FAQ:

 

What is a home inspection?

• A professional home inspection is a thorough, comprehensive, professional, impartial third-party visual evaluation on the condition of the property, physical structure, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, roofing, interior and exterior of a home.

Why Should I have a home inspection?

• Home Inspections are always a good idea, for both buyers and sellers.
  

• All new home buyers need a thorough inspection for their own protection. This holds true for new homes, new construction or a preowned home.

• Home sellers benefit from home inspections by knowing the condition of their home before they put it on the market. Being well-infomred about the condition of their home and any potential issues will save them from embarrassment if the buyers home inspector finds any major defects with the home. Finding defects with the home may also hold up the buying and selling transaction. Many items found during a home inspection can be fixed at a minimum cost and the buyer will feel more secure about the home if fewer defects are found when their home inspector completes his report.

• It's also a good idea to have your new home inspected before the warranty from the builder expires.

 

What information will an inspection report give me?

Upon completion of the inspection, your home inspector will give you a home inspection report detailing the condition of each item inspected. Included in the Inspection are the following:

• Exterior: -Driveway and Patio -Windows and Storms -Roof Ventilation -Valleys and Flashing -Siding :Trim, Caulking -Electrical Landscaping -Effects on Foundation -Decks, Porches, Balconies -Roof Covering -Skylights -Chimneys -Gutters & Downspouts -A/C Compressor -Garage
  
  
• Interior: -Attic: Structure and Ventilation -Plumbing: Fixtures, Pipes and Drains -Structure: Basement, Crawlspace, Walls, Ceiling and Floors -Electrical Service Panel: Exposed wiring, outlets randomly tested for proper polarity -Water Heater -All windows /doors tested -Heating and Cooling
  
  
• Summary: -Major defects or items needing immediate attention -Potential safety concerns. Items that may need repair or replacement in the next few year

How long will the home inspection take?

The average inspection takes two to three hours depending on the size, age, and condition of the property.

 

Should I be present at the home inspection?

We strongly urge the prospective buyer to be present for the walkthrough at the end of the inspection. By being present, you will have a far greater understanding of your new home and the report. If the buyer is at the inspection we are able to explain the property and go over any items that may need attention with them. This saves time and confusion, any questions the buyer may have can be answered at that time.

What is a radon test?

We use RTCA 48 hour continuous monitoring for our radon testing. Radon is a cancer causing, radioactive gas. You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon gas can enter a home from the soil under the house through cracks in the concrete slab, floors, or walls and through floor drains, sump pumps, construction joints and cracks or pores in hollow-block walls. Normal pressure differences between the house and the soil can create a slight vacuum in the basement, which can draw radon from the soil into the building. The design, construction and ventilation of the home can affect the radon levels of the home. Well water can be another source of indoor radon. Radon released by well water during showering or other activities may release radon gas into the home. Radon in water is a much smaller factor in radon exposure than radon in soil. Radon exposure outdoors is much less of a risk than indoors because the radon is diluted to low concentrations by the large volume of air. High levels of radon have been found in every state in the US. The average indoor radon level in the United States is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). One in fifteen homes in the US has radon levels above 4pCi/L, the EPA action level.

Why is radon dangerous?

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Of the 155,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States, about 12% are due to radon exposure. Radon and its decay products are inhaled and become lodged in the lungs where they can radiate the cells lining the respiratory system. The radioactive decay products of the radon emits alpha particles which are damaging to these tissues. Exposure to elevated levels of radon greatly enhances the risk of lung cancer.

Do I need a radon test?

RTCA and the EPA recommend that all residences below the third floor level be tested for radon. In addition, the EPA also recommends testing all rooms in contact with the ground. If you have tested your home, you should retest every two years since radon levels can change with structural changes in the home. If you decide to use a lower floor of your home, such as a basement, you should test this level before occupancy. In addition, you should always test prior to the purchase of a home. If you have additional questions, about radon tests feel free to call our office and speak to an inspector.

 

More sites about radon.

• The Environmental Protection Agency
• A Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon