I know what you’re thinking. “A home inspection in Los Angeles is only for old homes that have had time to wear out and break down. My house was just built by a great builder and is just fine. I don’t need to spend even more money on a complete inspection when I know everything is ok.” Well, you are totally right – hopefully. There are just a few things you might want to consider before you spend your first night in your new home.

1. Here is the best reason for a home inspection on new construction I have ever heard. Imagine your new house was built and the builder forgot to complete the connection to the sewer or septic system. It has happened more than once and talk about expensive to fix! Imagine all that yummyness collecting under the house!

2. You are buying a new home and it should be perfect shouldn’t it? You set high standards for yourself in your work and don’t let things slide by that are “good enough” you know you should fix. You also probably expect all the different subcontractors who worked on your house always work as diligently as you do.

Many problems found in old houses were built into them when they were brand new. Everyone makes mistakes, but you shouldn’t have to pay for the ones your builder makes just because you decided to save a few hundred by skipping a home inspection by an independent third party.

3. The bank, county or city makes sure houses are built to code and everything is working as it should, right? Unfortunately, the bank only cares that the different stages are completed, not that they are free of defects and potential hazards. As for the county, they are overworked and cannot be on site at the needed times to check everything before potential problems are covered up.

So there you have three good reasons to have an independent pair of eyes checking things for you. In fact your home inspector is the only person on the whole project that is not negatively effected when mistakes are found.

A home inspection in Los Angeles can be done during or after construction and is the best way to give yourself complete piece of mind.

Learn more about what goes into a home inspection in Los Angeles and schedule your home inspection Los Angeles. Call Tim at (909) 256-0452 or visit today at http://losangeleshom-inspection.com.

When you buy a house, one of the areas that will be inspected is the roof. But do you know what the inspector is looking for? In this article I’ll discuss seven components of the roof that the inspector will be inspecting.

1. Roof Style – Roof styles vary based on age of the home and the area the home is in. Many older homes have a gable style roof, while many newer homes have hip style roofs. A lot of time it depends on the area and the building practices used in the area. Some larger homes may have a combination of hip and gable depending on the design.

2. Roof Covering – Roof covering come in a variety of materials and styles such as composition shingle, wood shake, standing metal seam, concrete tiles, etc. When looking at the roof coverings, the inspector will comment on the current condition of the materials and search for any areas that maybe leaking or susceptible to leaking.

3. Visible Flashing – When the inspector examines the roof one of the things he will be looking for is the roof flashing. If the flashing is visible, the inspector will comment on it’s condition. Occasionally the flashing is not visible. If this is the case, the inspector will make a note in the report that the flashing could not be inspected due not being visible.

4. Roof Penetrations – Roof penetrations like plumbing sacks, gas vents, and roof vents are prime locations for roof leaks to develop. These areas have either metal flashing or a rubber boot that helps to prevent leaks at these locations. In most cases if these areas are leaking, it will be visible from inside the attic.

5. Chimneys – During the home inspection, the inspector will comment on whether or not a chimney is present. If the home has a chimney the inspector will examine the flashing and the height of the chimney to be sure it is in working order.

6. Skylights – The inspector will make a comment about whether skylights are present or not. If present he will examine the flashing around the skylight to determine is there is any leaking.

7. Gutters and Downspouts – The inspector will document as to the condition of the gutters and downspouts on the home and if they are in good condition. In addition they should be firmly secured to the house and clean allowing storm water to freely follow off the roof.

Final Comments

Many inspectors inspect the roof from the ground with binoculars, from the eave with a ladder, or through a window in a dormer. Most insurance companies prohibit inspectors from walking on the roof due to liability reasons.

Hubert Miles is a SC Home Inspector and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Hartsville Home Inspector see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.

Now that you’ve decided to purchase a home, it is time to hire a home inspector. When the home inspection begins, one of the areas that will be inspected is the exterior. During the exterior portion of the inspection, the home inspector will inspect seven different parts of the exterior.

1. Trim and Eaves – The home inspector will examine the trim work and eaves for wood rot and other damage. This is typically done with a ladder or with a set of binoculars. The inspector will also evaluate the gutters, if installed, to determine any defects.

2. Exterior Siding Material – The home inspector will analyze the exterior siding of the home and report on any defects in the wall covering. The home inspector will also provide the kind of material on the exterior walls. Commonly used materials are brick, vinyl, wood shake, and stucco.

3. Paint and Caulking – The home inspector will report on the general condition of the painted exterior areas like the siding, windows, doors, porches, etc. In addition, the caulking will also be examined around the doors and windows.

