Many home inspection services pertain to houses in the midst of real estate deal. Quite regularly the home inspection becomes a contingency that buyers put on the purchase agreement. It is also common practice for a seller to take the preemptive step of having an inspection before listing his property for sale. However, attentive homeowners who simply want to maintain their house in good condition may also be interested in using this service. Hiring a professional inspector will help them to avoid inadvertently neglecting something and to accomplish an examination beyond their expertise and/or outside their comfort zone. Nipping problems in the bud will also save them from incurring more expensive repairs down the road.

Of course, a home inspection is not a requirement before fixing up one\’s house. Most owners have at least some notion of needed repairs, replacements, or renovations. And there are plenty of resources, such as newspapers and the Internet, that publish do-it-yourself guides and helpful pointers. But when the owner suspects that he might overlook something, he should hire a professional home inspector to play it safe. This is especially true if he is unsure about a potential pest infestation or any weakening of structural integrity. Left unattended, damage from wood-destroying organisms worsens and gets more costly to repair.

What this part of the inspection includes is an investigation into the wood soundness of beams and joists (i.e., where insects cause the most destruction) and an examination of foundation, footings, and posts for any signs of stress. The inspector will also watch for conditions that foster infestation, mold, or fungi. Examples of such conditions are areas heavy in moisture content, siding touching soil or vegetation, and standing water.

Now let\’s review what other house aspects will be covered in the home inspection. Some items have a limited life expectancy and part of the inspector\’s job is to project how much life is left in them. The main components falling in this category are the roof, furnace, air conditioner, and water heater. For all but the roof, there are additional things to check, including efficiency and capacity. The home inspector should estimate combustion air requirements for these appliances and compare that to available supply. The inspection extends also to draft air needs, venting, and chimneys.

For comfortable living, there needs to be a happy medium of airflow, heat, and moisture. Having an impact on this comfort is whether there is the right amount of insulation, effective vapor barriers, and good ventilation. The home inspection pays attention to these three items, particularly in the out-of-way areas of crawl space and attic.

The home inspection provides additional benefit to owners by focusing heavily on plumbing, for plumbing-related defects tend to cause more serious problems. The inspector looks for leaks, measures water temperature and pressure, and performs venting tests and exhaust fan tests. He also checks for any potential cross connections and associated preventative techniques such as dishwasher air gaps and hose bib backflow prevention.

A well-written inspection report is a useful tool for the owner to realize savings. It provides recommendations for immediate action in some cases and more long-term monitoring in others. There should be an indication of appropriate servicing or maintenance for major systems. The owner will want to refer to the report from time to time for reminders on how to keep his home in good shape and assuage his worries.

John W. Gordon is a licensed Bellingham home inspector. His Dr. Inspector business is also authorized to provide complete pest inspection services. John writes detailed, thorough reports and he encourages you to obtain samples from his website, www.HomeInspectionWA.net.

John W. Gordon is a licensed Bellingham home inspector. His Dr. Inspector business is also authorized to provide complete pest inspection services. John writes detailed, thorough reports and he encourages you to obtain samples from his website, http://www.HomeInspectionWA.net.

Author Bio: John W. Gordon is a licensed Bellingham home inspector. His Dr. Inspector business is also authorized to provide complete pest inspection services. John writes detailed, thorough reports and he encourages you to obtain samples from his website, www.HomeInspectionWA.net.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home inspector, home inspection, pest inspection, inspection report, house inspecton, pest inspector