Understanding Your Inspection Report: A Plain-English Glossary

Common terms, translated

• Active leak — water is currently getting in, not just evidence of a past leak. Usually worth prioritizing.
• Deferred maintenance — normal upkeep the previous owner put off. Often routine, sometimes adds up.
• Environmental hazard — a substance (mold, asbestos, radon) that may need specialist testing beyond a general inspection.
• Functional — working as intended, even if old or worn. Not the same as "in good condition."
• Grading — how the yard slopes relative to the foundation. Improper grading can direct water toward the house.
• Load-bearing — a wall or beam holding up structural weight. Never remove or alter without a professional.
• Moisture intrusion — water getting somewhere it shouldn't, whether or not damage is visible yet.
• Penetration — any point where something passes through a wall, roof, or foundation (pipes, vents, wires) — a common place for leaks to start.
• Sistering — reinforcing a weakened joist or beam by attaching a new one alongside it, rather than full replacement.
• Trip hazard — an uneven surface or obstruction, often flagged for liability reasons even when minor.
• Vapor barrier — a layer that blocks moisture from passing through a wall, floor, or crawl space.
• Weep holes — small gaps in brick veneer that let trapped moisture drain out. Blocking them (with paint or debris) can trap water instead.

Why the wording matters

Inspectors often flag things for liability reasons even when the risk is low — "recommend further evaluation" doesn't always mean something is seriously wrong, just that it's outside what a general inspection can fully assess. Reading a report term-by-term instead of reacting to alarming words alone leads to a much more accurate picture.