Frequently Asked Questions!
Q: What is a home inspection?
A: A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home. If you are thinking of buying a house, townhouse or condominium, you should have it properly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and impartial professional home inspector..
Q: Why can't I do it myself?
A: Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected thousands of homes.
Qualified inspectors are familiar with the many elements of home construction, proper installation and maintenance. They understand how the home's systems and components are intended to function together, as well as how and why they fail.
Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may affect their judgment. For the most accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the home inspection field.
Q: Can I come to the inspection?
A: While it is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, it is a good idea. By following the inspector through the inspection, observing and asking questions, you will learn about the new building and get some tips on general maintenance. This information will be of great help to you after you move in.
Q: How long will the inspection be?
A: An average inspection will take about 2 1/2 hours.
Q: What if the report reveals problems?
A: If the inspector finds fault in a home it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to renegotiate the purchase price because of significant problems discovered in an inspection. If your budget is very tight, or if you don't wish to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the house for you. The choice is yours.
Q: Can a house "fail" an inspection?
A: No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector will not "pass" or "fail" a house, but will accurately describe its physical condition and indicate needed repairs and/or replacement.
Q: What is radon and where does it come from?
A: Radon is a radioactive noble gas that comes from the decay of radium in the soil. Radium is also a daughter or progeny nuclide of uranium. Radon is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that can only be detected through the use of proper equipment and protocols. Chronic exposure to elevated radon levels has been linked to an increased incidence of lung cancer in underground miners.
Radon is constantly being generated by the radium in rocks, soil, water and materials derived from rocks and soils, such as certain building materials. Radium is a decay product of uranium which is naturally occurring in the soils and rocks of the earth's crust. Uranium is present at about 0.5 to 5 parts per million (PPM) in common rocks and soils. The concentration of radon gas in the soil will be related to the amount of uranium present. However, this is not a good indicator of the level of radon in an individual home. The radon concentration in a home is dependant on the type of soil the home is built on. Cracks, openings and various penetrations in the building foundation will provide the pathway for the radon in the soil to enter the home. The ventilation rate and air flow patterns within a house are important factors that will affect how much radon will be pulled into different areas within the house.
Radon can also be dissolved in ground water and can be introduced into the indoor air through the aeration of well water during its use in washing machines, showers, etc.
Q: What are the health effects of radon?
A: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Many homes contain radon concentrations that are high enough to give their occupants lifetime exposures that could increase their risk of developing lung cancer. As one inhales, radon decay products in the inhaled air are deposited in the lungs. Radon and its decay products emit alpha and beta particles and gamma photons. The alpha particles are very damaging if emitted from radioactive material within the body. The alpha particles can strike sensitive lung tissue causing damage to the cells in the lungs subsequently increasing the risk of lung cancer. The risk associated with this exposure is thought to increase linearly with increasing radon concentration, so the higher the average radon level is in a house, and the longer the exposure period, the greater the risk to the occupants.
Q: How can I reduce the radon levels in an existing house?
A: Radon levels in a house can be reduced. This can be done by several methods, but one of the most widely used methods is the active sub-slab depressurization system. This technique will reroute the radon gas from the soil away from the house, by venting the soil gas from beneath the basement to a point above the roof. This technique is very effective and will typically cost between $1600 and $2500 to install. The Radon Mitigation Standards contain useful mitigation information. .