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What to Expect During a Home Inspection

What to Expect During a Home Inspection

Buying a home is a big decision, and it’s important to make sure you’re getting a good one. A home inspection can help you identify any potential problems with the property before you sign on the dotted line.

During the home inspection

the inspector will look at the entire property, from the foundation to the roof. They will check for things like:

  • Structural damage: cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceilings; uneven floors; sloping windows or doors
  • Water damage: leaks from the roof, windows, or plumbing; mold or mildew; water stains on walls or ceilings
  • Pest infestations: rodents, termites, or other insects
  • Electrical problems: faulty wiring, outlets, or switches; exposed wires; arcing or sparking
  • Plumbing problems: leaks, clogged drains, or faulty fixtures
  • HVAC problems: malfunctioning heating or cooling systems; poor air quality
  • Roof problems: leaks, missing shingles, or damaged flashing
  • Major appliances: malfunctioning appliances; outdated appliances

The inspector will also look at the overall condition of the property and make recommendations for repairs or improvements.

A home inspection typically takes a few hours to complete. The inspector will start by looking at the exterior of the property, including the roof, siding, windows, and doors. They will then move inside and check the foundation, walls, floors, ceilings, and all of the major systems and appliances.

The inspector will use a variety of tools to perform their inspection, including a ladder, flashlight, screwdriver, tape measure, moisture meter, drone, thermal camera, and more.

The inspector will take notes and pictures throughout the inspection. They will then write a report that details their findings. The report will include a list of any potential problems and recommendations for repairs or improvements.

You should be present for the home inspection. This will give you a chance to ask the inspector questions and learn more about the property.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your home inspection:

  • Attend the inspection in person. This will give you a chance to meet the inspector and ask them any questions you have.
  • Ask the inspector to explain what they are doing and why. This will help you understand the inspection process and learn more about the property.
  • Be prepared to answer questions about the property. The inspector may ask you about the history of the property, any recent repairs or improvements, and your plans for the property.
  • Take notes during the inspection. This will help you remember what the inspector said and any recommendations they made.
  • Get a copy of the inspection report. The inspection report will detail the inspector’s findings and recommendations.

A home inspection is an important part of the home buying process. It can help you identify any potential problems with the property and negotiate a better price. By following these tips, you can get the most out of your home inspection.

Give us a call with any Questions. We hope this helps!

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The Home Inspection Process

A home inspection process is an examination of a property to identify any potential issues or defects. Accordingly, this is a crucial part of buying a home. As it helps you make informed decisions about the property.

A home inspection should cover the exterior and interior of the property, including structural components, roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing,

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Mold Testing: Why it’s Important When Purchasing a Home

If you’re buying a home, you’ve probably heard about mold testing. And while it may seem like a regular part of a home inspection, mold testing is a critically important part of any real estate transaction. In addition to being risky for pets and people who live inside a home, the presence of mold can put your real estate investment at risk and expose you to liability down the road.

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A HOME INSPECTION

The home inspection: it’s the buyer’s best opportunity to uncover a home’s problems and negotiate to have them repaired or paid for (as long as the contract has an inspection contingency in place). If you’ve never experienced this process, though, you’re probably wondering what to expect from a home inspection.

How much will it cost? How does it protect your real estate investment? Do you need an inspection before buying a home?

We’ve got answers.

In this blog, we’ll discuss what to expect from a home inspection as either the seller or buyer.

Let’s dive in.

What to Expect From a Home Inspection? 3 Key Features

As a home buyer, a home inspection is the last chance to identify existing defects in the house (and negotiate to resolve them) before finalizing the purchase of the home.

As a seller, a home inspection ensures the good condition of the home you’re selling or planning to sell. With that in mind, it’s reasonable to wonder what the inspector will be looking for.

Here are the three key features of a routine home inspection:

  1. A home inspector will inspect the inside and outside of the home. This includes the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring and panels, structural components, roof, and foundation. The inspector will create a written report that details the inspection results.

