US and Canadian checklists miss things that matter in Mexico, and include things that don't apply. This glossary explains the local systems InspectoMX is built around — what each is, and why it belongs in your inspection.
Water
Cisterna — cistern
An underground or ground-level water storage tank. Because municipal supply can be intermittent, most homes store water in a cisterna and pump it up as needed. Inspect for leaks, cracks, contamination, and the condition of the lid and access.
Tinaco — rooftop tank
A rooftop water tank that feeds the home by gravity. Check the tank's condition, mounting, float valve, and connections. A failing float valve is a common, easy-to-miss defect.
Bomba — water pump
The pump (often with a pressure system) that moves water from the cisterna to the tinaco or pressurizes the house. Note the type, operation, leaks, and noise.
Municipal water connection — e.g. SEAPAL, SIAPA, CEA
The local water utility connection and meter. The utility's name varies by city (SEAPAL in Puerto Vallarta, SIAPA in Guadalajara, and others elsewhere), but the item is the same: the connection, meter, and account.
Gas
Gas LP — liquefied petroleum gas
Most Mexican homes run on LP gas, not natural gas. It arrives one of two ways: a stationary tank (estacionario) refilled by truck, or portable cylinders (cilindros). Inspect the tank or cylinders, the regulator, lines, and connections for leaks and corrosion — this is a safety-critical system.
Electrical
CFE — Comisión Federal de Electricidad
Mexico's national electricity utility. The service, meter (medidor), and panel connect to CFE. Verify the meter, main panel, grounding, and note any informal or unsafe wiring.
Hot water & climate
Calentador — water heater
Comes in several forms: de paso (tankless/on-demand), de depósito (tank), or solar (a rooftop solar heater, common in sunny regions). Identify the type, fuel, age, venting, and condition.
Mini-split — ductless AC
The dominant cooling system — wall-mounted units rather than central ducted air. Check each unit's operation, mounting, condensate drainage, and the outdoor condenser.
Building envelope & pests
Impermeabilización — roof waterproofing
Flat concrete roofs are sealed with a waterproof membrane or coating that must be renewed periodically. Failed impermeabilización is a leading cause of leaks and interior damage — inspect the roof surface, drains, and parapets.
Salitre / humedad — salt damage / damp
Rising damp and salt efflorescence in masonry, worsened near the coast. Look for staining, blistering paint, and crumbling plaster at wall bases.
Comején — termites
Subterranean and drywood termites are common, especially in humid and coastal areas. Check wood elements, door and window frames, and roof structures for mud tubes and damage.
Coastal corrosion
Salt air accelerates corrosion of metal fixtures, rebar, railings, and mechanical equipment near the coast. Note rust, spalling concrete (exposed rebar), and deteriorating hardware.
Sanitation
Fosa séptica — septic system
Common where there's no municipal sewer. Note the presence and, where accessible, the condition — though a full septic evaluation is typically a specialist's scope.
Legal & coastal flags
Fideicomiso — bank trust
Foreigners buying within the "restricted zone" (near coasts and borders) typically hold property through a bank trust. Not a building system, but a legal fact worth noting for foreign buyers.
ZOFEMAT — federal maritime zone
The federal zone along the shoreline. Structures or use within it carry special restrictions and concessions — a flag to raise on beachfront properties.
Ejido
Communally held land that may lack clear private title. An ejido-origin property is a legal risk flag worth surfacing so the buyer can seek proper counsel.
An inspection built for Mexico
These systems are baked into InspectoMX's checklists. Try it free for 7 days and see.
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