A simple DIY exterior checklist to spot major red flags before your home inspection.
This guide helps you spot common exterior issues, but it doesn’t replace a licensed inspection or specialist evaluation.
A home inspection gives you a high-level look at a property’s condition — focusing on visible issues that affect safety, function, and long-term maintenance. Doing your own quick exterior walkthrough first can help you spot obvious problems early and know what questions to ask. This guide covers the exterior only: roof, gutters, foundation, drainage, windows, and doors — the areas most exposed to weather and wear.
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What an Exterior Inspection Covers
An exterior inspection is a visual review of the outside parts of the home that are accessible and safe to examine. Inspectors look for major defects, water intrusion risks, structural concerns, and conditions that could lead to expensive repairs — especially around the roof, gutters, foundation, exterior walls, and drainage patterns.
What inspectors don’t do: They won’t open walls, remove materials, or test hidden systems. And they don’t replace specialty inspections for termites, mold, sewer lines, or structural engineering — those require licensed specialists if concerns come up.
DIY Exterior Inspection Checklist (Before the Inspector Arrives)
A quick 10–15 minute walkaround can help you spot obvious issues early and understand what the inspector is pointing out later. You don’t need tools — just look for visible signs of wear, water damage, or movement.
Quick checklist:
Look at the roofline from the ground for sagging, uneven areas, or missing shingles
Check exterior walls for peeling paint, staining, soft spots, or visible cracks
Inspect gutters for clogs, overflow marks, rust, or sections pulling away
Follow downspouts to confirm water is directed away from the foundation
Walk the perimeter to look for foundation cracks, gaps, or settled soil
Check the yard slope to see whether water flows toward the house or away
Step across decks, porches, stairs, and driveways for movement or uneven surfaces
Look around windows and doors for gaps, rot, failed caulking, or water staining
Roof: What to Look For
Roof issues matter because they’re one of the fastest ways water can enter a home — leading to interior staining, mold, damaged insulation, and expensive repairs. Even small roof problems can turn into major inspection findings because water intrusion often spreads beyond what you can see.
You don’t need to climb the roof to spot early warning signs. Stand back and inspect the roofline, edges, and visible penetrations from the ground.
Gutters and Downspouts: Water Control
Gutters and downspouts matter because they control where rainwater goes. When they fail, water spills against the exterior, soaks into walls, and collects near the foundation — causing staining, rot, crawlspace moisture, and long-term structural issues.
Most gutter problems are visible from the ground if you know what to look for.
Foundation and Structure: Signs of Movement
Foundation and structural movement matters because it can affect how the home settles, how water drains, and how other systems perform over time. Not every crack is serious — but patterns of movement can raise questions during inspection and may influence repairs or negotiations.
You don’t need to diagnose the cause. The goal is to notice signs that suggest the structure should be monitored or evaluated further.
Grading and Drainage: Where Water Goes
Grading and drainage matter because water that collects near the home can lead to foundation moisture, interior leaks, rot, mold, and long-term damage. Even if the exterior looks fine, poor drainage can quietly create issues over time — especially during heavy rain.
You can check drainage in both dry weather and after rain by looking for where water would naturally flow and where it tends to collect.
Decks, Porches, and Driveways: Safety and Wear
Decks, porches, steps, and driveways are high-traffic areas that inspectors often flag because they involve safety and liability. Visible wear, instability, and trip hazards can show up quickly in a report — even if the rest of the home looks well maintained.
A simple walk across these areas can reveal whether surfaces feel solid, level, and secure.
Windows and Doors: Seals and Water Intrusion
Windows and doors are common entry points for water and air leaks. When seals fail, moisture can enter walls and framing, and issues can show up later as staining, swelling, mold, or higher heating and cooling costs.
A quick exterior check helps you spot early signs of seal failure or water intrusion.
What Exterior Problems Usually Lead To Inside
Exterior issues often show up inside later — even when the outside damage seems minor. Water intrusion, poor drainage, and failed seals can travel into walls, ceilings, and insulation before the source becomes obvious.
These interior clues don’t confirm a specific cause by themselves, but they help you connect patterns and ask better questions during an inspection.
Next Step: Document Issues and Ask Better Questions
After your exterior walkaround, the next step is to document what you noticed so the inspection feels clearer and more useful. You don’t need to diagnose anything — the goal is to capture observations and compare them with what the inspector reports.
This simple prep helps you stay focused, ask better questions, and prioritize the issues that matter most — especially anything related to water, safety, or structural movement.
Talk with a local home buyer
Get a clear, no-pressure overview of what inspection findings may mean for your timeline and selling options.
