What A Home Inspection Covers
Inspectors vary in experience, ability, and thoroughness, but a good inspector should examine certain home components and then produce a report covering their findings. The typical inspection lasts two to three hours, and you should be present for the inspection to get a firsthand explanation of the inspector’s findings and, if necessary, ask questions. Also, any problems the inspector uncovers will make more sense if you see them in person instead of relying solely on the snapshot photos in the report.
The inspector should note:
- Whether each problem is a safety issue, major defect, or minor defect
- Which items need replacement and which should be repaired or serviced
- Items that are suitable for now but that should be closely monitored
An excellent inspector will even tell you about routine maintenance that should be performed, which can be a great help if you are a first-time homebuyer.
While it is impossible to list everything an inspector could check for, the following home inspection checklist for buyers should give you a general idea of what to expect.
Scenario : Black Mold Is Identified And Your Buyer Or Seller Is Concerned That The Mold Is Toxic
Not all molds are toxic despite what you may hear or read.
Mold comes in a variety of colors. The dreaded Black Mold you have heard about so often in the media is not a species or specific type of mold.
Media reports of Black Mold often refer to molds that can produce toxins , such as groups of molds known as Stachybotrys. Note that mycotoxins will not always be produced when these types of mold are present. To put it another way, the presence of mold does not necessarily mean mycotoxins are present.
Much of what we know about mycotoxins is not well understood yet and ongoing research is needed. According to the EPA though, certain types of mycotoxins produced by the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are shown to cause cancer. However, the EPA goes on further to say that Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are not commonly found on building materials or in indoor environments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also states: There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
Close more deals by revealing the truth to your clients about Black Mold and toxic molds.
Are You Concerned That Your Home Has Asbestos
If you suspect that you house might have asbestos, youre going to need professional help. Dealing with asbestos needs to be done properly, and there is no way to cut corners.
At Assurance Environmental Inspection Services, we have helped countless homeowners accurately identify whether they have asbestos, which in turn leads to asbestos removal recommendations.
Our certified asbestos specialists will use state-of-the-art technology to properly detect and identify presumed asbestos containing material in your home, so you can confidently renovate and/or resell your home. Request a quote, and gain peace of mind .
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Can A House Fail A Home Inspection
A professional home inspection is an examination and objective assessment of the current condition of a house. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need major repair or replacement. A home inspection is not an appraisal and will not determine the home’s market value. It is also not a municipal inspection and does not verify local code compliance.
Not Covered In A Home Inspection
A home inspection can’t identify everything that might be wrong with the property it only checks for visual cues to problems. For example, if the home’s doors do not close properly, or the floors are slanted, the foundation might have a crack, but if the crack can’t be seen without pulling up all the flooring in the house, a home inspector can’t tell you for sure if it’s there.
Some areas inspectors wont look at include:
- Inside walls
- Inside pipes or sewer lines
- Inside chimneys
- Behind electrical panels
Furthermore, most home inspectors are generaliststhat is, they can tell you that the plumbing might have a problem, but then they will recommend that you hire an expert to verify the issue and give you an estimate of the cost to fix it. Of course, hiring additional inspectors will cost extra money.
Home inspectors also do not specifically check for termite damage, site contamination, mold, asbestos engineering problems, and other specialized problems. If they have reason to suspect, though, they’ll likely give you a heads up. Some inspectors offer radon testing as an add-on some will recommend asbestos testing services if your home appears to be at risk.
However, problems without visual cuespests, radon, leadmay crop up after the inspection.
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Typically Inspectors Come With Many Types Of Equipment
The first one is a machine. This machine is like a small vacuum that sucks in air. The second part to this type of equipment are the cassettes. The cassettes are special devices that channel the sucked in air through a slide that captures air spores.
You can see an image of one of our inspectors completing air quality testing below. The top portion is the cassette while the case is the machine.
Other forms of equipment an inspector may use are:
A moisture meter to detect moisture levels.
A humidity reader to determine the level of water in the air.
A thermometer to verify the temperature of the home.
A thermography camera to look at temperature differentials.
And general inspection equipment like a flashlight and camera.
Should You Buy A House With Mold Problems
If you find a house and discover it has mold problems, should you buy it anyway? If you or a family member has asthma or if a baby or an elderly person will live in the house, you’ll want to be especially concerned about limiting exposure to mold. You’ll have to decide whether the cost of removing the mold and fixing the source — both in time and money — is worth the price you’ll pay.