  2. The inspection takes about 2-4 hours. Inspections can be longer or shorter depending on the size of the house, the number of defects, the thoroughness of the inspector, and the accessibility of certain home elements (like the attic, for example). Still, most take between 2-4 hours. The best inspectors will deliver your finished inspection report the same day.

  3. Buyers can choose to attend the inspection. While not all buyers choose to participate in the inspection, some want to learn more about the home and ask questions during the inspection process.

When the inspector issues their full report, you can expect it to include pictures and videos of the home’s defects listed under a separate tab for easy reading. Usually, most defects listed are minor and may not even need to be fixed before the sale.

Instead of worrying about minor defects, we recommend focusing on the home’s more severe issues, which you may need to repair before the sale.

What do Home Inspectors Look for?

Home inspectors have a long list of elements they inspect, as set forth by the International Association of Certified Home Inspection (InterNACHI):

Here are the twelve inspection categories certified home inspectors will review:

  1. The home’s roof.

  2. The home’s exterior.

  3. The home’s basement, foundation, crawlspace, and structure.

  4. The home’s heating system.

  5. The home’s cooling system.

  6. The home’s plumbing system.

  7. The home’s electrical system.

  8. The home’s fireplace (if applicable).

  9. The home’s attic, insulation, and ventilation.

  10. The home’s doors, windows, and interior.

How Much do Home Inspections Cost?

The cost of a home inspection will vary depending on the size of the house and the presence of systems like air conditioning and fireplaces.

In Montana, the average cost of a home inspection is between $450 for a small house and a basic inspection to about $1000 for a large home that requires ancillary inspections for things like radon and mold.

Who Pays for the Home Inspection?

In most cases, buyers are responsible for paying for the home inspection. That’s not always the case, however. Some sales contracts include language that requires the seller to pay, and the arrangement is always open to negotiation.

Sometimes, a house seller pays for an inspection before putting the property on the market. This allows the seller to identify and fix issues before listing the home.

How can Sellers Prepare for the Home Inspection?

Your home is under contract, there’s an inspection contingency in place, and the home inspector is scheduled to arrive at any time. How can you make the process easier for them? Here are a few tips we recommend:

  • Leave the keys (or be there to let the inspector in). If you opt not to be there during the home inspection, leave your keys under the doormat or the electrical panel, where the inspector can easily find them.

  • Turn on all pilot lights. If you have gas fireplaces or furnaces, make sure the pilot lights are lit so the inspector can verify the function of heating and other appliances.

  • Ensure access. Ensure there’s an unobstructed path to critical areas like the basement, attic, furnace, crawl space, drainage access points, septic tank, HVAC unit, water heater, and other major appliances. This makes the home inspection easier and faster for the inspector.

  • Have the utilities reconnected. If the house has been vacant and the utilities are off, have them turned back on for the inspection.

These are simple tips, but they’ll ensure a fast, comprehensive, accurate home inspection for you and your buyer.

What Happens After the Home Inspection?

If the home inspection report reveals only minor issues, the sale can usually go forward as planned. If the report indicates serious issues, though, the buyer and seller will need to work together to take action.

In some cases, an issue may warrant additional inspections. In others, a seller will negotiate with the buyer to have significant issues paid for before the sale closes. Rarely, the defect may be so severe that it causes the home sale to fall through.

If you find yourself facing severe issues on the home inspection, work with your real estate agent and home inspector to determine the next steps.

Why Choose us to Conduct Your Home Inspection?

When it comes time to choose a home inspector, professionalism and certification are key. Here at 406 Home Inspection, Pros, we’re Certified CE Instructors (Continuing Education Instructors).

The owner of our company is also the author of “The Top 10 Things Found During a Home Inspection” course currently offered to Realtors through the Montana Association of Realtors.

