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 crawlspaces, roofs, and attics are not always included in the inspection; it all depends on your particular house. 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, although they are not required to do so.
In addition to a traditional home inspection, you may want to hire a professional to check your home for other serious problems, such as wood-destroying organisms, mold, lead, and radon. While the cost of performing these inspections may give you pause, the cost of discovering these issues after closing is much higher.
It’s always a good idea to hire a licensed pest inspector to check your home for wood-destroying organisms like termites and mold. Termite infestation wreaks havoc on the wooden structures in your home, keeping their presence a well-kept secret. Often, it isn’t until a great deal of damage has been done that you discover you have termites. This means sellers may not even know they have a problem. You buy the house, totally unaware of the hungry pests lurking behind the walls. When you finally discover its existence, you have a costly problem on your hands.
Mold and mildew can not only affect the strength and stability of the wood in your home, but can also have a serious impact on your health. In particular, the spores that are released into the air and reach the lungs are the most dangerous. If you are sensitive to mold, you could have respiratory problems such as asthma or sinusitis. Even if you are not allergic, you can experience skin and throat irritation if you are 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 can be present inside the home is lead-based paint. Until 1978, many houses were painted with paint that contained lead. If the home you’re considering buying was built before that year, be sure to hire a professional lead inspector to check for lead and determine if the paint poses a risk to you and your family.
Today, many home inspectors test for radon as part of their home exam, but it’s not standard practice. Due to the serious health problems that can result from exposure to this natural radioactive gas, it is a good idea to hire a certified radon inspector to test the home before closing the sale.
Radon is second only to smoking in terms of causing lung cancer. By inhaling these invisible, odorless particles, radon damages delicate lung tissue. Having your home tested for radon before you move in could save lives.
For a small investment, you can have peace of mind knowing your future home is safe from serious hazards like radon, lead, and pests. Plus, you could save thousands of dollars on repairs if problems arise. Do yourself a favor and hire specialists to examine the house before you sign on the dotted line.