Inspecting Your Home: Types of Inspections Available
Original Content by Carl Johnson
Your offer is finally accepted on your dream home or maybe you just accepted a fantastic offer on your house, and now you have to make it through the… Home Inspection! This often dreaded and stressful step for most buyers and sellers seems to be the last big hurdle to get over while dealing with home buying or selling. But what actually is a Home Inspection? What is this Radon you hear about? Do you really need to test for Microbial Growth? The list of names you hear while reviewing options for an inspection can seem daunting and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! To help you better understand what is best for your situation, read our list below of inspections we often recommend to our buyers, or items you should expect to have done to your home as a seller! Some of these inspections may be required for the purchase of the home depending on the type of mortgage being financed, while others are options you may want to add for peace of mind. Overall you should consult your real estate agent and financial institute for any questions, they are here to help!
Home Inspection
A full home inspection is often requested by the buyers, and is carried out by a certified home inspector. This type of inspection is very common and will include a head-to-toe exterior and interior check over of the home. Your real estate agent can often recommend a trusted inspector to do this work. You can be present during the inspection after the inspector is done with the inspection. Once the inspection is done the inspector presents their finding to the buyer and buyer agent. This is a great time to ask questions and understand more about what the inspector found. Feel free to ask questions to your inspector. They area happy to help.
In general you can expect to have the following areas of the home inspected: a visual look at the foundation/structural, roof, and a check on the basics of the HVAC, plumbing & electrical. The process can take a few hours and at the end you will receive a detailed report of items, ranging from general notes to any areas of concern. The inspector may recommend professional contractors look into some areas in more detail, but in the end it is up to you, the buyer, to review the report and decide what is important to you about the home. Your real estate agent is more than happy to help with any questions, an agent's experience is invaluable!
Radon Inspection
Danger is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of radon! Though the inspection is nothing to be worried about. Often done by the same home inspector, a small box will be placed in the lowest livable area of your home for 2-3 days. It really is that simple! The resulting recorded radon levels will determine if remediation action needs to be taken. The EPA recommends a second test if your levels are between 2-4pCi/L or higher, though the decision to pursue it further depends on the buyer's requests.
Wood Destroying Insect Inspection
The inspector doing your full home inspection will take notes on any noticeable wood destroying insect damage they find. As a buyer you may choose to have a certified pest control inspector do a report on their own if the home has in an area of concern, or request this after you have read your initial home inspection report. The purpose of this report is simply to evaluate and relay the presence of any wood destroying insects in the home. Based on the report’s results it is the buyer's option to request any corrective action to be taken.
Water Analysis
You can choose to have a water analysis done on your home as a buyer which will test the quality of the home’s water and check for contaminants and pollutants. The test is simple and may even be offered by the inspector doing the full home inspection. Some of the basic results shown in the water analysis are: chlorine, lead, fluoride, and coliform bacteria levels, as well as pH imbalances which can lead to water hardness.
HVAC Service
The home’s HVAC system will get a basic check over during the full home inspection but you have the option to have a fully certified HVAC professional come out and give a detailed report. This report will be a thorough review and assessment of all parts related to the heating and cooling systems on the house. From voltage testing to safety controls, an HVAC Service can be a good option if you are questioning the age of the systems, what to know about future risks or costs, or if you are wanting to make sure everything is running safely and efficiently!
Microbial Growth Testing
Whether you see any mold and other microbial growth or not in the home, there may be some present. The microbial growth test can determine if there is any growth and at what levels. Simple swab tests are taken in specific areas of the home and lab results will be provided, along with remediation recommendations if necessary. Mold in the home can cause irritations, respiratory issues, skin rashes and more.
Roof Inspection
The roof inspection is again an area your full home inspection will cover, but it will only be a basic review by looking at the roof from all vantage points. A separate roof inspection is something we would recommend to our buyers depending on the age of the home, or if there are any noticeable issues. Per the home inspection, as a buyer you can request a certified professional contractor come out and give a detailed roof inspection and a list of recommended repairs if necessary. A roof inspection does both an exterior and interior review including ceilings, attic, and interior walls looking for water stains, mold, rot, and other signs of water damage caused from a poor roof structure.