Here are a few more of our qualifications:

  • CPI – Certified Professional Inspector

  • AIC2 – International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants

  • CCPIA – Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Don’t settle for anything less than the best on your upcoming home inspection. Contact us today to book your inspection.

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YOUR MONTANA HOME THROUGH THE EYES OF A HOME INSPECTOR

If you’re considering buying a Montana home, there’s one thing you should know. The “perfect” home doesn’t have to be truly perfect. Most homes have minor defects and small problems that are easy to fix. The important thing is to go into the purchasing process with your eyes wide open. After all, nobody wants to be surprised by a big home repair bill they weren’t expecting.

Luckily, that’s where 406 Home Inspection Pros comes in.

Our team of trusted home inspection experts will inspect your home like we’re buying it. When you work with us, we provide the information and insight you need to make an informed purchasing decision.

In this blog, we’ll discuss a few of the things we look for during a home inspection. We’ll also talk about why a pre-purchase home inspection is so important to protect your investment.

Let’s dive in.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a step that usually takes place before the sale of a home. It includes a visual assessment of a home’s structure and systems, including the HVAC system, roof, ceiling, walls, and foundation. The home inspector will also evaluate the indoor lighting, electrical panel, water heater, and more.

During a home inspection, the home inspector will check the following things:

  • Major appliances

  • HVAC system

  • Insulation

  • Sealing

  • Plumbing and electrical systems

  • Roof integrity and lifespan

  • Flooring

  • Walls

  • Foundation

  • The presence of mold

  • Basement

  • Attic

  • And more

Finally, a home inspector will identify seemingly small issues, like a jetted tub that isn’t working or a lightbulb that’s burnt out in the hallway. The home inspector may also conduct a radon test if requested.

The idea is to present you with as much information as possible to help you make an informed house-buying decision.

How Home Inspectors Evaluate a Property

Home inspectors know how to separate the urgent from the important. They may make recommendations about things you should have fixed pre-purchase, and things you can wait to address in the future. Home inspectors also look at a home with a critical eye, but not a judgmental one. They aren’t there to tell you whether to purchase the home.

Instead, they use their skills to identify small or significant flaws in the home so that you know exactly what you’re getting into. For example, a home inspector might realize that the house you want to purchase needs a new roof or water heater, or that the foundation is cracked, and the home is unsafe and unstable.

When you have this kind of information before you buy the home, you can negotiate the terms of the purchase agreement, arrange for the seller to handle major repairs, or avoid purchasing the home altogether.

Your Montana Home Through the Eyes of a Home Inspector

So, how do home inspectors differ from real estate agents, builders, appraisers, or other people involved in the real estate sale process? The answer is simple:

A good home inspector looks at a house from a different perspective than an average homebuyer or contractor. Home inspectors know how to look past the small things and identify underlying issues that could be problematic, dangerous, or expensive down the road.

Structural Problems

The first thing a home inspector looks for are structural problems. While structural problems are rare, they can cause massive issues when they do appear, so home inspectors rule them out immediately.

Water Issues

In the experience of the team here at 406 Home Inspection Pros, problems usually start with water in one form or another. In Montana, this issue is particularly pronounced, thanks to our rainy springs and cold, snowy winters.

Roof Leaks, gutter problems, drainage problems, ground water, high water tables, poor lot drainage, and similar issues can all cause massive problems for a property.

Over time, water can lead to structural damage, mold, rot, foul odors, flooding, safety issues, and many other problems. Water can also destroy rugs, carpets, furniture, building materials, personal possessions, and more.

While a wet crawl space may seem urgent, it’s important to identify why it’s wet in the first place.  Removing the water without correcting the problem will only cause more damage down the road. This willingness to uncover underlying problems is what makes home inspections particularly valuable.

Even if your home inspector can’t tell you why something is happening, they can identify the problem and suggest a specialist in that field.