If you have an inspection contingency and the mold is revealed as part of the inspection, or if you have a specific mold contingency, you have a bargaining chip. You can ask the seller to reduce the asking price, to fix the problem, or you can choose to walk away from the deal.
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Keep In Mind That These Costs Are For Inspection Only And Do Not Necessarily Include Testing
Find cost for mold inspection. How much does mold cost? Enter your zip code & get started! Feb 11, 2021 · most homeowners can expect to pay around $650 on average for a comprehensive mold inspection, but the price can vary greatly. How do you test for black mold? While this might seem expensive, it pays to have a professional come inspect your home. Avoid the stress of doing it yourself. Some mold professionals offer free testing. Above 4,000 square feet, the cost increases to the $700 to $900 range. Search a wide range of information from across the web with superdealsearch.com Find cost for mold inspection. Match to a pro today · free estimates · no obligations · free to use Keep in mind that these costs are for inspection only and do not necessarily include testing.
How do you test for black mold? Search a wide range of information from across the web with topwebanswers.com. Depending on the size of the home and its location, some people can expect to pay as little as $300 or as much as $1,000. Find cost for mold inspection. Find cost for mold inspection.
Find cost for mold inspection. Avoid the stress of doing it yourself. Depending on your location and the size of your house, that range can go from $296 and $1,006. In extreme cases, the inspector may cut open the walls for what’s known as an invasive inspection. Search a wide range of information from across the web with dailyguides.com.
Should I Get A Mold Inspection
If you have a suspicion that there may be mold in the home, having it thoroughly inspected for mold prior to it’s purchase is a wise decision. Besides looking for water leaks, or basements with high moisture — I also highly recommend checking the air for mold.
Since mold can be hidden behind walls, it is impossible to know 100% for sure that a home doesn’t have mold purely with a visual inspection. If you do a few air quality tests in a few different locations in the home, then you can be sure that there isn’t a mold issue in the house before you buy it.
Besides air testing, I also recommend that you verify there isn’t mold in the HVAC system — specifically by looking carefully at the air vent covers and inside of the furnace . Since the HVAC system is the central location of the home’s air, if there is a mold problem in the house, it almost always shows up in the HVAC system.
95% of the time when I see a house with a big mold problem, it is because there is extensive mold growth at the indoor air handler. There was mold on the blower fan, the evaporator coil, the furnace housing, wiring, motor etc. It was everywhere!
In my opinion, the mold inspection cost is well worth the money if you are highly sensitive to mold or allergies and have a sneaking suspicion the house may have mold issues.
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Does Mold Make You Sick
Regardless of the type of discovery, mold exposure is known to cause health problems and should be taken seriously. According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association, some side effects of exposure to toxic mold include watery, itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose, cough, fatigue, rashes, difficulty breathing, or other serious health issues.
It is entirely possible to live with mold for long periods of time and not even know it, but the longer you live with mold, the more likely it is you could become sensitized to mold and begin developing respiratory problems. This is also one of the best reasons to remedy moisture problems in the home before they turn into mold problems in the home.
Infectious diseases from mold can threaten those with weakened immune systems, sometimes even leading to death. This is why any time you suspect an arising mold problem, it is imperative to reach out to a mold expert.
Problem #: Faulty Foundation
Foundation problems are one of the most costly issues to fix, in some cases in excess of $10,000. Signs of foundation issues include doors and windows that stick, cracks in walls above doorways, sloping floors, and L-shaped or horizontal cracks in the visible parts of the exterior foundation.
How to prevent this home inspection fail:
If you know your home has serious foundation issues, it might be best to take care of them before you sell the house, as few buyers will want to deal with the hassle of fixing a foundation. As far as minor foundation repairs go, fill any cracks with epoxy or silicone caulk. Seal the exterior foundation with a waterproof coating. Adjust doors and windows to make sure they all open and close without sticking.
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Do Home Inspectors Check For Mold
Not all home inspectors check for mold — we are all a bit different — there isn’t a national standard for mold inspecting. There is also an extra cost for inspectors to buy mold detectors in the form of air pumps and lab testing. In my home state, there also is no state licensing for mold inspections or mold detection.
Some home inspectors may report a suspicious substance and say that he saw a possible “organic growth” in the basement. Other home inspectors may offer further services such as swab and air tests — which will give confirmation of mold.