4. Windows and Doors – During the home inspection, the home inspector will report on the overall condition and any defects present, such as broken glass, in the home inspection report.

5. Window Screens and Storm Doors – If the home has storm doors, the home inspector will examine them to verify that they are functioning properly. Any missing or torn window screens will also be included in the home inspection report.

6. Patios, Balconies, Porches, and Decks – The home inspection report will include the overall condition of the decks, patios, porches and balconies affixed to the home. Some of the common problems exist with the steps, railings, and wood to soil contact.

7. Additions – The home inspector will report if the home has had any additions to the home. The home inspector will examine the area around where the structures meet to determine if any defects exist. Any defects will be included in the home inspection report.

Hubert Miles performs Home Inspections in South Carolina. If you are searching for a Charleston Home Inspection see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.

The attic is one of the main areas that the home inspector will examine. While inspecting the attic there are five parts of the attic that the home inspector will evaluate.

1. Attic Access – The attic access location would be located by the home inspector. Before accessing the attic, the home inspector will document the condition of the access door and if there is an attic ladder. The home inspector will also determine if the ladder is safe and if the feet sit firmly on the floor.

2. Insulation – Inside the attic the home inspector will document the kind of insulation present and the approximate depth of the insulation. Insulation comes in various forms, the two most popular being roll fiberglass or blown insulation. The home inspector will also determine if the insulation is relatively even or if bare spots exist. Covered attic areas will be documented as not visible.

Ventilation – Most attics will have a two ventilation points. The types of ventilation points are soffit, gable, ridge, and roof vents. Below is an explanation of the vent types.

Soffit vents are found under the eaves of the home. These vents should be free of insulation to prevent blockage. Baffles should be installed to maintain the free space between the vent and the insulation.

Gable vents are placed inside the exterior wall directly under the eaves on the gable roof. Screens are installed to prevent any birds or bats from nesting inside the attic.

Ridge vents are located across the top of the roof above the ridge beam. These are usually found on hip style roofs where no gable is present.

Roof vents or fans are put in the roof sheathing in holes cut between the rafters. These vents are often installed on the rear of the house for cosmetic purposes.

The two vent sources ought to be from two opposite origins. For instance, gable roofs have both gable and soffit vents. Where hip roofs will have ridge and soffit vents. Elaborate roof formations will possess multiple vent opening.

4. Structure – The home inspector will analyze the framework and roof underlayment to make certain they’re installed right and have no broken, cut or missing framework.

5. Roof Leaks – The home inspector will analyze the vents and roof penetrations for evidence of roof leaks such as water staining and rotted wood.

The home inspector is not required to inspect any area where the head room is less than three feet high. The home inspector is not required to inspect any areas where hazardous material is present such as mold.

Hubert Miles is a South Carolina Home Inspector and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Charleston Home Inspector see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.

categories: real estate,home,house,property,land,inspection,finance,business,home inspection,home inspector

As part of your home inspection, the home inspector you hire will throughly inspect the garage for structural defects and any safety hazards that exist. There are five main components of the garage the home inspector will be inspecting. These areas are:

1. Kind of Garage – Initially, the home inspector will determine what kind of garage the home has and how many average sized cars the garage will hold. There are many kinds available such as attached, detached, built-in, basement, or carport.

2. Structure – The structure of the garage is defined as the materials it is constructed out of. Most garages fall into the most common types which are masonry and wood frame. The inside of the garage will either be unfinished or finished. An unfinished garage has exposed wall studs, wiring, plumbing etc. A finished garage will have the walls insulated and covered with either wood paneling or drywall. The home inspector will also examine the garage floor for cracks and settlement problems.

3. Electrical – The garage will likely have some electrical outlets and switches. The home inspector will test the electrical outlets to verify they are wired properly and determine if they have GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection. If the electrical panel box is located in the garage it will be noted in the home inspection report. All other electrical details will be within the electrical part of your home inspection report.

4. Garage Doors and Openers – The home inspector will examine the garage doors for defects and if automatic garage door openers are installed. If automatic garage door openers are installed, the home inspector will test them to see if they are operating correctly. The home inspector will also determine if the auto reverse feature, a safety feature that prevents the door from closing on someone, is functioning properly.

5. Plumbing – The home inspector will determine if the hot water heater is located in the garage and if it is installed properly based on the fuel source. Gas water heaters should be installed at least 18 inches off the ground on a secured platform. The home inspector will also test any sinks or plumbing fixtures.