And More

Home inspectors have found some seriously wacky things during inspections, from beer boxes stuffed into electrical panels to crushed, rotten joists tasked with holding up the entire home. Fortunately, you can trust that your home inspector will evaluate every aspect of your home and report on any issues they find.

When to Get a Home Inspection

If you’re building or buying a home, you need a home inspection. While today’s competitive real estate market has seen some people waiving their right to a home inspection, we never recommend doing this.

Without a home inspection, it’s impossible to know if the home has dangerous issues, and how pressing those issues are. If you decide to proceed with a purchase like this, you may wind up buying a home that has dangerous issues that put you and your family at risk. Alternately, you may find out that the home needs repairs that you can’t afford to conduct, like a new roof or foundation, or a new HVAC system.

No matter how enticing it may be to speed up a sale by waiving the home inspection, we recommend insisting on an inspection at all costs. Inspections are quick and informative and could easily save you from buying the wrong home for your family or budget.

406 Home Inspection Pros: Proudly Serving Montana Homeowners

Here at 406 Home Inspection Pros, we pride ourselves on being the home inspector of choice for Montana home buyers and sellers.

Whether you want to check your new property for mold, or you need a radon test before purchasing a home, you can count on our team to deliver. Contact us today to learn more about our inspection services or to schedule your inspection now.

 

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WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER WAIVE A HOME INSPECTION

The housing market has been frenzied for the last few years. As such, buyers interested in purchasing homes are facing difficult odds. In a market saturated with all-cash, over-asking offers, many buyers are desperate to find ways to boost the chance of getting their dream home. One strategy many buyers choose is to  waive a home inspection in their offer.

While this may seem like a good idea, choosing to waive a home inspection is always a bad choice. In addition to leaving buyers vulnerable, it can also be dangerous. In this post, we’ll discuss why a home inspection is such a critical tool for buyers and sellers alike.

Let’s dive in.

What Does it Mean to Waive a Home Inspection?

An inspection contingency is a standard part of most offers to purchase real estate.The home inspection contingency is in place to protect buyers.

Here’s how it works: a home inspection is meant to uncover any drastic problems with the home, like a cracked foundation, extensive mold, or dangerous building issues. If issues like these are present, the inspection contingency also gives the buyer the right to have the issues repaired or to back out without sacrificing the earnest money they’ve already deposited.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is an inspection conducted by a professional. The purpose of a home inspection is to observe and report on the condition of a home, typically in the period right before a sale.

During a home inspection, a qualified home inspector will assess the condition of the property, including elements like:

  • The HVAC system

  • Plumbing

  • Electrical

  • Water

  • Sewage

  • Fire suppression and safety systems

  • Roofs

  • Foundation

  • And more

During the inspection, the home inspector will look for evidence of damage or defects that may impact the value or safety of the property. They’ll also note positive attributes of the home, and provide a detailed report for both the seller and buyer.

The Biggest Risks of Waiving a Home Inspection

The choice to waive a home inspection is common. Back in December of 2020, real estate brokerage Redfin reported that more than 30% of successful offers put in by its agents in Boston, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, DC opted to waive the home inspection.

While it may be common, though, waiving a home inspection is not a good idea. Here’s why:

You waive your legal rights

An inspection contingency gives buyers the opportunity to verify the good condition of the home before signing a purchase agreement. If you waive the inspection contingency, you’re agreeing to purchase the home “as is.” In the process, you sacrifice your legal avenue to cope with problems the home may have at the time of sale.

You assume financial risk

When you purchase a home “as is,” you have no way to recover costs or recoup earnest money if the house turns out to have serious problems. Instead, all costs are yours to resolve and pay for.

You’re putting yourself in danger

The purpose of a home inspection is to uncover issues that could be dangerous, expensive, or problematic for you and your family. If you waive your right to an inspection contingency, you’re essentially agreeing to live in the home without knowing about its major issues.

