A standard home inspection is performed by a licensed, professional home inspector, and consists of a visual examination of a property’s structures and systems. This includes all areas of the home that are easily accessible and visible, which means that crawlspaces, roofs, and attics aren’t always included in the inspection; it all depends on your particular home. Gutters, chimneys, plumbing, electrical systems, insulation, and heating systems are all part of the home inspector’s checklist. Some inspectors will even test the property’s water quality, though they are not required to do this.
In addition to a traditional home inspection, you may want to hire a professional to check the home for other serious problems such as wood destroying organisms, mold, lead, and radon. While the cost of having these inspections done may make you hesitate, the cost of discovering these issues after closing is much greater.
Hiring a licensed pest inspector to check the home for wood destroying organisms such as termites and mold is always a good idea. Termite infestation wreaks havoc on the wood structures in your home, while keeping their presence a well-kept secret. Often it isn’t until a great deal of damage has been done that you discover that you have termites. This means that sellers may not even know that they have a problem. You buy the home, totally unaware of the hungry pests lurking behind the walls. When you finally discover their existence, you have an expensive problem on your hands.
Mold and mildew can not only affect the strength and stability of the wood in your home, they can also have a serious impact on your health. In particular, spores that are released into the air and get into your lungs are the most dangerous. If you’re sensitive to molds, you could find yourself with respiratory problems such as asthma or sinusitis. Even if you aren’t allergic, you may suffer from skin and throat irritation if exposed to mold for long periods of time. A pest inspector knows where to look for fungal rot, and can recommend ways to get rid of it.
Another serious health hazard that may be present inside the home is lead-based paint. Until 1978, many homes were painted with paint that contained lead. If the home you’re thinking about buying was built before that year, make sure that you hire a professional Lead Inspector to check for lead, and determine if the paint poses any risk to you and your family.
Many home inspectors today test for radon as part of their examination of the home, but it isn’t standard practice. Due to the severity of health problems that can result from being exposed to this naturally-occurring radioactive gas, it is a good idea to hire a certified Radon Inspector to test the home before you close the sale.
Radon is second only to smoking in terms of causing lung cancer. As you breathe in these odorless, invisible particles, the radon damages your delicate lung tissue. Getting the home tested for radon before you move in could potentially save lives.
For a small investment, you can have peace of mind knowing that your future home is safe from serious hazards like radon, lead, and pests. In addition, you could save thousands of dollars in repairs if problems do turn up. Do yourself a favor and hire specialists to examine the home before you sign on the dotted line.
