When buying a home, I offer you greater peace of mind and clarity on your purchase with a pre-purchase home inspection. For sellers, I help to ensure a smooth transaction with maximum return with a pre-listing home inspection. Additional services include termite inspections, sewer scope inspections, testing for radon gas, mold air sample testing, and meth contamination testing.
Purchasing a new home also means buying that home's problems. With a pre-purchase home inspection you can see exactly what you're buying. Problems discovered during the inspection could allow you to renegotiate to offset the costs of repairs — potentially saving you thousands of dollars. I'll even help you become familiar with the property.
Sometimes selling your home can be just as much of a roller coaster as buying one. Getting a pre-listing home inspection can help ensure a quick and smooth transaction. You can enter the selling process with confidence that there won't be any nasty surprises. You'll also avoid delays, which could last for weeks or even months.
Radon is a naturally produced, radioactive gas — and the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarettes. Radon gas can enter your home through the foundation and collect in the basement. A radon test will help to protect your family by checking for hazardous concentrations. If levels are too high, then a radon mitigation system should be installed.
While I do check for mold and moisture issues during a regular home inspection, they are not always visible at the time. By taking air samples from inside the home, and comparing those to samples taken outside, I can test to see if there are problems with mold gowth. Sampling for mold spores can give you an idea of the concentration of mold spores and which types of mold are present. This is especially important since some mold growth can be toxic, and mold spores can cause symptoms of mold exposure in some people.
Commonly referred to as a termite inspection, Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspections look for more than just termites, including wood boring beetles and wood destroying fungus. Termites alone cause billions of dollars in property damage every year in the United States. Because they can be difficult to detect, a properly trained inspector is necessary to check for the presence of any WDOs in your home.
Methamphetamine can be manufactured with little experience or equipment and can be created just about anywhere. The production or heavy consumption of meth results in the chemical residue seeping into furnishings, carpets, walls, and so on. This exposure can cause issues such as exacerbated asthma, trouble sleeping, ADHD-like behavior, etc. Children are at particular risk. I can help you protect your family by taking samples from the home and testing them for methamphetamine contamination.
Check faucets and showers, looking for visible leaks as well as testing water pressure. Identify the types of pipes used, if visible. Identify the location of the main water shutoff valve.
Identify the type of wiring, test all outlets and make sure there are GFCIs installed where needed to protect from electrical shock. Inspect the electrical panel for safety issues and fire hazards.
Determine the approximate age of the furnace and air conditioner, whether or not they function properly, and possibly recommend repairs or maintenance.
Determine the approximate age of the water heater and check for proper installation. I can also determine the condition and possibly give an estimated remaining life span of the unit.
Check for proper ventilation. A poorly ventilated dryer exhaust can be a serious fire hazard.
Test smoke detectors and ensure that the garage wall, if present, has the proper fire rating and is undamaged. Also check the fireplace for proper installation and maintenance.
Check for visible leaks, properly secured toilets, proper ventilation to prevent moisture related issues, and more.
If possible, check for structural damage and proper ventilation. Also check insulation and ensure that nothing is ventilated directly into the attic, such as the bathroom.
Check for damaged or missing siding, cracks, and excessive soil contact which can be an invitation for pests.
Check for possible foundation failure, indicated by cracks or settling.
Check to ensure that the ground slopes away from the house, which prevents water from entering the house or causing damage to the foundation.
If accessible and visible, check for roof damage or poor installation that may allow for water penetration as well as checking the condition of the gutters.
Test the garage door for proper functionality, check for proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and check for risks of explosion from ignition sources too close to the floor.
DO cHamp Home Inspections provides professional home inspection services in Salt Lake City and surrounding communities. Not sure if that's you? Give me a call at (801) 503-1335 or send me an email.