If the problem is something like mold, which can impact the air quality in your home and cause health issues for your family, this choice could be dangerous.

While waiving a home inspection may seem like it can make you more competitive as a buyer, it also makes you much more vulnerable. Home inspections are a critical part of the buying process for a reason. Choosing to waive yours only leaves you without an avenue of recourse if you find something wrong with the home or property later.

Fortunately, there are ways to make your offer more competitive without sacrificing your home inspection.

How to Make Your Offer More Competitive (Without Waiving Your Inspection Contingency)

Don’t put yourself, your family, or your investment at risk by waiving your inspection contingency. Instead, make the strongest possible offer with these tips:

Get Pre-approved

Before you make an offer on a home, have a mortgage pre-approval letter in hand. This demonstrates that your offer is serious and that you’ll be able to secure the financing needed to seal the deal.

Do your market research

Before you put an offer in on a property, look around at similar properties in the area to make sure you’re making a competitive offer. Your real estate agent should be able to help you in this process, and should provide you with several “comps” to research.

Make a larger down payment

While this may mean saving up for longer before you buy a home, seeing more cash upfront is always attractive to sellers. Not only does a larger down payment put more money in their pockets right away, but it’s another indication that the deal will close.

Add an escalation clause

An escalation is handy for sellers. The clause ends the back-and-forth negotiation between competing buyers. For example, if a client uses an escalation clause to automatically bid $1,000 over any other offer, up to a certain amount, it can result in a faster, more streamlined sale for the seller, and a competitive edge for the buyer.

Choosing the Right Home Inspector

Now that you know why a home inspection is so important, it’s easy to understand why finding the right home inspector is so important, as well. In addition to providing peace of mind for you as a buyer, a home inspection also protects your investment and your family.

Here at 406 Home Inspection Pros, we pride ourselves on inspecting your home like we were buying it. When you work with us, our team will provide the peace of mind, security, and transparency you need to make a smart purchasing decision. Contact our team today to learn more about our services, our qualifications, our certifications, and more or book your inspection now.

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5 TIPS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOME INSPECTOR

The housing market in the Flathead Valley has been hot for the last couple of years. Realtors, buyers, and sellers have been moving at full speed. Regardless of whether you’re selling, buying, brokering a deal, or remodeling, you’ll need a home inspection during the process.

Home inspections serve several important purposes. In addition to proving the satisfactory condition of the home, they help interested parties, like buyers, educate themselves about possible defects in the home, and avoid the surprise of costly repairs. Home inspections are especially important for out-of-state buyers, who very often have never seen the home they’re buying and need “eyes on the ground” to make sure the home is a good investment.

Still, finding the right home inspector can be easier said than done. In this post, we’ll discuss how to find a Montana home inspector you can trust, qualifications to look for, and everything else you need to know.

5 Tips to Choose a Home Inspector

Follow these five tips to choose the best home inspector for your needs:

1. Find an inspector who will perform the home inspection in your presence

Many people think home inspectors only work alone. Fortunately, that’s a misconception. In fact, the best home inspectors will encourage buyers, sellers, or other interested parties to attend the home inspection if possible.

Doing so will help you understand the things the home inspector is pointing out, and help you be more informed about the home. As long as you follow some common etiquette practices, attending the home inspection can be a positive, informative experience.

2. Read the inspector’s customer reviews

For more information on the home inspector, head to review sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Keep an eye out for any reviews that are very positive or very negative. These reviews will speak to the home inspector’s strengths or weaknesses, and help you understand what you can expect if you choose to work with them.

3. Ask about certificationscertified mold inspector

Before you decide on an inspector to hire, find out about the inspector’s background and certifications. What is the experience level and background of the Home Inspector? How many inspections has he or she done? Do they have specialized certifications, and if so in what areas?

Instead of hiring someone who does home inspections as a part-time job, look for someone who is a full-time home inspector, and not a part-time contractor.

