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HOW
TO Use The Inspection Report
Most
homeowners know it’s important to have a professional
home inspection prior to buying a property.
Too many, however, don’t know how to take
full advantage of the report. They read the report,
buy the home, and file the report away with
other papers. The
smart homeowner is one that
reviews and acts on the report (and the smart
agent will recommend his client does exactly
that!).
On the report, the homeowner should read with
interest the following sections:
1. The Condition of the Home’s Systems.
The average life expectancy
for a hot water heater is 10
to 12 years. A central air conditioning
unit may give you 10 to 15 years;
an asphalt roof’s lifespan is similar. Clients
should ascertain the age of the home’s
systems and keep in mind that, as the
systems get older, conditions deteriorate and
significant problems can develop. The client
should anticipate such problems and budget in advance for
replacements.
2. Maintenance Recommendations.
One of the leading causes of home defects is poor maintenance.
Fortunately, it is also one of the
easiest to correct. Buyers should be advised to do
routine tasks, such as changing furnace filters and repairing
cracked caulking. If the buyer
is unable to perform the task himself, he should hire a
professional. The important
thing is that the maintenance is done. This will increase the
operating efficiency of the
home’s systems, saving the homeowner money in the long run.
3. Long Term Suggestions. The
inspection report not only discusses short-term repairs. A
good report will also detail items that are less critical — and
less expensive — but still
important for the homeowner wishing to get her money’s worth
from the report. A homeowner
should review these suggestions and prioritize them. Then
she can develop a plan to address all the items over time.
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continued
from front page...
•
incorrectly designed
exterior wall systems
allowing water to
penetrate the assembly and
be absorbed by the wall
sheathing
•
other water penetration,
which may be the result of
roofing, window, and foundation
leaking
What
does mold need to grow? Well, it
must have moisture or any type of water
intrusion, such as dampness or high
humidity. It also needs building materials
containing cellulose, such as drywall
and carpets. Limited ventilation and
sparse sunlight are conducive to mold
growth as well, while mold thrives in
a suitable temperature, above 25
degrees Fahrenheit.
If optimal conditions are present, mold spores
will multiply within 48 hours. Optimal
conditions include saturated building
materials, humidity over 40 percent,
and lack of light and air circulation. Those
spores are amazingly concentrated —
one square foot of moldy drywall contains
more than 300 million mold spores.
Musty smells are a good indicator of
the presence of mold. Also, discoloration ranging
from white to orange and from
green to black may also indicate a mold
problem.
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