A home inspection is always a wise choice when purchasing a home. An inspector will go through the property and look at a number of systems and home features, identifying potential problems or defects. Buyers can then use this information to ask the seller to complete repairs or knock down the asking price.

While this process is certainly helpful, buyers should be aware that a home inspection won't give a completely comprehensive look at a property. Certain features are excluded from the inspection, and problems can still crop up even if a part of the home doesn't raise any red flags with the inspector.

In general, home inspections work by completing a visual assessment of the property. Inspectors are also able to physically interact with some home features, taking steps such as flushing the toilet and testing electrical outlets to identify any obvious problems. But they won't be able to take a closer look at some areas.

This limitation will eliminate several parts of the home from the inspection report. J.B. Landers, writing for Angie's List, says the inspector won't take any destructive steps such as opening up a wall to look at the wiring or excavating an underground pipe.

Connecticut's Home Inspection Standards of Practice say inspectors are not required to take any steps that could risk injuring them or damaging the property. The standards say inspectors generally won't move equipment or personal property to get a closer look at part of the home, and they also won't be required to dig out any snow or ice that might be blocking the foundation or another exterior component.

Heavy furniture may be blocking electrical outlets or other parts of the home that would normally be included in an inspection. Lisa Kaplan Gordon, writing for the National Association of Realtors, says an inspector won't try to haul this furniture out of the way to see if an outlet is functioning. However, they may ask that the seller move any bulky items in advance of their visit.

Inspectors need to check the roof for signs of leaks or other problems, and may use a ladder to get a closer look or even climb onto the roof. However, they may instead use binoculars if the roof is too high or steep, if there is inclement weather on inspection day, or if they would otherwise feel unsafe on the roof. The Connecticut Home Inspection Standards of Practice say inspectors are not required to enter any areas considered dangerous or inaccessible, including hard to reach attics or crawlspaces.

The interior of the chimney is also considered an inaccessible area. Gordon says the inspection typically checks to see that the dampers are working, and the inspector will use a flashlight to look at the inside of the chimney and see if there are any major blockages. A more comprehensive inspection will usually require a separate visit.

Buried items will not be checked out in the typical inspection. These include private wells, septic tanks, sewer lines, lawn sprinklers, or underground fuel tanks.

Other features away from the primary residence are often excluded as well. An inspector may check to make sure a swimming pool's pump and heater are working, but won't delve into the condition of the pool itself. Connecticut's standards say detached garages should be included in the inspection, but inspectors are not required to look at other outbuildings.

While some issues are covered under special inspections, they may not be available during a basic inspection. Isley's Home Service Inc., an Arizona home repair company, says an inspection generally won't look for termite damage or for hazardous materials in the property's air, soil, or water.

Even if a system passes muster during the inspection, it's no guarantee that it won't fail later on. Catherine Sherman, writing for the real estate site Zillow, says some issues may only become apparent at certain times of year. For example, an air conditioning system tested during mild temperatures may perform well, only to break down under the heavier strain of cooling the home on a hot day.

An inspector may offer some advice on a potential problem or go beyond the regular requirements as long as they can do so without causing personal risk or damage. Asking the inspector to outline what they will examine will give you an idea of what will be covered and what areas may need to be scrutinized in a separate inspection.