Buying a home is one of the largest purchases you will ever make. Researching neighborhoods is essential to ensure they are safe for your family.
Axios Home Inspection is a valuable tool for determining if a house has any major issues that should give you pause. Many of these problems can be easily fixed.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber once considered a “miracle material” for its strength, sound dampening, and resistance to fire and heat. It was added to a wide variety of building materials including insulation, flooring tile, and drywall. Unfortunately, we now know that asbestos can cause a number of serious health problems, and exposure to it has been linked to certain types of cancer.
Although asbestos has been banned in the many homes built before 1980 still contain materials that may include it. During an inspection, a professional home inspector will typically indicate whether or not a house contains such materials. However, home inspectors are not legally obligated to test for the presence of asbestos.
A standard home inspection is a general evaluation of the structure and major systems of a home. A qualified home inspector will look for signs of asbestos in the attic insulation, near pipes in the bathroom and kitchen, and around the furnace in the basement. They will also look for evidence of a past asbestos abatement project.
Asbestos sampling is a destructive process that requires cutting into walls, floors, and ceilings to collect samples. Because of this, it is generally not done during a standard home inspection. However, if you suspect that an area in your home might contain asbestos, you can ask to have an EPA-certified inspector conduct a separate testing and abatement process.
If the inspector discovers that a material in your home does indeed contain asbestos, they will recommend that a certified removal professional be contacted to take action. It is highly recommended that all asbestos be removed before doing any kind of remodeling work to prevent the fibers from becoming airborne.
If the asbestos-containing materials in your home are undamaged and left undisturbed, they do not pose a health risk to you or your family. If, however, the inspector discovers that these materials are damaged or deteriorating, they will recommend that the asbestos be removed by a certified abatement company. It is important to remember that concealing the existence of asbestos in a home will likely result in legal liability when it comes time for you to sell.
Lead paint was used in houses and apartments before it was banned in 1978, so it can still be found in many older homes. It’s especially dangerous for children under 6 years old, who may ingest lead paint chips or dust from deteriorating surfaces. Exposure to lead can cause damage to the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as behavioral issues.
An inspector will inventory all painted surfaces inside and outside the house, including porches and garages. They’ll pay particular attention to areas where paint flakes are more likely to appear, such as near doorways or windowsills where friction can chip the finish. Bathrooms and basement walls are also more prone to deterioration from steam and condensation.
Once the inspector has identified all painted surfaces, they’ll test for lead content. This can be done with a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine, which is able to determine the presence of lead in painted surfaces without damaging them. Or, a sample of one- to four-square inches will be removed and sent to a laboratory recognized by the EPA for analysis.
The inspector will then report the results of their testing. If the paint is found to contain lead, the inspector will recommend either a risk assessment or a risk mitigation plan. A risk assessment is a more in-depth inspection that determines the severity, type, and specific locations of lead hazards. It includes a thorough inspection of household dust as well as soil from outside play areas and around the foundation of the home.
Because of the strict rules, regulations and guidelines that are imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, to protect the public from the harmful effects of lead, it’s usually best to have a professional conduct the testing and inspection process. They’ll have the certifications and training necessary to ensure safe practices and thorough work. They’ll be able to provide you with a complete and detailed report that you can then take to your landlord. The EPA has a list of accredited inspectors that you can contact for assistance. You can also try a DIY test kit from most hardware stores, but the information provided by a trained and certified inspector will be more comprehensive and accurate.
A home inspector checks a lot of things when they visit a property. They make sure everything works properly, look for potential issues and hazards, and fill out a report to determine whether or not the property passes or fails. But there are certain toxins that even the most skilled home inspector may not detect.
Lead paint was commonly used in homes before it was banned due to its negative health effects. However, it can still be present in the house if the previous owners did not remove it properly or correctly dispose of it. Home inspectors check for this toxic element by using tools to identify it or sending samples away for testing.
Another hazard that can be difficult to spot is carbon monoxide, which often comes from faulty appliances or cracks in the foundation. High levels of this gas can be fatal, but a home inspector will often check for things like working carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that all occupants of the home are safe.
Mold is also a common issue that can be very dangerous to the health of those living in the home. This fungus grows in areas with a lot of moisture, and several varieties exist that cause adverse health effects through repeated exposure. A home inspector will look for signs of this, including black spots and discoloration with a slimy texture.
Water testing is also a must if a property draws its drinking water from a well system, as it can be contaminated with various chemicals, heavy metals, and other impurities. In addition, a test for radon is important because of its links to lung cancer.
The home inspection process can be a long and complicated one, but it is worth it to find out any potential pitfalls that could derail your plans to buy a new home. In addition to the above hazards, it is important to get an inspection for a variety of other potential issues, such as termite damage and plumbing problems. Having these problems fixed before you move into your home will save you a lot of money and hassle down the road.
Home inspectors write up a report of the findings and include pictures as a visual aid. They can also make recommendations for repairs, but are not required to do so. A buyer can use the information from the inspection to renegotiate the sales contract or cancel the sale completely, depending on how serious the problems are. Buyers can ask for a re-inspection by the same inspector to verify that the problems have been remedied. Some inspectors also offer specialized inspections for problems such as asbestos, mold or mildew, termites, pests, radon and lead. These specialized inspections generally cost extra.
The inspector will evaluate the plumbing; air conditioning, ventilation and heating systems; electrical system; roof, attic, visible insulation and walls; the foundation and basement; and structural components. In addition, the inspector will look at the condition of the exterior, including the roof and visible siding. If there are parts of the property that are inaccessible, the inspector will note this in the report and may recommend a specialist in that area.
It is a good idea for buyers to accompany the inspector on his rounds. This is a chance for the buyers to learn more about the structure, systems, and maintenance of the property and ask questions. It is also a time for the inspector to explain how things work, such as electrical panels, air-conditioning and ventilation switches and shut-off water valves. It is a chance for the buyer to get a feel for how the home operates and to find out what areas of the home are a particular problem.
While there is no law that requires a home inspection prior to selling or buying, it is in the best interest of everyone involved. The inspection can reveal safety issues, maintenance concerns, and other facts that will affect the financial investment in a property. Buyers who are able to negotiate repairs or adjustments in the sale price of a property have more buying power and may be able to save themselves significant expense. In the long run, a thorough and complete inspection of a property is more cost effective than dealing with expensive surprises later on.