The Inspection
A home inspection from an Inspector Nation inspector is a thorough investigation into all the systems of a house. As a licensed home inspector I’m trained to inspect:
Exterior: Windows , doors, walks, patios, vegetation, grading, wall cladding, flashings, trim, driveways, decks and patios
Structure: Floor systems, walls, ceilings, roof structure, and foundations
Roofing: Flashing, drainage systems, skylights, chimneys and roof covering materials
Electrical: Electrical main and distribution panels, branch circuits, fixtures, receptacles, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Heating and Cooling: Heating and cooling equipment, distribution systems, and water heating and storage systems
Interiors: Bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, attics, basements, fireplaces and bonus rooms
Ventilation and Insulation: All accessible insulation and ventilation in the attic and crawl space
Appliances: Ovens, ranges, microwaves, garbage disposals and dishwashers
A typical inspection will take 3-4 hours as I carefully go over every inch of your home.
Radon Inspection
Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that naturally occurs in the ground. Radon is formed when naturally occurring radioactive metals in the ground break down. As radon gas is formed in the ground it can enter your home through tiny gaps or cracks in the foundation and build up inside the home. While there is no safe level of radon, the EPA recommends that radon mitigation measures be installed in a home with a radon level of 2-4pCi/L.
A radon test involves a special piece of equipment called a continuous radon monitor and the test takes multiple days to complete. For your test I’ll set up a continuous radon monitor in the home in a carefully chosen location to ensure the most accurate reading, then a few days later I’ll return to the home to collect the equipment, analyze the data and send you a report on the radon levels of the home.
*RADON IN HOMES HAS BEEN DIRECTLY LINKED TO LUNG CANCER*
This simple test may help prevent serious health problems down the road, and I highly recommend it with any home inspection.
Further information about radon:
EPA Radon FAQ
Radon linked to lung cancer
EPA: What is radon?
Water Quality Sampling
There’s a lot to love about having a private well at your home, and a big part of that is knowing exactly what is in the water you use. But in order to know what you’re drinking (and to know what equipment you need to filter it) you need a water quality test.
The safest and most accurate way to test your water quality is by using a state certified laboratory that specializes in water quality testing. I have partnered with a local state certified lab to handle the testing of your well water. I follow very strict procedures for procuring a clean, uncontaminated sample and deliver it to the lab. They handle the testing, and you get the peace of mind that knowing exactly what you and your family are drinking!
Maintenance Inspections
Just like a yearly checkup can help you and your doctor spot little issues before they become big problems, a yearly checkup for your home can be a great idea. With a yearly maintenance inspection you get all the benefits of a standard inspection, plus the ability to evaluate how potential problems are progressing. By comparing inspections year to year we can work together to determine how systems in your home are performing and decide what you need to fix before it causes a major headache.
Let’s say your home has a water intrusion into the crawl space and you hire a contractor to fix it. At the next yearly inspection I can evaluate the crawl space to make sure that the water isn’t coming back.
Or maybe your foundation has a small crack in it that you don’t think is an issue this year. We can photograph and measure the crack year after year to make sure that the crack isn’t getting bigger (which could cause a huge problem if not caught early.)
Whether you own a vacation rental property and you need someone to look it over for you yearly, or you want an extra set of eyes to give your personal home a once over, a maintenance inspection is a small investment that can give you great peace of mind.