Home inspections are done to make sure that you are buying a home that is in good condition. That being said, there are many problems that are commonly found during home inspections. These include:

Water damage. Water damage is one of the worst things that you can find during a home inspection. It can really do a lot of damage to a home. It can destroy the structural integrity of your home. Water damage can also lead to mold, which can be harmful for your family.

Bad roof. Since most people don’t get up on top of the roof when they look at buying a home, it is important that it get inspected properly. Shingles may be missed, flashing may be broken or missing, or the entire roof may need to be replaced. If the roof is bad, water may get into the home, which can lead to even more problems.

Poor drainage and grade sloping. If the outside of your home doesn’t take water away from it, it can cause even more water damage. The land should slope away from the home and not toward it.

Faulty wiring. Electrical system problems can also be bad. They can turn into fires, which can really destroy a home, so it is a good idea to have a home inspector do a thorough examination of the wiring of the home.

Bad foundation. If there are problems with the foundation of the house, it may be quite costly to fix. It may even make you want to walk away from a home.

Water damage is the most common problem that home inspectors see. It could be due to a bad roof, plumbing problems, or even poor drainage on the outside of the home.  The electrical system can cause fires so that needs to be repaired. Also, you need to make sure that the house has a good foundation, or you may just want to walk away. Contact True North Home Inspection at (603) 229-2571 if you have any questions or to schedule an inspection!

Radon Testing: Protect Your Health from Harmful Gas

Radon is a harmful gas that can cause various health challenges to human bodies. That is why radon testing is imperative. The test will help you determine whether your home is safe or not. Read on to learn more about radon testing.

Effects of Radon on the Body
When radon gas circulates in the air, it is easy for human beings to inhale the gas. It is a harmful substance that can cause serious health challenges such as lung damage.  Therefore, radon testing is a crucial consideration to help you know if your home is safe.

Professional Radon Testing
Since radon is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, running the test alone using a DIY test kit can be challenging and ineffective.  The radon test kit is not time-integrated. It might not get you accurate results.

Hiring a professional to run the radon test can be a good option.  A professional has in-depth training and the right certification and knows the correct test to run to get accurate results.

The radon test can either be electric or active. An electric test uses a Teflon disc, while an active test requires electrical power.

While professional radon testing may cost you a few dollars, you’ll get accurate results that can help you make informed decisions and save the lives of your family members.
A professional will run several radon tests for a while until you’re sure there is no more radon gas in your home. The radon test could take up to a year at intervals. During each test, a professional will determine the radon levels until the problem is fully settled.

The Bottom Line
If you’re planning for a radon test, True North Home Inspection can help you run an effective test that will give you accurate results. Contact us today!

What is a Home Inspector Looking for in an Attic?
The attic is seen as just a buffer space between your living space and the roof. It is an important structural component to the home, however. When you have your home inspected, you will find the home inspector probably spends a fair bit of time up in the attic. This is because several issues can be spotted from up there, and they can be indicators of further damage deeper inside the home. So what is the home inspector looking for while up in your attic?

Structural Damage
The home inspector will be looking for damage to the structure in the attic since it holds up the roof. This can also include checking for roofing damage not immediately obvious from the roof itself.

Fire Damage
While the homeowner needs to disclose fire damage when selling, it can be easy to cover it up. Yet, often that cover-up job does not include the attic. You may find soot, scorch, and other fire damage in the attic that effects the integrity of the home.

Water Damage
When inspecting the attic, the inspector will not only look for water damage from a roof leak, but for moisture caused by faulty ventilation or leaking plumbing as well. Typically, the attic is where inspectors find water damage if the homeowner doesn’t already know about it.

Insulation
Great attic insulation will help minimize your heating and cooling costs. The inspector will judge whether there is adequate insulation in your attic and make sure the batts are facing the right way as well.

Chimney Condition
The chimney will also be inspected from the exterior and roof of the home, but the inspector will also want to look at the portion that is in the attic to make sure it is properly sealed as well as inspect the mortar on the brick.

Contact True North Home Inspection at (603) 229-2571 if you have any questions or to schedule an inspection!

Why Is There Radon In My Home? 

The results of an inspection may reveal something no homeowner wants to deal with: radon. Radon is present at toxic levels in many houses throughout the US, but its discovery within your own home is particularly unsettling. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a wealth of data relating to radon and the health risks it poses, so action must be taken. An understanding of how radon functions show that homeowners must regularly monitor the levels in their house. Read on to learn how unsuspecting homeowners find themselves with a radon problem and how to prevent the health consequences of its presence.

What is radon? 

Radon is a naturally occurring element that results from chemical processes taking place in the earth’s crust. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is toxic when present at high concentrations. Though radon exists at low levels in nearly all the air we breathe, it can reach toxic levels if allowed to accumulate in buildings.

How did it get in my house? 

As the ground under your home releases radon gas, it slips through cracks and holes in the foundation of the building. Gradually, this process can result in a toxic concentration of radon. Homes are excellent at trapping this element within its walls, so the process can reach severe levels of toxicity before the homeowner is aware of a problem. It is critical homeowners understand all houses are susceptible to concentrated levels of radon, whether it has a basement or not.

What can be done? 

As the ground shifts and your home ages, gas accumulation can change and increase the potential for toxic exposure. Accordingly, the EPA recommends testing your house for elevated radon levels approximately every two years. There are simple solutions to ensure your home and health are protected from radon poisoning if concentrated levels are found. Radon mitigation systems are relatively inexpensive and very effective at removing this toxic gas from your living space.

Radon toxicity is an alarming reality for many homeowners around the country. Thankfully, peace of mind is achievable through regular testing done by qualified professionals. Please Contact True North Home Inspection today with any questions about radon testing or to schedule a radon test.

Do You Need to Be Present For A Home Inspection?

Whether you are buying a home or a seller getting a property ready for sale, a home inspection is a must. A home inspection gives a detailed report on even minor issues that may be deal breakers for some or even make the property unsafe. However, do you actually need to be present for the home inspection?

Benefits of Attending Your Home Inspection

It is not mandatory that you attend your home inspection. The process can go on without anyone present at all, and you will be left a report of all the issues. However, all home inspectors strongly recommend that you do attend because of the number of benefits your physical presence offers.

Explanation of the Issues In-Person

The biggest benefit of attending your home inspection is that the home inspector can explain issues to you as they find them. The report lets you know what is wrong, but the home inspector will be candid enough to tell you how big of an issue that is and potential problems it will cause if you leave it that way.

Questions Asked and Answered

A home inspector has seen a thing or two when it comes to home problems. Particularly for home buyers, being able to ask them questions about a property, as a pretty neutral party in the matter, can be great when helping you make a decision.

Learning the Ins and Outs of a Property

Home inspectors learn about a property quickly because they have a lot to check. Often they can introduce you to important elements like gas and water shut offs. If you do buy the home, it is really quite important to know where these are.

While it is not required to be present at a home inspection, typically you want to make the time if you can. Home buyers in particular will find it a major benefit in the home buying process.

Contact True North Home Inspection at (603) 229-2571 to learn more about home inspections or to schedule your inspection.