Services

Home Inspections

Before you sign the dotted line, getting a home inspection is a crucial step in the home buying process. Here are some points you need to know about what you can expect from a good home inspection, and what should always be checked and disclosed.

A thorough home inspection will include the following:

Roof: Shingles, flashings, chimneys, vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, downspouts, and other visible roof related items
Attics: Insulation, ventilation, rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, and other visible related items
Plumbing and Fixtures: Water pressure, water distribution system, hose bibs, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets, sanitary system, and other plumbing system components.
Interior: Floors and ceilings, walls, stairs (if applicable) and banisters, finishes, sinks, cabinets, shelving, built-in appliances and other visible interior-related components
Heating and Cooling Systems: Furnace, air cleaning parts, ductwork, air conditioner and lines, and other visible related HVAC components.
Electrical Systems: Service entry and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related electrical components.
Basements, Crawl Spaces, and Foundation: Insulation.
Exterior: Siding materials, attachments, windows, doors, sashes and lintels, vents, entryways, and other visible exterior related components. ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns
Decks and Porches
Environmental Issues
Fireplaces
Overall Structure

Radon Testing

Why Should I test for Radon?

a. Radon Has Been Found In Homes All Over the U.S.

Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water. Your home can trap radon inside.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for information about radon in your area

b. EPA and the Surgeon General Recommend That You Test Your Home

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

You cannot predict radon levels based on state, local, and neighborhood radon measurements. Do not rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood to estimate the radon level in your home. Homes which are next to each other can have different radon levels. Testing is the only way to find out what your home's radon level is. EPA

In some areas, companies may offer different types of radon service agreements. Some agreements let you pay a one-time fee that covers both testing and radon mitigation, if needed. Contact your state radon office to find out if these are available in your state.

U.S. Surgeon General Health Advisory:

"Indoor radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It's important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques." January 2005

Radon Mitigation

Radon Mitigation Key Elements

The system should be installed in accordance with the U.S. EPA's Radon Mitigation Standards if no local building codes exist. The EPA model standards provide helpful, specific guidance. For example:
The discharge shall be at least 10 feet above grade, 10 feet away from an opening which is two feet below the discharge, and above or at the eave of the roof.
If the exhaust pipe is routed outside the home, the discharge must still meet the above criteria System fans should not be located inside the home or in a crawlspace. They can be in an attic, outdoors, or in a garage, provided there is no living space above the garage.
There should be an indicator located in a prominent place that will easily let the occupant know if the system is functioning properly.
Power to the fan should be supplied in accordance with local electric codes; including permits where required. All portions of the system are to be labeled and a simple instruction manual, with warranties, provided to the homeowner.
All homes with mitigation systems should be retested no sooner than 24 hours nor later than 30 days after installation, to verify reduction. The home should also be retested every two years.

All Homes Can be Fixed

Reliable techniques exist for reducing radon levels in homes. Experience with radon mitigation systems has developed to the point that virtually any home can be fixed, either by a trained radon contractor, or in some cases, by homeowners who accomplish the repairs themselves.

How do I treat radon?

Research by public and private agencies, combined with years of extensive hands-on mitigation experience and long-term follow-up studies on the durability of mitigation systems form a strong knowledge base of proven mitigation techniques. The techniques are straightforward and, for a typical single family residence, can be done in one day by a qualified contractor. Radon reduction requires more than just sealing cracks in a foundation. In fact, caulking and sealing of foundation openings, on its own, has proven NOT to be a reliable or durable technique. However, sealing is done in conjunction with other mitigation steps.