March 5, 2024
What is the first thing that clicks your mind when you think about a home inspection service? Do you picture an inspector walking around the property, checking out the plumbing, or taking a closer look at the rooftops or the flooring? You are right, but there’s more to home inspection; there’s another side of home inspection that is often overlooked: the environmental inspection. The foundation, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and sewage systems are definitely major inspection areas, but environmental inspections equally hold the same importance.
When it comes to making sure your home is safe and a healthy place to breathe in, this type of inspection can be a lifesaver. The environmental inspection usually covers unseen dangers that could be equally harmful as the visible ones, such as air and water quality, and potential hazards like mold or radon, which are hidden beneath the surface of the property and can affect not just the property but also the occupants.
Let’s find out what is the environmental inspection all about:
What could be more important than breathing in clean air and living a healthy life? Indoor air can sometimes be more hazardous than outdoor air. For instance, dust buildup around the HVAC system’s filter can result in poor air quality; these dust build-ups occur when HVAC systems are not cleaned for a long time, or their filters have not been replaced frequently. The dust can cause respiratory issues and trigger different allergies and asthma attacks; therefore, a professional property inspector makes sure to inspect all HVAC systems installed on the property to ensure that your home is a safe place to breathe in. They also inspect the combustion heating equipment or gas appliances present in the property, as these appliances, if not fitted well, can result in gas (carbon monoxide) leaks or even fires.
Home inspectors look for signs of mold and moisture around plumbing fixtures and damp areas like basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. These not only damage the property structure but also trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems. A professional home inspector visually inspects the areas and may also utilize moisture meters to detect moisture on materials like wood and drywall to check whether the materials are excessively damp, as it can be a sign of ongoing moisture intrusion or water damage in the property.
Additionally, infrared thermography cameras are also used by professional home inspectors to detect hidden moisture issues, as these cameras can easily identify differences in the property’s temperature and the temperature of materials present in areas like behind the walls, floors, and ceilings.
To uncover the hidden moisture and mold issues, the home inspectors also evaluate the exhaust fans and other ventilation systems present in the property to ensure proper airflow and also inspect the drainage system, like gutters to check the effective flow of sewage water.
They may also suggest some strategies for repairing leaks and removing mold-infested materials to protect your home from such health hazards.
If you’re planning to purchase a property, make sure that it is safe from hazardous materials like lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials. Lead can affect the nervous system and result in cognitive impairment, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Whereas, asbestos can affect the lungs and can create breathing issues. A professional home inspector will conduct tests to identify such substances, which can be harmful if disturbed or deteriorated. An expert inspector with the help of visual and laboratory testing, will help you determine such environmental issues in your property.
In conclusion, home inspection is not just about spotting the cracks in the roofs or looking for major damages on the surface areas of your potential property. Home inspection is all about making your house of dreams a perfect place to live in. It is not just about the assessment of the physical appearance of your property but also ensuring safe and healthy living conditions inside it. So, if you’re looking to invest in a property or want to purchase your dream house, make sure your home inspector evaluates it professionally and not only identifies the structural concerns but also gives equal attention to the environmental concerns.
At e-spection, we make sure your property is structurally sound and safe from environmental hazards. From dust, mold, and moisture to dangerous gases and other indoor pollutants, our inspectors assess every aspect of your property for your peace of mind. We have been providing incredible professional home inspection services since 2008. As a forward-thinking company, we believe in evolving with advanced technology and utilizing advanced equipment and tools to deliver the best possible inspection services to our clients.
We offer professional buyer and seller inspections, commercial property inspections and environmental inspections.