When I do home inspections, and I noticed a mold-like substance, I tell the buyer, and it is up to them whether they want to proceed with laboratory testing. The mold inspection cost will be anywhere from $75 to $125 per sample sent to a lab.
Problem #: Structural Damage
Older homes are prone to structural issues such as sagging floor joists, rafters, and door headers. It may not be immediately apparent if a structural issue is major or minor, and many home inspectors will advise buyers to have the home inspected by an engineer if that is the case.
How to prevent this home inspection fail:
Structural repairs are among the most costly and can turn buyers off. If your home shows signs of structural flaws, hire a structural engineer to assess the extent of the problems and the potential repair costs.
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Will Mold Testing Be Included In A Home Inspection
Most home inspectors do not test for mold. If mold is present and visible, a home inspector will probably suggest hiring a mold testing service. If no mold is detected, then most likely there will be no test. Most home inspections include basics that are visible. Mold is usually hidden and not obvious. If a NJ homeowner knows that water damage has occurred recently, then in addition to a home inspector, they might wish to avail themselves of the services of Mold Testing NJ-NY. Generally speaking, home inspection does not include mold testing.
Problem #: Pest Infestations
There is nothing that will send some homebuyers running quite like an infestation of pests, especially termites. Termites and other wood-eating insects can cause significant structural damage if left untreated. A home inspector is trained to identify signs of termites, however, your buyer might also want to perform a with a pest control company for additional peace of mind.
How to prevent this home inspection fail:
Hire a professional pest control company to inspect and treat your home before a home inspection. If termites are found, youll need to disclose it. Treat the termites and get a termite bond that will protect the buyer from re-infestation.
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What Happens When Mold Is Confirmed
When the problem goes beyond noticeable signs of mold, we need to call in professionals to give us peace of mind. After providing mold testing services, mold remediators can begin eliminating the mold issue from the house.
The surface sampling performed before will determine how they will attack the mold. Collected samples are examined in carefully controlled conditions. The types of mold are identified and how many mold spores are circulating through the air in the home.
Next, the remediator can begin the mold removal process.
A standard method used by mold remediators is by first closing the area off with plastic sheeting to prevent the mold spores from traveling throughout the area. For larger areas or commercial buildings, you may need to close your business or offer partial services, whichever is a better idea.
Once the work area has been established for mold removal, the professional uses expensive, professional equipment to remove the sources mold. Next, the air should be cleared of any remaining indoor mold spores using a High-Efficiency Particulate Air scrubber and air exchanger.
After disposing of all things infected by the mold, the professional will clean the surfaces again using an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold or mold stains.
The Home Inspection Contingency
Home inspections provide an opportunity for a buyer to identify any major issues with a home before closing. Your first clue that a home inspection is important is that it can be used as a contingency in your contract with the seller. This contingency provides that if a home inspection reveals significant defects, you can back out of your purchase offer, free of penalty, within a specific timeframe. The potential problems a home can have must be pretty serious if they could allow you to walk away from such a significant contract.
In some situations, realtors are also known to include home inspection clauses in contracts, such as those for a newly built residence. In new home construction, inspections generally cover:
- Foundations: Checking before the concrete is poured .
- Pre-drywall: Checking the structure and mechanics before the drywall is laid.
- Full inspection: A full walk-through is performed of the completed home.
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How Much Does A Mold Inspection Cost
A standard mold inspection costs around $200-$500 for an average size house . Larger houses might cost a bit more, and extra charges may be applied if the inspector needs to perform more sampling. These costs normally include the inspection and pre-determined sampling. Additional sampling would incur additional fees.
If You See Mold Testing Is Usually Unnecessary And A Waste Of Money
If you already see obvious, visible mold, you usually do NOT need a mold inspection or mold testing you simply need to remove it following industry standard guidelines as we discuss below.
There are many cases where a mold inspection and mold testing IS a good idea, and we discuss these below. We also discuss why home mold tests that you can buy at hardware stores are a waste of money.
Many consumers who call us already see visible mold and think they therefore need to get it tested to determine what type of mold it is, whether its toxic, and other characteristics.
Do you think most companies who inspect for mold care to reveal that testing is often unnecessary when they have an easy $350-$1000 mold inspection on the table from a worried customer who is misinformed? Obviously not. Of course, there are some companies and individuals who are truthful, and we commend them, but they are sadly few and far between and drowned out by the others.
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