When you buy a house, the appliances often come with it, and they're easy to overlook next to the roof, the foundation and the electrical panel. A general home inspector will usually operate the major appliances briefly, but a quick on-off test doesn't tell you whether the oven holds temperature, whether the washer leaks on spin, or whether the dryer vent is packed with lint. In Philadelphia, where many rowhouses have been owned by the same family for decades, the appliances can be considerably older than they look.
Use this checklist alongside your inspector's work during the inspection period, while you still have time to ask questions.
First, confirm what's actually included
- Read the agreement of sale to see which appliances convey. Don't assume the basement freezer or the second fridge is included.
- Ask for manuals, receipts and any warranty paperwork the seller has. Even a list of past repairs is useful.
- Photograph every model and serial label. You'll use them to estimate age and check recalls.
Room-by-room test checklist
| Location | Appliance | Test during the visit | Ask or note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Refrigerator | Thermometer on a middle shelf and in the freezer; listen to the compressor | Age, any ice maker leaks, water line condition behind the unit |
| Kitchen | Range or cooktop | Light or heat every burner; check the flame on gas burners | Anti-tip bracket present; gas connector type and age |
| Kitchen | Oven | Preheat to 350°F with your own oven thermometer | Self-clean history, door gasket condition |
| Kitchen | Dishwasher | Run a short cycle; check under the sink afterward | Standing water, leaks at the supply or drain connection |
| Kitchen | Microwave and hood | Heat a cup of water; run the hood fan and light | Where the hood vents, and whether the filter is clean |
| Basement or closet | Washer | Fill, drain and spin cycle | Hose type and age, condition of shutoff valves, floor drain or pan |
| Basement or closet | Dryer | Run with heat; feel the airflow outside | Vent material, route and length; gas or electric; outlet type |
| Basement or garage | Extra fridge or freezer | Thermometer check | Whether it's included, and whether it's suited to that space |
Things that matter in older Philadelphia houses
Gas appliances
Many rowhouses have gas ranges and gas dryers. Look at the connectors behind them. Old uncoated brass connectors should be replaced. The gas shutoff valves in long-held homes may be original and stiff. Don't force them; flag them for the inspector or a plumber. Confirm there are working carbon monoxide alarms. If anything smells like gas during the visit, stop, leave the house and call PGW from outside.
Electrical hookups
Older homes may still have two-prong outlets in the kitchen, or a three-prong dryer outlet where newer dryers expect four. Neither is an appliance repair item, but it affects what you can safely plug in, and it's worth mentioning to your inspector or an electrician.
Basement water history
Look for rust at the base of the washer, dryer or freezer, water lines on the walls, and a cleared floor drain. Basement appliances that have been through a flood may not show problems right away. If the seller discloses past flooding, see the basement flooding appliance checklist for what to ask.
New construction
Newer rowhomes often put laundry on the second floor. Check for a drain pan under the washer, a water sensor, and how far the dryer vent runs. Ask about remaining manufacturer warranty coverage, which may transfer with the house depending on the brand's terms.
Estimating appliance age
The serial number usually encodes the manufacture date, though each brand does it differently. Many manufacturers explain the format on their support sites, or you can call the brand with the model and serial. An appliance near the end of its typical life isn't a deal-breaker, but it's useful for budgeting and for negotiations.
Check for recalls
Search each model number on the CPSC recall site. Recalls follow the appliance, not the owner, so a previous owner may never have had a fix done. The recall checklist explains how.
After you move in
Replace old washer hoses, clean the dryer vent, and run through each appliance once more when you're settled. The used range checklist is also handy if you plan to swap the range.
Source
When to call: if an included appliance fails a basic test and you'd like a closer look before closing, or something stops working in the first weeks after you move in, we can diagnose it and give you a written estimate, along with an honest opinion on whether it's worth repairing. See our residential services for details.