The home inspector may have other items to inspect based on the size, type, and amenities inside the garage. Any items inspected will be included in the inspection report. Some items may not be inspected and will be listed under the limitations section of the home inspection report.

Hubert Miles is a SC Home Inspector and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Dillon Home Inspector see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.

categories: real estate,house,home,property,inspection,business,family,finance,home inspection,home inspector

When you hire a home inspector to inspect a home you are buying one of the things he will be inspecting is the homes foundation. Here is an overview of what the inspector will be looking for.

Initially, the inspector will need to find out what type of foundation the home has. There are three different types of foundations – basement, crawl space, and concrete slab. The foundations are different and each are inspected differently.

If the home has a basement, there may be some limitations to the inspection based on if it has been finished. The inspector is trying to determine if the basement presently has or has had a moisture problem in the past. For an unfinished basement is there any water staining on the concrete? For a finished basement, is the carpet stained, is there a mildew smell, or is the hardwood flooring separating, curling or cupping at the seams?

There are other items the inspector will examine while in the basement. These items include any exposed wood framing, electrical components, plumbing pipes and fixtures, and any systems like the water heater or the heating and cooling system if present.

Crawl spaces should be fully inspected if the head space is at least 18 inches high and free of debris, rodents, spiders, and reptiles. If the inspector can not inspect the crawl space for one of these reasons, it must be documented in the inspectors report.

When inspecting the under the home the inspector will be looking at the piers and the foundation walls for stability and any cracking. The inspector will look to see if there is any insect damage to the exposed wood framing. Also, the inspector will look to see if the dryer vents to the exterior, if there are enough wall vents, if the ground is wet from condensation or a plumbing leak, the condition of the HVAC ductwork, and if there is insulation present between the floor joists.

When the home has a concrete slab, it can only be inspected from the exterior, unless the interior has not been floored yet. On the exterior the home inspector will be looking to see if there are cracks present in the concrete slab and if the ground around the slab is sloped away from the home.

In Closing

Many times the foundation installed is dependent on the grade of the land and soil type. It is not uncommon for a home to have two foundation types on a sloped lot. If the slope is steep enough the home may have all three foundations installed on a home.

Hubert Miles is a Home Inspector in South Carolina and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Georgetown Home Inspection see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.

categories: real estate,home,house,property,land,inspection,foundation,business,finance,home inspection,home inspector

Your home inspector will inspect the electrical components of a home you are planning to buy. Many people wonder what the inspector will be looking at. Here is what you can expect from the electrical part of the home inspection.

1. Panel Box – The panel box will be inspected to determine the size in a amps, the location of the main disconnect, and if the panel has fuses or breakers. All defects will be reported in the inspector’s report.

2. Wiring – The inspector will identify the type of branch wiring utilized in the home to take electricity to the light fixtures, switches, and outlets. All visible defects, like frayed, grounding or double taps, should be described in the home inspection report.

3. Service To The Home – There are two types of service to the home, overhead and underground. The inspection report will outline which service type the home has and if any problems exist.

4. Grounding Cable – The home inspection report will identify the location and type of grounding cable used. Sometimes you can not see the cable because it is protected by conduit.

5. Outlets, Switches and Fixtures – During the inspection a random selection of accessible outlets will be tested. This is done to determine if the outlets are wired properly. The light switches will be operated in order to determine if the light fixtures respond correctly. If a light fixture doesn’t respond to the light switch, it is written up in the home inspector’s report.

6. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – The home inspector will find out if GFCI breakers and outlets have been put in and what areas in the home are protected by a GFCI outlet or breaker. The home inspector will also test these outlets and breakers with an electrical tester to affirm they are working correctly.

7. Smoke Detectors – If smoke detectors are installed, the home inspector will test and report the finding in the inspection report.

There are a few limitations to the home inspectors examination. For safety reasons the following limitations generally will apply:

1. Insert testing instruments or tools any main or auxiliary electrical panels.

2. Engage an electrical system or branch circuits that are not on at the time of inspection.

3. Do not move appliances or furniture to get to electrical outlets or panels.

4. Inspect equipment that the inspector can get easily get to.

5. Dismantle equipment or component for any reason.

6. Test all fixtures, switches, and receptacles.

7. Remove electrical cover plates on outlets and switches.

Hubert Miles is a Home Inspector in South Carolina and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Myrtle Beach Home Inspection see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.

categories: real estate,home,house,property,land,inspection,business,finance,electrical,home inspection,home inspector