4. Ask about what the inspection does and does not include

In some climates, home inspectors won’t inspect certain things during certain times of the year.

Here in Montana, for example, an inspector might not inspect a patio, driveway, deck, or roof that’s covered in snow. If the inspector won’t examine those things, ask about the best way to check their condition.

You may also want to ask about the services the inspector does offer. For example, do they handle labs and lab results? What about thermal imaging and drone inspections? Does the team offer mold and radon inspections? Be sure you get a complete picture of the home inspector’s services before you decide to hire the team.

5. Ask for copies of licenses and insurance

Before you hire the inspector, ask the inspector for copies of their license and insurance documents. Is the inspector a member of a professional organization like ASHI, NAHI, or InterNACHI? Each member of 406 Home Inspection Pros is, and we list our license and certification numbers right on our website for your convenience.

Great home inspectors will willingly provide copies of these documents, and other proof of their quality.

Finding The Right Home Inspector for Youchoosing the right home inspector

Your home is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make. Whether you’re building a new home, selling your home, or buying a pre-owned property, choosing an excellent home inspector is critical to protecting that investment.

The right home inspector will find defects in a home that could cost you, the buyer, money down the road. And as a seller, a home inspection can identify issues that may get in the way of closing the sale.

When you’re buying or selling a home, having a qualified home inspector is imperative. At 406 Home Inspection, we promise a thorough and complete home inspection, every time!

Contact us today for all of your home inspection, and independent mold, radon, and asbestos testing needs.

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WHAT TO DO WITH THE REPORT

SO, YOU HAVE A 62-PAGE REPORT, GREAT NOW WHAT!

Nearly every home inspection—even those on new homes—will turn up some issues.

Almost ⅓ of my inspections are on new homes

It is important to pick your battles when it comes to repairs requested from a home inspection. There are only so many repairs most sellers are willing to commit to – especially in a seller’s market and/or during short inventory

Things to let go

  • Under $100. Let it go

    • Things under $100, in general, are deferred maintenance unless it is a major safety issue or greatly diminishes the functionality of the Home

  • Things on the Sellers Disclosure

    • If the seller disclosed it, it is inappropriate to ask for it to be fixed because the Inspector also found it. The buyer knew about it before the inspection.

  • Things the Buyer and Agent noticed

    • If you know about it it should be taken into account on the original offer

  • Detached Structures

    • Sheds, Detached Garages and so on. They are not normally included in a home inspection unless stated

  • Cosmetic Issues

    • A deck needs staining, touching up paint, so on.

  • Crack In Basement Floor

    • The cracks are purely aesthetic. In fact, if you are purchasing a home that doesn’t have a few cracks you’re lucky.

DEAL BREAKERS

  • Major foundation issues

    • Foundation issues are a huge undertaking to repair and it tops the list of home-buying deal breakers

  • Radon Tests High (and no mitigation)

    • Radon needs to be in the guidelines set forth by the EPA. Eliminating this risk is easy through professional mitigation

  • Asbestos

    • Unless disturbed, asbestos isn’t usually problematic.  Asbestos insulation around pipes that is friable [crumbling] is a serious health issue and should be remediated prior to closing.

  • Aluminum wiring

    • If your potential home has it, it could mean big trouble.

  • Buried oil tanks

    • Before electrical heating came along, some homes had oil tanks buried in the backyard to funnel fuel to the house during winter.

  • Polybutylene plumbing pipes

    • These pipes had their heyday as a cheap alternative to copper in the ’80s, but it didn’t last long.

  • Upgrades without permits

    • It can be a very bad thing if the homeowner in charge had a DIY streak and a problem with authority.

