Tag: mold inspection

Mold Inspections Before Buying a Home

Posted on

Mold can take over a home very quickly if it has the right atmosphere in which to thrive. Before you buy any home, you should do a complete inspection. One of the best places to find a good company in Tallahassee is Yelp. Below are some simple guidelines you can use to determine whether or not mold has invested a home you may want to purchase.

Water Marks

Water marks on the walls of a home are one way to identify a possible mold problem. Mold thrives on moisture.  Watermarks are a sign that the property may have been damaged by a water intrusion.  The watermarked areas, if left untreated, can lead to mold infestation. Contact 360 Degrees Home Inspections for an inspection.

Musty Smells

Musty smelling rooms are also a sign that there may be a mold infestation in the home. Laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and basements that smell musty are all clues that the home may be infested with mold. If you smell must in the kitchen, be sure to open the kitchen cupboards where plumbing may be installed to see if the musty smell is stronger in this area. If the bathroom has cupboards around the wash basin, then open them and look out for the smell of must. If the musty smell increases once kitchen and bathroom cabinets are open, then this is a sure sign of mold infestation.

Stucco Construction

If your potential home was built in the last three or five years, the walls might have been constructed using synthetic stucco as insulation material. While synthetic stucco is very beneficial for improving insulation if it is installed improperly it can become a medium for water to penetrate the walls of a home and cause mold growth inside the walls. While a home inspection can be costly if you are seriously contemplating buying a home, you’ll need to have the home professionally inspected for mold in the insulation.

Legal and Real Estate Agents

In some states homeowners are mandated by law to disclose mold problems, you and your real estate agent should ensure that the owners are aware of this law once it is enforced in your state. This will increase your chances of full disclosure about mold problems in the home. It is also a good idea to ask questions about whether pipes have burst over the years or if there are windows that leak since incidents like these can lead to moisture formation and mold growth.

Mold damage is costly to eliminate and can lead to respiratory problems for you and others who will live in the home. Since, your finances and health are at risk when a house is infested with mold, any sign of mold damage should be treated as a serious issue.

What Are The Key Components Of A Home Inspection?

Posted on

If you’re planning on buying a new home, you’ll have to have a home inspector look at it first. This may seem unnecessary, but it protects you. Sometimes, a home may have problems that are easy for you to see. But in other situations, a house may have hidden problems that only a professional can find.

pre drywall inspection

Below, you’ll find some of the key components of a home inspection.

1. Checking The Roof

Roofs usually do not need regular maintenance to stay in excellent condition if they have been installed correctly. Depending on the material of the roof, they also need to be replaced every 10 or 15 years. An inspector will examine the roof and determine whether or not it still needs work.

2. Examining The Foundation

In addition to looking for problems at the top of the home, an inspector will do a careful check underneath the home as well. They’ll look for any cracks or faults in the foundation. Foundation damage can cause significant problems down the road.

3. Checking For Mold

A home inspector should always test a home for mold. Mold isn’t always something you’ll notice when doing a walk through of a house, but it can cause a lot of major issues. A mold inspector should be able to check to see if there is mold behind the walls or beneath the flooring.

4. Looking For Electrical Issues

Faulty wiring can be a big problem. If left untreated, it could cause electrical issues to occur. Inspectors will make sure that there are no problems with the home’s outlets or wiring.  Only hire a licensed electrician to do the repairs.

5. Looking For Leaks

Even if you don’t see any water when you walk through a home, a savvy inspector should be able to find evidence of leaks. A homeowner can mop up standing water before a walkthrough, but they can’t hide proof of a leak completely.

6. Examining The Furnace

Older homes often have older furnaces to go with them. These furnaces can wind up experiencing a lot of problems. The inspector will examine the furnace so that they can determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

7. Checking For Pest Problems

If a home has rats, termites, or some other kind of vermin, you’re probably not going to want to move your stuff into it. An inspector knows what the signs of vermin are. If they suspect that the home has some pest problems, they’ll pass along the information that they have to do.

8. Providing You With A Written Report

After an inspector completes a visual inspection of the home, they’ll provide you with a detailed report. While they should talk over any major issues with you, reading through the report can give you a better idea of the home you’re buying.

You shouldn’t be too nervous about a home inspection. If something is wrong, the inspector will be able to keep you from making a big mistake. On the other hand, with a positive report, you’ll be able to move into it without worrying. You’ll know that the inspector already checked the house from top to bottom.  Read more about our services here.