Septic and Well Inspection
This inspection is only for homes that have a septic and well system in place. Because a septic tank and well are out of sight they are often out of mind, that is, until an issue arises. Having a professional contractor perform an inspection can give you a heads up of your systems to make sure they are safe for your family and avoid costly issues in the future. A septic inspection will include locating the tank, inspecting the inlet and outlet baffles, and checking the operational level of sewage. The inspector may also dig a test hole in the septic bed area to ensure good trench conditions and below-grade effluent level of sewage. The well inspection can consist of a flow test, which is done to check the water for bacteria and other harmful contaminants, and a general inspection of the equipment to make sure it is operating properly.
Electrical Inspection
Your full home inspection will do a basic review of the home’s electrical system. Though depending on the house’s age and any noticeable issues you may request an electrical inspection be done by a certified electrician. It is important to make sure the house is up to code and all wiring is connected properly and safely per the National Fire Protection Association. During the electrical inspection the following areas of your home will be reviewed: circuits, wires, outlets, service panel, and the electric meter. Ensuring that everything is up to code ensures that your home meets the minimum safety standard set by NFPA.
Plumbing Inspection
Depending on the age and condition of the home a full plumbing inspection may be performed. The inspection will look at the home's plumbing system to seek out pipe corrosion, clogs, leaks, and burst tubes, all of which can cause property damage. The certified plumber will most likely take photos, record details in their final report, and can suggest corrective action if any needs to be taken.
Window Inspection
Your home’s windows are for much more than aesthetic. Windows help make the home and its HVAC systems run properly and protect against the elements. Your general home inspector will check for proper function of the windows and screens, note any rotted or cracked window frames, sashes, or paneling, and recommend if they think a contractor will need to come and inspect more. It is up to you as a buyer to decide if you’d like further inspection into the windows, and depending on the home’s age we would recommend it for issues that arise out of the windows in the future can be costly.
As you might have gathered, your full home inspection covers a majority of these areas. However, there may be times that you want or need a second opinion or a more detailed report regarding a specific area of your home. If you have any questions regarding the information above, reach out to Carl Johnson Real Estate, it is our pleasure to provide you with resources to help keep you informed.
Check out other Original Content written by Carl on Getting Ready for a Mortgage!
Your offer is finally accepted on your dream home or maybe you just accepted a fantastic offer on your house, and now you have to make it through the… Home Inspection! This often dreaded and stressful step for most buyers and sellers seems to be the last big hurdle to get over while dealing with home buying or selling. But what actually is a Home Inspection? What is this Radon you hear about? Do you really need to test for Microbial Growth? The list of names you hear while reviewing options for an inspection can seem daunting and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! To help you better understand what is best for your situation, read our list below of inspections we often recommend to our buyers, or items you should expect to have done to your home as a seller! Some of these inspections may be required for the purchase of the home depending on the type of mortgage being financed, while others are options you may want to add for peace of mind. Overall you should consult your real estate agent and financial institute for any questions, they are here to help!
Home Inspection
A full home inspection is often requested by the buyers, and is carried out by a certified home inspector. This type of inspection is very common and will include a head-to-toe exterior and interior check over of the home. Your real estate agent can often recommend a trusted inspector to do this work. You can be present during the inspection after the inspector is done with the inspection. Once the inspection is done the inspector presents their finding to the buyer and buyer agent. This is a great time to ask questions and understand more about what the inspector found. Feel free to ask questions to your inspector. They area happy to help.
In general you can expect to have the following areas of the home inspected: a visual look at the foundation/structural, roof, and a check on the basics of the HVAC, plumbing & electrical. The process can take a few hours and at the end you will receive a detailed report of items, ranging from general notes to any areas of concern. The inspector may recommend professional contractors look into some areas in more detail, but in the end it is up to you, the buyer, to review the report and decide what is important to you about the home. Your real estate agent is more than happy to help with any questions, an agent's experience is invaluable!
Radon Inspection
Danger is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of radon! Though the inspection is nothing to be worried about. Often done by the same home inspector, a small box will be placed in the lowest livable area of your home for 2-3 days. It really is that simple! The resulting recorded radon levels will determine if remediation action needs to be taken. The EPA recommends a second test if your levels are between 2-4pCi/L or higher, though the decision to pursue it further depends on the buyer's requests.