  • Major Structural Issues

    • A leaking roof or substantial building violations.
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TOP 10 MOST COMMON HOME DEFECTS IN MONTANA

1. Faulty or missing raingutters—clogged or bent gutters, water not channeled away from house.

  • The cure: Preventive maintenance; gutters of adequate size, splash pans to divert run-off
  1. Raingutters are not there to keep ice from forming on your walkway  They are critical to getting the water away from the foundation and will prolong the life of the home

2. Faulty wiring—open junction boxes, amperage mismatches, no wire nuts on wires, double taps.

  • The cure: Fix junction boxes; upgrade to at least 100 amps
  1. Homeowner upgrades are the most common things needing to be corrected, sticking another wire on a circuit breaker for some plugs in the basement seems like no big deal, but it can be if not done correctly

3. Poor grading and drainage—spongy soil around the foundation, signs of leaking in basement.

  • The cure: Regrade so that grounds slopes away from house for 10 feet; remove porous material around foundation.
  1. This goes a long way to the gutters not being installed or installed incorrectly. Did you know planters built up against the house can cause huge problems as well?

4. Basement dampness—water stains, powdery residue on walls, mold or mildew.

  • The cure: Repair gutters to channel water away from house; apply waterproof coatings to basement.
  1. Welcome to Montana, easily the greatest state in the nation and we love our water playgrounds. Just not in the house or under it

5. Roof problems—brittle or curled shingles; broken or missing flashings.

  • The cure: Apply new shingle, or tear off if needed (usually after three re-roofs ); replacing flashings, especially around chimneys and other protrusions.
  1. Notice that most things here are comming back to water getting into, under, or around things you dont want it too?

6. Foundation flaws—cracks in foundation, sloping floors, sticking doors or windows.

  • The cure: Fill cracks with silicon caulking or epoxy; apply waterproof coating to exterior.
  1. Water again, water is a powerful force, after all it did create the Grand Canyon

7. Poor upkeep—needs repainting, worn carpeting, cracked driveway.

  • The cure: Give the house a minor facelift.
  1. Good old fashioned wear and tear

8. Faulty plumbing—inadequate water pressure, slow drains, signs of leaks on ceilings.

  • The cure: Clean and rout drains; reseat toilet with new wax ring, repair leaks.
  1. Water?

9. Poor ventilation—extreme heat in attic, vapor condensation.

  • The cure: Ensure that roof soffits are not blocked; install additional roof vents; vent bathroom and kitchen fans outside.
  1. Ice Dams (frozen water) is caused by too little insulation and too little ventilation in the Attic. Heat tape is not a cure, it is a bandaid. The idea is to keep the attic cool and not melt the snow agains the roof in the first place. Ad Insulation and increase ventilation to cure ise dams

10. Defective heating—cracks in the heat exchanger or water tank; carbon monoxide leaks.

  • The cure: Reseal chimney flues; replace sacrificial anode in water heater.
  1. Hmm No water jokes come to mind but it water again

Robin Patrick 2019

406 Home Inspection Pros

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WATER PRESSURE AND YOU

What Should My Water Pressure Be?

Residential water pressure tends to range between 45 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). Anything below 40 psi is considered low and anything below 30 psi is considered too low; the minimum pressure required by most codes is 20 psi. Pressures above 80 psi are too high. Whereas low water pressure is more of a nuisance than a serious problem (some fixtures, like washing machines, have minimum pressure requirements), high water pressure carries with it a significantly increased risk of damage to pipes, joints, fixtures and seals – not to mention increased water waste.

How Do You Measure and Correct Water Pressure?         

Water pressure can be easily measured and monitored with a simple, inexpensive water pressure gauge that threads onto any hose bibb. “Lazy hand” gauges feature an additional high-level indicator, which remains stuck at the highest pressure experienced until the gauge is reset. This type of gauge can let you know if you’re experiencing any spikes of high pressure, which can also cause problems.

To reduce high pressure in a home, you’ll need a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV). In fact, these are often required by code for pressures beyond 80 psi. These devices do exactly what they say, reducing pressures of up to 400 psi down to a reasonable level of your choosing (most are factory set at 45 psi).

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