Home Inspections

May 1 2023

Why Get an Inspection for a New Home:

Robert JonesConstruction, Home Inspections, Information homebuying process, inspection, tips

Common Questions about New Construction Inspections Newly constructed homes are attractive to potential buyers because without previous residents, it seems less likely that a new home will have problems. But, newly constructed homes can also have structural and mechanical issues that you should be aware of, which is why new builds need inspections, too. Some newer homes are built with speed, rather than quality, in mind, which can lead to costly repairs down the road. Here are some reasons why new construction homes also need inspections. Why get an inspection for a new home? You should get an inspection for a new home, just as you would a previously-owned home because sometimes builders make mistakes, and you need to be aware of these problems before moving in. An inspection for a new home may reveal hidden issues that should be addressed with repairs or maintenance before you start living there. How many inspections does a new home need? A newly built home can have up to three inspections before residents move in. The first is called a foundation inspection, which happens before concrete is poured for the foundation. This inspection looks at how the ground has been excavated and graded, […]

April 21 2023

Problems to Look for When Buying an Old Home

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, tips

Older homes certainly have unique features that newer homes can lack, like built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, crown moldings, and stained glass windows. Some older homes also boast high quality materials; for example, walls are more likely to be built with plaster and lathe, making them more soundproof. While you may be excited about the possibilities of living in an older home, there are still common issues to be aware of. Read on for information about problems to look for when buying an old house. 1. Foundation The foundation supports a house’s entire structure, so issues with a foundation are critical to the overall safety and livability of any home. As a foundation ages, these issues may occur: If an inspector notices any of these warning signs of a damaged foundation, you should schedule some repairs. 2. Lead Paint Homes built prior to 1978 are likely to have lead paint, which has since been banned from consumer use because it is toxic, especially for young children. It’s possible that an old house may have a coat of lead paint underneath layers of newer, safer paints. If an inspector discovers the presence of lead paint, it can be removed safely with the […]

March 27 2023

Tips for Keeping Your Home Sale Ready

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information homeowners, inspection, sellers, tips

When it comes to real estate, first impressions matter. That’s why you want to make sure your home looks its best before you put it on the market. Potential buyers want to see themselves in a fresh, clean home that’s been well-maintained. Here are some tips to help you keep your home sale ready inside and outside without doing any major or expensive upgrades. Consider Curb Appeal When you decide to list your home, aesthetics are everything. Be sure your house looks attractive from the street by completing these minor improvements to the front exterior: Care for the Backyard Buyers like a well-maintained backyard that they can see themselves spending time in, so consider these updates: Freshen Up Interiors Potential buyers love walking into a home that feels bright, clean, and airy. Here’s how you can create that feeling in your home: Minor Repairs People want to see a home in good condition, so little things like these matter: Once you’ve completed these tasks, you can call a professional home inspector to get more information about the systems in your home that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Call South Sound Inspections to schedule a pre-listing inspection that will give […]

February 22 2023

Thermal Imaging FAQs

Robert JonesHome Inspections homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, thermal imaging

What is Thermal Imaging and What Qualifies an Inspector to Use It? A home inspection is an important step in the process of buying a house, or if you’re determining what repairs need to be done in your current home. Thermal imaging is a type of technology that amplifies the typical home inspection by providing detail and information about a home’s components that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Thermal imaging can help detect energy loss, moisture, hot spots, plumbing leaks, and more. Because these issues usually take a while to present themselves visually, thermal imaging can catch warning signs so you have time to complete necessary repairs. Read on to learn how thermal imaging works, why it’s important, and what qualifies a home inspector to use the technology in your next home inspection. What Is Thermal Imaging? Thermal imaging is a non-invasive technology that detects temperatures and moisture levels on surfaces like walls, ceilings, floors, and around windows and doors. As an inspector passes a camera over certain areas, it produces a color-coded “heat map” to show where a home may be losing heat through door and window cracks. Hot areas are usually indicated by yellow, red, white […]

December 28 2022

Tacoma Side Sewer Inspections

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, Repairs, sewer inspections, side sewer, tacoma

What Local Homeowners Need to Know If you live in Tacoma, WA, and you’re planning to schedule a home inspection, you should know about a recommendation from the city of Tacoma regarding your side sewer, or lateral sewer: the part of the sewer system that connects your private property to the public, city-maintained sanitary sewer main. In order for the city to better maintain its public sewers, it’s important for individual homeowners to do their part in ensuring that their property’s plumbing systems are in good condition. Read on to learn more about what this kind of inspection requires and how it can benefit homeowners. What is a side sewer inspection? A side sewer inspection is a detailed examination of a privately owned sewer pipe that sends wastewater away from a home’s toilets, laundry room, drains and sinks and into the city’s main sewer line that’s usually located in the street. This kind of inspection looks at a home’s drainage and plumbing system up to the point where it joins the public sewer. Some cities, like Tacoma, recommend that homeowners get a side sewer inspection to ensure that their private line doesn’t have any issues that will impact the home […]

December 13 2022

SOUTH SOUND INSPECTIONS ANNOUNCES NEW SEWER SCOPE SERVICE

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information, Press news, press release, sewer scope inspections, side sewer scope

(Tacoma, WA) Beginning January 1, 2023, South Sound Inspections will offer sewer scoping services. South Sound Inspections serves Seattle-area homeowners with thorough, expert inspections that provide critical information about the condition of their home. South Sound Inspections’ sewer scoping services give homeowners a glimpse into their sewer lines to identify blockages, leaks, or damaged pipes. These inspections are done with a high-quality camera affixed to a flexible line that is drawn through sewer pipes to provide real-time footage of the pipe’s interior. Sewer scope inspections can help to spot damage otherwise invisible to the naked eye and may prevent expensive plumbing repairs. South Sound Inspections founder Robert Jones believes that launching this new service will benefit local homeowners. “Our goal at South Sound Inspections is to give homeowners the most accurate information about the condition of their property. By expanding our services into sewer scoping, we can help people become more knowledgeable about the plumbing and sewer components on their property.” South Sound Inspections was founded in 2002 to serve Seattle area homeowners with expert, unbiased property inspections. For more information, contact 253-820-9650