Wood Destroying Insect Inspection
The inspector doing your full home inspection will take notes on any noticeable wood destroying insect damage they find. As a buyer you may choose to have a certified pest control inspector do a report on their own if the home has in an area of concern, or request this after you have read your initial home inspection report. The purpose of this report is simply to evaluate and relay the presence of any wood destroying insects in the home. Based on the report’s results it is the buyer's option to request any corrective action to be taken.
Water Analysis
You can choose to have a water analysis done on your home as a buyer which will test the quality of the home’s water and check for contaminants and pollutants. The test is simple and may even be offered by the inspector doing the full home inspection. Some of the basic results shown in the water analysis are: chlorine, lead, fluoride, and coliform bacteria levels, as well as pH imbalances which can lead to water hardness.
HVAC Service
The home’s HVAC system will get a basic check over during the full home inspection but you have the option to have a fully certified HVAC professional come out and give a detailed report. This report will be a thorough review and assessment of all parts related to the heating and cooling systems on the house. From voltage testing to safety controls, an HVAC Service can be a good option if you are questioning the age of the systems, what to know about future risks or costs, or if you are wanting to make sure everything is running safely and efficiently!
Microbial Growth Testing
Whether you see any mold and other microbial growth or not in the home, there may be some present. The microbial growth test can determine if there is any growth and at what levels. Simple swab tests are taken in specific areas of the home and lab results will be provided, along with remediation recommendations if necessary. Mold in the home can cause irritations, respiratory issues, skin rashes and more.
Roof Inspection
The roof inspection is again an area your full home inspection will cover, but it will only be a basic review by looking at the roof from all vantage points. A separate roof inspection is something we would recommend to our buyers depending on the age of the home, or if there are any noticeable issues. Per the home inspection, as a buyer you can request a certified professional contractor come out and give a detailed roof inspection and a list of recommended repairs if necessary. A roof inspection does both an exterior and interior review including ceilings, attic, and interior walls looking for water stains, mold, rot, and other signs of water damage caused from a poor roof structure.
Septic and Well Inspection
This inspection is only for homes that have a septic and well system in place. Because a septic tank and well are out of sight they are often out of mind, that is, until an issue arises. Having a professional contractor perform an inspection can give you a heads up of your systems to make sure they are safe for your family and avoid costly issues in the future. A septic inspection will include locating the tank, inspecting the inlet and outlet baffles, and checking the operational level of sewage. The inspector may also dig a test hole in the septic bed area to ensure good trench conditions and below-grade effluent level of sewage. The well inspection can consist of a flow test, which is done to check the water for bacteria and other harmful contaminants, and a general inspection of the equipment to make sure it is operating properly.
Electrical Inspection
Your full home inspection will do a basic review of the home’s electrical system. Though depending on the house’s age and any noticeable issues you may request an electrical inspection be done by a certified electrician. It is important to make sure the house is up to code and all wiring is connected properly and safely per the National Fire Protection Association. During the electrical inspection the following areas of your home will be reviewed: circuits, wires, outlets, service panel, and the electric meter. Ensuring that everything is up to code ensures that your home meets the minimum safety standard set by NFPA.
Plumbing Inspection
Depending on the age and condition of the home a full plumbing inspection may be performed. The inspection will look at the home's plumbing system to seek out pipe corrosion, clogs, leaks, and burst tubes, all of which can cause property damage. The certified plumber will most likely take photos, record details in their final report, and can suggest corrective action if any needs to be taken.
Window Inspection
Your home’s windows are for much more than aesthetic. Windows help make the home and its HVAC systems run properly and protect against the elements. Your general home inspector will check for proper function of the windows and screens, note any rotted or cracked window frames, sashes, or paneling, and recommend if they think a contractor will need to come and inspect more. It is up to you as a buyer to decide if you’d like further inspection into the windows, and depending on the home’s age we would recommend it for issues that arise out of the windows in the future can be costly.
As you might have gathered, your full home inspection covers a majority of these areas. However, there may be times that you want or need a second opinion or a more detailed report regarding a specific area of your home. If you have any questions regarding the information above, reach out to Carl Johnson Real Estate, it is our pleasure to provide you with resources to help keep you informed.
Check out other Original Content written by Carl on Getting Ready for a Mortgage!
