Most people understand the importance of a home inspection when purchasing a property. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the house and see if there are any glaring problems.
A professional home inspector can identify both significant and minor issues. With this information at your fingertips, you'll be able to assess whether or not you should move forward with the purchase.
While a home inspector does an excellent job looking over the structural and mechanical details of the property, other things should be investigated outside of the inspector's usual practice.
We are going to take a look at what is called specialty inspections. These are the inspections for things outside the scope of what most home inspectors provide a buyer in their standard inspection.
Checking The Well Water
The quality and quantity should be checked when purchasing a house with private well water.
If you're purchasing a property that relies on private well water, a professional must check the quality and quantity of the water.
Poor water quality can lead to many health problems. You'll also want to make sure that there's enough water to meet your needs. Usually, you'll need at least 3-5 gallons per minute to accomplish minimal household needs.
A well water inspection by a professional in this line of business can give you peace of mind and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase the property.
A well inspection will provide you with the necessary information on how to rectify any issues and how much it will cost. A well inspection is vital, considering how essential a water source is to living daily.
It should be noted that if you buy land to custom-build a home, it is no less important to check the water source. There are many things to investigate when buying land and the viability of the water source is one of them.
What Are The Radon Levels in The Home?
Radon is a tasteless and odorless gas that should be checked when making a home purchase.
It is present in the environment almost everywhere. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. Radon exposure can cause lung cancer.
When purchasing a home, it is crucial to have the radon levels checked. If the levels are high, there are ways to mitigate the problem. A home inspector can provide information on proceedingif high radon levels are found.
Radon can be checked using a continuous monitoring machine or a charcoal canister. The test is usually conducted in the lowest livable level in the home. So, if the basement is finished, it's where the test would be set up.
The EPA recommends that radon be mitigated when the level is higher than 4 pCi/L. When levels are higher than 4.0, it's recommended that a mitigation system be installed.
Check For Lead Paint
If you're purchasing a property built before 1978, it's essential to test for the presence of lead paint. Exposure to lead paint can cause several health problems, especially in children.
A professional inspection can give you peace of mind and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase the property.
The Federal lead paint law says that lead paint must be removed when a child who is six or younger is residing at a property. Violating the lead paint law can result in significant fines.
Check For Mold on The Property
While a home inspector can look for signs of mold, they usually cannot tell definitively if mold is present. If you are concerned about the possibility of mold in a property you are considering purchasing, it is vital to have the property tested by a professional.
Mold is a fungus that can grow in homes and other buildings. Mold can cause various health problems, including respiratory infections, allergic reactions, and even cancer.
Mold is something that should be dealt with by the owner of the home when identified. It is a reasonable request for any buyer to purchase a home free of mold.
Sellers should mitigate the mold when found.
Mold removal can be expensive, depending on how extensive it is in the home. The place it is found most often is where water penetration has occurred, such as the basement or attic. Bathrooms are also familiar places where mold can be found when ventilation is lacking.
Check The Inside of The Chimney
While a general home inspector will check the chimney from the outside and the condition of the firebox, they cannot tell you the exact condition of the chimney's interior.
To do this, you'll need a level two fireplace inspection. There are professionals whose sole job is to inspect the interior of a fireplace. It can be worth the money when it is suspected to be in poor shape.
When there is a build-up of creosote in a chimney, it could cause a fire.
Final Thoughts on Specialty Home Inspections
These are some of the most essential things that should be inspected outside the standard home inspection. While specialty investigations will increase home inspection costs, they are crucial items to check.
Specialty home inspections can be a valuable way to ensure your home is safe. Make sure to speak with a qualified specialist to learn more about the inspection process.
Your real estate agent should be able to provide referrals for some of the vendors that perform these inspections.
Did you enjoy this home inspection article? See other articles from Bill Gassett on News Break for more timely real estate tips and advice. Bill often writes about general real estate, mortgages, finance, moving, and home improvement.
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