The premier source for home inspector news and information. Whether you're a homebuyer or a licensed home inspector, you'll find valuable insight on the world of home inspection training and competency on this blog.
Whenever a home inspection is performed, even the most experienced inspector can forget something. That's why you have a checklist, to remember things like plumbing, air, water heater, windows, etc.
But even the most obvious things can be easy to overlook, especially when they are hiding away. Let's take light, for instance. Lighting is an incredibly important part of any house but a lot of it is easy to overlook. Remember that your inspection will probably be performed during the daytime so some lights won't be on. In addition, some lights can be hidden away so you won't know they're there. Always remember to ask the owner about any out-of-the-way lighting and keeps your eyes out for some of these:
Exterior Lighting
As you walk up to the house, you may notice lights along the walkway. They may not be on because of the hour, but that makes it especially important to remember to check them. Some homes may have installed exterior flood lights; low voltage lights create beautiful effects in gardens or on architectural details of the home. Be sure to check these. Some home owners have even been known to run lights into trees or on the roof, to light the areas below. Small lights on pilasters, highlighting small details, should also be remembered.
Other exterior lighting can include pool lighting or lighting for other areas of recreation.
Hidden Lighting
Lights are often hidden away to provide safety and/or access. The obvious ones might be lights in a walk-in closet or pantry, or the light over a stove. Keep in mind also, that there may be lights installed inside regular closets, in shower enclosures, and within built-in appliances. Finally, some homes may include installed night-lights.
Always ask if there are additional lights you may be forgetting.
Settings for Lighting
Lights aren't strictly an on/off feature. There may be some settings to keep in mind. With exterior lights especially, the lights may be set for a certain time. Be sure to check these timers. They may also be set on a motion sensor. This is also important to check. Inside, where a dimmer switch is used, make sure the light dims appropriately.
The more thorough your inspection is, the happier your client will be and that will mean more business for you in the long run.
Labels: home inspection, home inspector, home owners
No home inspection is complete without a thorough testing for Radon gas. And this doesn't just benefit the buyer, it can benefit anyone living in a home, whether they're selling or not.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is formed through the natural decay of uranium in soil, rocks and ground water. Radon from the soil enters into a home through small openings such as: cracks in concrete, floor drains, wall/floor joints in basements, and the pores in hollow block walls.
Because it's a heavy gas, radon can generally be detected in the areas of a home closest to the ground, decreasing as you move higher up within the home. Testing is the only means to determine whether or not a home contains a high level of radon. Since homes near each other may have differing levels of radon, buyers shouldn't rely on radon results taken in other homes within the neighborhood to estimate the radon level of a home. While radon may be more or less common from one area to another, any home may have a high level of radon.
Radon is a real health risk. Prolonged exposure could lead to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Radon gas releases radioactive particles that circulate in the air and, as you breathe these particles, they can become trapped in your lungs and damage lung tissue. This damage can cause lung cancer
As you can probably see, radon testing isn't just important to a buyer. And because home owners can have an inspection performed (with the proper radon-testing kits) that is far more thorough than the short-term testing that can be performed during the real estate transaction, it can be equally as important to a home owner as well.
Labels: home inspection, home owners, inspection performed
