracking across slabs, water pooling near foundation, raised edges creating trip hazards
Fence Posts & Rails
✓ Healthy
✗ Concern
Posts plumb and firm at ground, rails intact, hardware rust-free and secure
Leaning posts, soft or punky wood at base, missing rail sections, failing gate hardware
Don’t Ignore These
Six Exterior Warning Signs That Mean Act Now
Exterior deterioration is slow and easy to defer — until a bad storm, a home sale, or an interior water event makes the cost undeniable. These signs mean the clock is already ticking.
Staining Below Any Window or Door
Dark vertical staining on siding below a window or door frame is active water tracking — meaning the seal has failed and water is moving into the wall cavity every time it rains.
Stair-Step or Diagonal Cracks in Stucco
Horizontal or hairline cracks in stucco are often cosmetic. Diagonal or stair-step cracks — especially those that are wide enough to insert a credit card — indicate structural movement and are a direct moisture entry path.
Gaps or Missing Sections at Soffit or Fascia
Any hole or gap at soffit or fascia is an open door for birds, squirrels, bats, and insects to enter your attic — and for water to reach the roof deck. Even small gaps should be addressed immediately.
Spongy or Dark Wood at Deck Post Bases
Rot at deck post bases or the ledger board is a structural safety issue — not just a cosmetic problem. A compromised post base can fail suddenly under load, and ledger rot can disconnect the entire deck from the house.
Water Pooling Near the Foundation
Any area where water sits against or flows toward your foundation after rain is a long-term threat to basement waterproofing, foundation integrity, and crawlspace moisture levels. Drainage issues compound with every storm.
Bubbling or Peeling Exterior Paint
Paint doesn’t bubble on exterior surfaces without a reason. Moisture pushing through from inside the wall or water infiltrating from outside causes paint failure — and what’s visible on the surface is always just part of the story.
The Process
What to Expect During Your Inspection
Your Exterior Surface Inspection is a methodical walk-around of your entire property perimeter. Most visits take 60–90 minutes depending on lot size, number of structures, and property complexity.
Property Overview & Concern Brief
Your technician starts by walking the perimeter with you (or on their own if you’re unavailable) to note any concerns you’ve observed — recent storm damage, areas you’ve been watching, or specific symptoms you’ve noticed.
Systematic Surface-by-Surface Inspection
Every accessible exterior surface is checked: siding, stucco, windows, doors, soffits, decks, patios, fences, outdoor structures, and all concrete hardscape — working methodically around the full perimeter.
Documentation & Photography
All findings are photographed in place and documented with exact locations, severity ratings, and plain-language descriptions of what was found and why it matters. Nothing is summarized vaguely.
Report Delivered in 24 Hours
Your full digital report arrives within 24 hours — surface-by-surface findings, photos, severity ratings (Good / Monitor / Repair Soon / Urgent), and estimated repair costs stored in your customer portal.
What Does an Exterior Surface Inspection Cost?
Pricing varies by property size and number of structures. Get your exact quote in minutes — no obligation to proceed with any repairs.
Before Your Visit
How to Prepare Your Property for Inspection
A few simple steps ensure your technician can access and assess every surface accurately — and safely.
Prep Checklist
- Unlock all gates and access points — your technician needs to walk the full perimeter including any fenced areas, side yards, and backyard structures
- Move vehicles, furniture, and stored items away from siding, fence lines, and deck edges so all surfaces are visible and accessible
- Trim back any overgrown vegetation touching siding, fencing, or deck boards — plants in contact with structure accelerate decay and conceal damage
- Contain or remove pets from the yard during the inspection so technicians can move freely around all areas
- Note any recent events — storms, power washing, tree trimming near the house — so your technician has full context for what they’re looking at
Related Services
Other Home Inspections & Exterior Services
Pair your inspection with these related NorTech services to address findings quickly.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about what the Exterior Surface Inspection covers and what you get from it.
The Exterior Surface Inspection covers all ground-accessible exterior surfaces — siding, stucco, windows, decks, fences, concrete, and outdoor structures. Roofing is covered under our dedicated Roof Inspection service, which involves specialized access and assessment. Both can be booked together for a complete exterior package.
No — this is a diagnostic inspection only. All findings are documented with severity ratings, photos, and estimated repair costs. Any repairs — caulking, siding replacement, deck restoration, stucco patching, or concrete repair — are quoted and scheduled separately through your customer portal. Zero pressure.
Fresh paint can conceal existing problems — and often does. Stucco cracks, rotting window frames, and gaps in caulk can be painted over without being repaired. An inspection after painting is especially valuable because it verifies that the underlying surfaces were properly addressed, not just cosmetically covered.
Most Exterior Surface Inspections take 60–90 minutes for a standard single-family home. Properties with large lots, multiple outbuildings, extensive decking, or complex stucco elevations may take up to 2 hours. The time is spent doing a thorough assessment — not a quick visual pass.
Your report includes surface-by-surface findings organized by location, photos of every flagged issue, severity ratings (Good / Monitor / Repair Soon / Urgent), plain-language explanations of each finding, and estimated repair costs where applicable. The report is stored in your customer portal and can be shared with contractors, real estate agents, or insurance adjusters.
Yes — and we recommend it. The exterior is where most interior moisture problems originate, and interior findings often point back to exterior entry points. Booking both in the same visit gives you a complete picture of your home’s envelope from outside in, and your technician can cross-reference findings between both inspections.
Yes — same-day availability in 100+ cities. If you’ve experienced recent storm damage or need an urgent assessment before a sale or closing deadline, flag the situation when booking and we’ll prioritize your appointment.
