Imagine buying a home only to find out several months later that there are problems with the electrical wiring or the wood has begun to rot in several places where your pipes are leaking, costing you thousands of dollars to fix. Having a home inspection performed prior to purchasing your home can eliminate costly repairs and even instances of extreme damage to your home like the examples below:

Mold saturated kitchen ceiling

Hiding under a rug in the middle of the kitchen floor was an extremely
damaged area of wood rot. The same damage was found in the laundry room.
They buyer was unaware of the damage until an inspector discoverd it.

Creative but dangerous use of extra copper tubing.

Whether the home sells or not, this is dangerous for anyone.

A recent inspection discovered the main structural
support beam in the basement of a "newer" home resting
solidly in the beam pocket of the foundation.

Disease a la carte.

Photos courtesy Bruce Wingate, East Coast Home Inspections.

Asbestos Information

Asbestos is a tiny fiber that was used in the past primarily as insulation. It was also added to some building materials to provide added strength and flame resistance. The problem with asbestos is that it has been shown to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma in individuals that were exposed to large amounts of free-floating asbestos fibers in the air. These conditions typically did not become apparent until around 30 years after the exposure. Because of the health hazards of asbestos fibers, its use in insulation and paint was banned in the 1970’s. 

What you need to know about asbestos
Homes built prior to the 1970’s could contain asbestos in insulation, plumbing, paint, wall joint compound, and other building materials. However, as long as the materials are in good condition, they pose no danger. Asbestos is only a threat if the fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled. 

Renovations or demolitions of materials containing asbestos can release the fibers into the air. Therefore, the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) requires the owner of any property containing asbestos building materials to get an asbestos inspection prior to any demolitions or renovations of that property. 

How can asbestos be removed?
If your home contains asbestos, you have two options:  removal of the material or sealing the material to prevent it from releasing fibers. Either option requires the help of a trained professional.

How do I know if my home contains asbestos?
If you suspect your home or a home you are considering buying may contain asbestos, it’s vital you get a thorough inspection by a qualified professional. Asbestos can only be detected by a special microscope. Our inspectors are trained in asbestos detection and will take samples from your home for further analysis. Please contact our office for further information.

Hidden water damage

Water is a powerful force. Any doubt of this fact can be erased by a simple visit to the Grand Canyon. And while your home is in no danger of becoming one of the Seven Wonders of the World, water can wreak havoc on a much smaller scale.  

Water damage can come from several sources: floods, burst pipes, leaky roofs, seepage, etc. Many types are obvious, as is the damage caused by them. But even if you can’t see the damage right away, a slow flow of water can often be worse than obvious leaks. Left untreated, it can cause:  

• Pipe corrosion
• Foundation damage
• Foul odors
• Mold  

Repairing hidden water damage can be an even greater challenge. Depending upon the source of the damage, it may or may not be covered by homeowner’s insurance. In the case of mold, getting rid of the problem may be a monumental undertaking.  

How can you protect yourself from this menace? A professional inspection can help. Using advanced moisture detection devices, coupled with years of experience, we can often detect water damage long before it becomes a problem.

Roofing Issues

Of all the problems you can encounter around the house, roofing problems are by far the sneakiest.  Leaks can develop unnoticed for years causing rot, mold, warping and other expensive damage.

Experts recommend that you go into your attic or crawlspace at least once a year after a rainstorm to check for leaks and water damage.  Special attention should be paid to areas where you have flashing (the metal or plastic weather stripping that will be around chimneys, pipes, vents, roof planes and eves) because this is typically the most likely area to develop leaks.  It is also recommended that you visit the surface of your roof yearly – during good weather – to look for any loose, missing, eroded, warped or otherwise damaged shingles and to check the overall condition of your roof.

You should also clean rain gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris regularly, preferably in the fall once the trees are bare.  While doing this, check for mineral deposits which could indicate the erosion of asphalt shingles.

Many people would prefer not to inspect their roofs themselves.  Roofs can be pitched at very steep angles and pose quite a challenge to those leery of heights.  Inspecting the roof from an attic or crawlspace full of spiders and other creepy inhabitants may not be too attractive either.  Another issue is most people are unsure of what to look for.  Leaks can be hard to track – water travels downward and the damage can be far from the actual leak.  Because of this, hiring an expert to inspect the roof for you is something you should consider.

We offer full service, unbiased roof inspections and will provide you with a detailed report of our findings complete with recommended maintenance and repair suggestions.  Please contact us for quotes.