A kitchen inspection is the portion of a standard home inspection where the inspector visually examines and operationally tests the room’s built-in systems: appliances that convey with the home, cabinets and counters, the sink and its plumbing, electrical outlets and GFCI protection, the range hood’s venting, the disposal, and the supply lines feeding it all. It’s non-invasive, so it has real limits.
The kitchen packs more systems into one room than almost anywhere else in the house. Plumbing, electrical, ventilation, gas (in many San Diego homes), and a cluster of expensive appliances all live within a few feet of each other. When something here is wrong, it tends to be costly or hazardous, which is why a careful walkthrough of the kitchen is part of every buyer’s inspection we perform. Here’s what gets checked, how it gets checked, and just as importantly, what doesn’t.
Built-in appliances: an operational test, not a warranty
Appliances that are permanently installed or that convey with the sale – the dishwasher, built-in oven, cooktop or range, microwave, and sometimes a wine fridge or warming drawer – get an operational test. That means the inspector turns each one on and confirms it responds to a basic control, then watches for an obvious failure.
- Range and cooktop: burners are lit or energized to confirm they ignite or heat. On gas units, the inspector watches the flame quality. On electric and induction, each element is checked for response.
- Oven: turned on to confirm it heats. The inspector does not certify temperature accuracy or that a self-clean cycle works.
- Dishwasher: run through a short cycle to check that it fills, runs, and drains without leaking at the air gap or under the cabinet.
- Built-in microwave: tested for basic operation; the inspector also notes whether it vents outside or recirculates.
This is the single most misunderstood part of a kitchen inspection. An operational test confirms an appliance turns on and performs its basic function on the day of the inspection. It is not a guarantee of remaining service life, an efficiency rating, or a sign that every feature works. A refrigerator that cools today can still fail next month. We report what we observe, and we always recommend buyers budget for aging appliances rather than assume a passing test means years of trouble-free use.
Cabinets and countertops
The inspector opens a representative sample of cabinets and drawers to check that doors and hardware operate, that shelving is secure, and that there’s no sign of water damage, swelling, or active leaks at the cabinet base – especially the one under the sink, which is where slow leaks hide. Countertops are checked for secure mounting, and the backsplash and the seam where the counter meets the wall are looked at for gaps that let water reach the cabinet below.
Cosmetic wear – a chipped laminate edge, dated tile, a scratched surface – is generally noted but isn’t a defect. What matters is whether water is getting somewhere it shouldn’t and whether anything is loose enough to be a safety or function problem.
Sink, faucet, and plumbing leaks
The faucet is run at hot and cold to confirm flow and reasonable drainage, and the sprayer is tested if there is one. The inspector then looks under the sink – flashlight in hand – at the supply valves, the P-trap, and the drain connections for active drips, corrosion, prior repairs, or water staining. The dishwasher drain line and disposal connections are inspected here too, since they share that cabinet.
San Diego’s older housing stock makes this section worth real attention. Homes from the mid-century era can still have galvanized supply lines or cast-iron drains that corrode from the inside out, and a kitchen sink is a common spot to catch early evidence. If we see signs of an aging plumbing system, we’ll flag it and may recommend a closer look – our sewer scope service is a separate evaluation for the main drain line, which a standard inspection does not run a camera through.
GFCI outlets and kitchen electrical
Modern code requires GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection on the outlets serving kitchen countertops, because water and electricity are inches apart. The inspector tests accessible countertop receptacles to confirm they’re GFCI-protected and that the protection trips and resets correctly. Outlets are also checked for correct wiring polarity and grounding.
In older San Diego homes, it’s common to find kitchen outlets with no GFCI protection at all, two-prong ungrounded receptacles, or a single GFCI device that’s supposed to protect a string of outlets but doesn’t. These are safety findings, not cosmetic ones, and they’re usually inexpensive to correct – which makes them good items to raise during negotiation.
Range hood venting and the disposal
The range hood or over-range microwave is tested for fan and light operation, and the inspector notes whether it vents to the exterior or simply recirculates air back into the room through a charcoal filter. Recirculating units aren’t a defect, but buyers should know the difference – true exterior venting does a far better job with moisture and cooking byproducts.
The garbage disposal is run to confirm it operates without unusual noise, leaks at the housing, or signs that it’s seized. The inspector also confirms it’s wired safely and, where present, that the dishwasher drains through it correctly.
Water supply lines and shutoffs
Beyond the sink, the inspector checks the supply line and shutoff valve for the refrigerator’s ice maker or water dispenser where accessible, and the dishwasher supply connection. Braided stainless lines are preferred over older plastic or rubber ones, which can fail and flood a kitchen. Accessible shutoff valves are noted, though inspectors generally don’t force corroded valves that could break.
What a kitchen inspection does not cover
A general home inspection is visual and non-invasive, so several things are outside its scope:
- Hidden conditions: we don’t open walls, move heavy appliances bolted in place, or access plumbing concealed behind cabinetry or under slabs.
- Appliance longevity or recalls: we report function on the day of inspection, not remaining life, recall status, or repair history.
- Cosmetic preferences: dated finishes, scratches, and style aren’t defects.
- Gas leak testing and specialized diagnostics: we observe and flag concerns but don’t perform pressure tests; a licensed plumber or the gas utility handles that.
- Pest and water-damage causation: if we see evidence suggesting a wood-destroying organism, we recommend a licensed pest operator, since termite/WDO work is a separate licensed discipline.
For a fuller picture of where every inspection draws its lines, see our guide on what a home inspection doesn’t cover, and our overview of what’s included in a standard inspection.
Get a clear read on your kitchen
The kitchen is where small problems – a slow leak, a missing GFCI, a tired disposal – quietly add up. A thorough inspection puts those items in writing so you can negotiate or plan around them. To schedule with Joseph Romeo, InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector, call (619) 752-4399 or reach out through our contact page. Always verify findings and consult the appropriate licensed professional before making repair decisions.
