Winter Inspections: What to Expect

Buying or selling a home in Brandon or Westman this winter? Snow and cold can limit what's visible during a home inspection, but winter can also reveal a lot. Here's what to expect.

RESIDENTIALFOR REALTORS

Homes are bought and sold all year in Brandon and the Westman area, including in the middle of a Manitoba winter. If you're buying a home this winter, you might wonder whether a home inspection is still worth it when the yard is buried in snow and it's well below freezing outside.

The short answer is yes. Winter does change what an inspector can see, but it can also reveal things that are harder to spot in warmer months. Here's what to expect.

What Snow and Cold Can Limit

Some parts of a home simply can't be fully seen or tested in winter conditions.

Roof coverings: When the roof is covered in snow or ice, the shingles or roofing material can't be fully seen. Walking a snowy or icy roof isn't safe, so the roof may only be viewed from the ground or the edges, where possible.
Grading and drainage: Snow hides how the ground slopes around the foundation, and you can't watch how water drains away from the house.
Air conditioning: Central air conditioners and heat pumps in cooling mode generally shouldn't be run when outdoor temperatures are too low, because doing so can damage the equipment. In winter, A/C often can't be operated during the inspection.
Exterior items: Snow and ice can cover decks, patios, walkways, driveways, window wells, the lower part of siding and the foundation, and exterior features like hose bibs and outdoor outlets.
Outdoor systems: Things like irrigation systems, pools and hot tubs are often winterized and shut down.

What Winter Can Actually Reveal

Cold weather puts a home to work, and that can tell you a lot.

Heating performance: The furnace or boiler is running when it's needed most, so you can see how the heating system is operating and whether rooms are being heated.
Drafts and air leaks: Cold air coming in around windows, doors, outlets and attic hatches is often easier to notice in winter.
Frost and ice dams: Frost in the attic, large icicles, or ice building up along the eaves can point to heat loss, air leakage or ventilation issues.
Condensation: Moisture or frost on windows, and condensation in attics or on cold surfaces, can be signs of humidity or ventilation concerns.
Snow melt patterns: Snow melting unevenly on the roof can sometimes hint at areas where heat is escaping.

How Joe Handles Winter Limitations

A good inspection report tells you what was inspected, and it also tells you what couldn't be. When snow, ice or cold temperatures prevent part of the home from being seen or tested, Joe notes those limitations in the report. That way you know which areas weren't fully evaluated, and you can decide with your realtor how you'd like to handle them, such as asking the seller questions, asking for more information, or arranging for those items to be looked at later.

Tips for Buyers Booking a Winter Inspection

A little preparation helps the inspection go smoothly and lets Joe see as much as possible.

Ask that snow be cleared: Paths to entrances, the furnace exhaust and intake vents, the electrical meter, the gas meter and around the foundation, where possible, all help.
Make sure utilities are on: Water, power and gas (or other fuel) need to be on so systems can be operated.
Check attic and crawl space access: Ask that hatches aren't blocked by stored items or furniture, and that access to the furnace, water heater and electrical panel is clear.
Attend if you can: Being there lets you ask questions and see things firsthand.
Ask about follow-ups: If parts of the home couldn't be inspected because of winter conditions, ask Joe what options might be available and talk with your realtor about how to address them in your offer.

Tips for Sellers

If you're selling this winter, you can help buyers and inspectors by clearing snow from walkways, entrances and around the house, keeping the heat and utilities on, and making sure the attic hatch, furnace and electrical panel are easy to reach.

How a Professional Inspection Helps

Winter or not, a home inspection gives you an independent, visual look at the condition of a home before you buy, so you can make your decision with clear information instead of guesswork.

Just to be clear about what we do: Just Call Joe Inspections is a home and commercial property inspection company. We inspect and report on what we find. We're not a contractor and we don't do repairs, and we're not municipal building inspectors. Our job is to give you clear, unbiased information so you can make good decisions about your property.

Buying This Winter? Just Call Joe

Don't let the snow put off your inspection. If you're buying or selling a home in Brandon or the Westman area this winter, contact Just Call Joe Inspections to book your home inspection.