Is evaluating water softeners and purifiers part of a typical home inspection?

Evaluating water softeners and purifiers is generally excluded from a typical home inspection. Home inspectors typically focus on the overall safety, structure, and functioning of the home’s major systems, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, and foundational issues. While they may check for visible signs of water softening systems or purifiers, detailed evaluation of these systems is often outside the scope of a routine inspection, particularly because these systems can be complex and functional performance assessments may require specialized knowledge or equipment.

In most cases, home inspectors are not expected to test the performance of these systems or verify the quality of water being treated. Instead, the primary goal of a home inspection is to identify any significant issues that could affect the home’s safety or value. Aspects like water quality and softening can be addressed through specialized assessments if necessary but fall outside standard inspection protocol.