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Home Inspections

Detecting Leaks

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How to Detect Leaks Inside and Outside Your Home While spring showers may be great for your garden and lawn, water from leaking pipes on your property can wreak havoc on your home. Leak detection is key to avoiding and resolving issues with moisture and water damage that may cause big problems down the road. There are several risks involved with water leaks around a home, so here’s what you need to know about common areas for leaks and how to detect a water leak inside and outside your home. Common Areas for Leaks Some of the most common areas for leaks in your home are toilets, leaking water pipes, or drains. The basement and crawl space are also areas where leaks are commonly found. You can check for leaks by examining areas that look and feel damp, but sometimes it’s helpful to get a home inspector with an infrared camera to confirm the origins and severity of a leak. Risks Associated with Leaks Leaks can cause a range of issues such as mold and mildew, increased utility bills, structural damage, and pest infestation. Mold and mildew are health risks that can lead to respiratory issues, and enough moisture in […]

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Home Maintenance Inspections

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The Best Way to Evaluate Your Home’s Health The spring and summer months are a busy season for home buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and home inspectors. While this time of year sees an increase in home inspections related to the buying and selling of homes, home inspections can be done at any point during the year, even if you’re not considering listing your home or buying one. There are a number of reasons why you may want to get a home inspection, and this guide outlines the purposes, benefits, and processes of home inspections for current homeowners. Purpose of Home Inspection The primary purpose for a home inspection is to identify any problems with your home’s structure and function and issue a clean bill of health. Although a home inspection is usually required when purchasing a home, many potential home buyers are waiving the home inspection requirement in order to make their bids more attractive to sellers. But, if you’ve noticed that something seems a bit off in your home, a home inspection can provide peace of mind or inform you about the repairs or renovations your home needs. Ultimately, a home inspection is designed to reveal any and […]

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Asbestos in the Home

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What To Do If You Discover Asbestos in Your Home If you’re planning on purchasing or renovating an older home, you should be aware of the risk of asbestos – a toxic mineral found in many homes built before 1980. While it is possible that an older home that you’re purchasing or renovating may have asbestos, there are ways to deal with this common problem with the right knowledge and professional help along the way. Read on for common questions surrounding asbestos and steps you can take to ensure it doesn’t pose a risk to your family’s health and safety.     What is asbestos? Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Because of these properties, asbestos was commonly added to cloth, paper, cement and plastic to create stronger building materials and to produce things like insulation. However, during the 1970’s and ‘80s it was discovered that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other cancers.  How is asbestos discovered in the home? It is possible that a home inspector can identify specific building materials (especially in older homes) that are commonly known to hold asbestos, such as vinyl floor […]

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Home Inspection v. Home Appraisal

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What Homebuyers Need to Know About Home Inspections and Appraisals First-time homebuyers often find themselves inundated with new terminology: “escrow,” “amortization,” “closing costs,” among others. The terms “home inspection” and “home appraisal” also get tossed around a lot during the home buying process, so it’s important to know what each one means and how they’re different. Understanding these differences can help first-time home buyers navigate the purchase process and understand the benefits of home inspections and home appraisals.   What Is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is a close, detailed physical inspection of all features of a property to ensure the overall function and safety of its rooms, appliances, and systems (such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing). During a home inspection, a professional, licensed home inspector will spend several hours and a multitude of tools examining inside and outside the home–including the roof, yard, basement, foundation, and chimneys–and identifying any major issues that require repair or attention before new homeowners move in.  The home inspection occurs before the actual purchase of a home, and its purpose is to protect potential buyers by informing about the exact condition of their desired property. During an inspection, the potential buyer is allowed, even encouraged, to […]

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How Home Inspectors and Real Estate Agents Work Together

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A Home Buyer’s Dream Team When buying a home, it’s important to have a team of professionals working together for you. This includes home inspectors and real estate agents. The home inspector is responsible for inspecting the property and identifying potential problems, while the real estate agent helps find a home that fits your needs and negotiates a fair price. When these two professions work together, it’s like having a team of experts on your side!  When you’re looking for a new home, it is a good idea to work with a real estate agent who understands your needs. They can help you find the right property and negotiate a fair price. But before you sign any paperwork, your real estate agent may encourage a home inspection to help determine the physical condition of the home. Typically these are scheduled within days after your offer has been accepted by the seller. In some cases, your mortgage lender may even require the inspection. The home inspector is responsible for inspecting the property and identifying any potential problems. They will look at everything from the roof to the foundation, and they will make sure that all of the appliances are in working […]

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Common Insulation Defects

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5 Insulation Problems Home Inspectors Look For  Insulation makes your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, so it must be in good shape to ensure a comfortable living environment. However, insulation defects can occur when insulation was not properly installed (usually because of a rush construction job and cost cutting measures), or simply due to old age. Here are five common insulation defects that your home inspector will be checking for.  Too Little Insulation The biggest insulation issue that many homes have is too little insulation, and insulation not reaching the recommended R-value, or resistance of heat transfer. Homes in warmer climates in the south have a recommended R value of 30; homes in the middle of the country need insulation with an R value of 38; and homes in colder northern regions like Minnesota and North Dakota need insulation with R values of 49.  To achieve the correct R-value, it’s sometimes necessary to layer insulation. For example, roll batting insulation with an R value of 13 can be applied between wood joists; but, you still need another layer to reach the recommended R value of 38. So, another layer of insulation, like a rigid foam […]

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Mailing Address

4227 S Meridian Suite C #290
Puyallup, WA 98373

Contact Phone

Seattle 206.930.6740
Tacoma 253-820-9650

Schedule an Inspection

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Mailing Address

4227 S Meridian Suite C #290
Puyallup, WA 98373

Contact Phone

Seattle 206.930.6740
Tacoma 253-820-9650

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Home Inspector since 2002
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