A home inspection examines the roof, structure, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, insulation and safety features, and buyers should focus on the major system and structural findings over cosmetic ones. The goal is to understand a home’s true condition and the real cost of any repairs before conditions are waived.
Knowing how to read an inspection report is as important as getting one. A long report can look alarming, but most homes have minor issues, and the skill is telling those apart from the few that truly matter.
Jason Polonski is a full-time Ottawa and Kanata REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty whose construction and electrical trades background helps buyers interpret findings accurately. Buyers can reach him by phone at (613) 601-9333 or by email at polonskiottawa@gmail.com. This guide builds on his overview of home inspections in Ottawa, and the inspection itself should be performed by a qualified professional accredited by the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors or the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors.
The Roof and Exterior
The roof is one of the most expensive components to replace, so the inspector notes its age, material and condition. Missing, curling or cracked shingles, and any sign of past leaks, all point to potential costs.
The exterior covers siding, grading, drainage, decks and walkways. Ground that slopes toward the house, poor drainage, or damaged cladding can lead to water problems and deserve attention in the report.
Buyers should weigh a roof near the end of its life carefully, since replacement is a significant expense that can become a negotiating point.
Structure and Foundation
Structural findings are the most serious an inspection can surface. The inspector looks at the foundation, walls, floors and overall framing for cracks, settling, movement or water intrusion.
Hairline cracks are common and often harmless, but wide, horizontal or stair-step cracks, along with sloping floors or sticking doors, can signal a structural concern. Jason’s trades background helps buyers understand which findings are cosmetic and which require an engineer’s opinion.
Because structural repairs are costly, any significant finding here warrants a closer look before proceeding.
The Electrical System
The electrical inspection covers the panel, wiring, grounding, outlets and capacity. In older Ottawa homes, the wiring type matters a great deal for both safety and insurance.
Knob-and-tube wiring, common before the 1950s, and aluminum wiring, used in some 1960s and 1970s homes, can raise safety and insurability concerns. An undersized or outdated panel is another frequent finding, and the Electrical Safety Authority is the authority on these issues in Ontario.
Jason’s electrical trades background makes him especially alert to wiring and panel problems that affect both cost and safety.
The Plumbing System
The plumbing inspection checks pipes, water pressure, drainage, fixtures and the water heater. The material of the supply pipes matters, since older galvanized steel can corrode and restrict flow.
Inspectors look for leaks, corrosion, slow drains and signs of past water damage. The age of the water heater is noted too, as it is a predictable future replacement.
None of these is necessarily a deal-breaker, but together they help a buyer budget for near-term maintenance.
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Heating, Cooling and Ventilation
Ottawa’s climate makes heating and cooling essential, so the inspector assesses the furnace, air conditioning, ductwork and ventilation. The age and condition of the furnace and AC are key, since both are costly to replace.
Poor ventilation contributes to moisture and air-quality problems, so the report notes it. An aging furnace heading into an Ottawa winter is a practical concern worth factoring into the decision.
Energy efficiency ties in here, and Natural Resources Canada offers guidance on insulation and efficient systems that affect long-term costs.
Interior, Insulation and Moisture
Inside, the inspector reviews floors, walls, ceilings, windows, insulation and any signs of moisture. Water stains, dampness, efflorescence on foundation walls or visible mould all point to moisture issues that need investigation.
Adequate insulation and proper attic ventilation matter for comfort and energy bills in Ottawa’s climate. Guidance on managing moisture and mould is available from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Ottawa Public Health.
Moisture is often the root cause of larger problems, so its presence in a report deserves a careful read.
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Safety Hazards
A good inspection flags safety concerns beyond the major systems. These include the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and older-home risks such as asbestos and lead paint.
Radon is a separate, invisible risk that a standard inspection does not cover. Because Ottawa has elevated radon potential, Health Canada recommends every home be tested, which is done as a separate test.
Identifying these hazards early lets a buyer plan for remediation or reconsider the purchase.
How to Read the Inspection Report
The report can run dozens of pages, so the key is separating major issues from minor ones. Most findings are routine maintenance or cosmetic notes; a small number are significant.
Major concerns are structural problems, an aging roof or furnace, electrical safety issues and moisture or mould. Minor items, such as a dripping faucet or a cracked tile, are easy and cheap to fix and rarely affect a decision.
Jason helps buyers prioritize the findings and estimate real repair costs, turning a daunting report into a clear picture of what a home will actually require.
Red Flags and Potential Deal-Breakers
Some findings warrant a much closer look or a renegotiation. The table below summarizes the ones that matter most.
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Structural or foundation movement | Expensive to repair; may need an engineer |
| Roof at the end of its life | A major near-term replacement cost |
| Knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring | Safety and home insurance concerns |
| Water damage or active mould | Points to hidden and ongoing problems |
| Aging furnace or AC | Costly replacement, urgent in winter |
| Asbestos or lead paint | Remediation cost and health risk |
A red flag is not always a reason to walk away, but each is a reason to investigate further and factor into the offer.
What to Do With the Findings
The inspection report is a tool, not just information. It is completed during the conditions period, one of the standard steps the Canadian Real Estate Association outlines, and when it comes back clean, the buyer can waive the inspection condition with confidence.
When it uncovers problems, the buyer can request a price reduction, ask the seller to complete repairs, negotiate a credit, or walk away if the issues are serious. Jason’s guide to negotiating a better deal explains how to use findings as leverage.
Some buyers knowingly take on a home that needs work, and the inspection is essential to price the risk. Jason’s guides to buying a home that needs work and buying an older home in Ottawa explain how to budget for the repairs a report reveals.
How Jason Polonski Helps Buyers
Reading an inspection report well takes real knowledge of how homes are built, and Jason brings exactly that. His hands-on background in construction and the electrical trades, plus a technical diploma in Construction Electricity, lets him interpret findings many buyers and agents cannot.
He attends inspections with his buyers, helps translate the report into a clear plan, and estimates repair costs realistically so the numbers drive the decision. Hundreds of buyers and sellers across Ottawa have trusted him with their purchases.
He has been recognized as Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® for 2026, seven years running, along with Top Choice REALTOR® honours for Kanata and Stittsville. More is on the About Jason Polonski page, and current reviews are on his Google Business Profile.
Ready to Buy with Confidence in Ottawa?
Understanding an inspection report is one of the most valuable skills a buyer can have, and an agent who knows building systems makes it far easier. Jason Polonski helps buyers read findings accurately and act on them.
A short, no-obligation conversation about goals, budget and timeline is the best place to begin. Buyers can reach Jason directly by phone at (613) 601-9333 or by email at polonskiottawa@gmail.com, or return to the full buying a house in Ottawa guide for more.
What to Look for in a Home Inspection (FAQs)
An inspection examines the roof, structure, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, insulation, and safety features. Buyers should focus on major system and structural findings rather than cosmetic notes.
The most serious findings are structural or foundation movement, a roof at the end of its life, knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, water damage or active mould, and an aging furnace. Each warrants a closer look and may affect the offer.
A standard inspection typically takes two to four hours, depending on the size, age and condition of the home. Buyers are encouraged to attend so they can ask questions and see any issues firsthand.
No. Radon requires a separate test, and because Ottawa has elevated radon potential, Health Canada recommends that every home be tested. A standard inspection does not measure radon levels.
Not always. Many findings are minor or routine maintenance. Serious issues such as structural problems or major system failures are reasons to renegotiate or, in some cases, walk away.
Buyers reach out by phone at (613) 601-9333 or email at polonskiottawa@gmail.com. Jason begins with a no-obligation conversation about goals, budget and timeline before the search begins.
