Yearly Archives: 2023 (Page 3)

16Feb
Testing for Radon During a Home Inspection

Testing for Radon During a Home Inspection

When you are buying or selling a home, an important part of the inspection process is testing for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can be found in homes. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Knowing whether or not your home has elevated levels of radon is essential to ensuring the safety of your family. Let’s take a closer look at why radon testing during a home inspection is so important.

Radon Basics

Radon is a natural element that can occur in any type of soil or rock. It enters homes through small openings in walls and foundations. High levels of radon can be found anywhere, regardless of the age, size, or construction type of the building. In fact, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States has an elevated level of radon.

Why Test for Radon?

Testing for radon during a home inspection should be done to ensure that your family isn’t exposed to potentially dangerous levels of this radioactive gas. If high levels are found, techniques such as sealing cracks and installing ventilation systems can be used to reduce them. The cost for these services varies depending on where you live and the extent of work required. But the pricing could range anywhere from $800-$2000 dollars. It’s best to test for radon before making final purchase decisions rather than after you’ve moved into the home and have been living with elevated levels without knowing it!

The Testing Process

The testing process involves placing two small devices called charcoal canisters inside your home. One is placed upstairs and one downstairs, for 48 hours while they absorb air samples from both areas. The readings collected are then sent off to an independent laboratory for analysis. The results are typically available within 5 business days and some labs offer express service. If elevated levels have been detected, further testing may be necessary in order to properly diagnose the issue.

Conclusion

Having your home tested for radon during an inspection is essential if you want peace-of-mind when it comes to protecting your family’s health and safety. Especially since there is no way to tell if elevated levels are present without taking measurements directly from within your walls. Fortunately, this process is relatively simple (and affordable) compared with other tests included in most inspections such as those related to electrical systems or asbestos exposure. This makes it an easy decision that should always be considered when buying or selling a property! Contact us today to learn more.

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02Feb
How to Safely Remove Lead-Based Paint from Your Home

How to Safely Remove Lead-Based Paint from Your Home

If your home was built before 1978, there is a good chance it is painted with lead-based paint. Exposure to this type of paint causes serious health problems and can be extremely hazardous if not handled properly. Sound Structure Home Inspection is here to help you understand how to recognize and safely remove lead-based paint from your home.

What is Lead-Based Paint?

Lead-based paint is an oil or water-based paint that contains lead as an ingredient. It was used on both the interior and exterior of homes prior to 1978. This type of paint has been known to cause neurological damage, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and other serious health issues due to the inhalation or ingestion of the particles.

How do I know if my home has lead-based paint?

If you are unsure whether or not your home contains lead-based paint, we recommend having a professional inspection performed. It is best to use a licensed inspector such as Sound Structure Home Inspection to ensure the inspection is done properly. Our team will be able to identify any potential hazards in your home. Sound Structure Home Inspection performs a  detailed visual assessment that includes testing for the presence of lead in paints and finishes.

How do I safely remove lead based paints?

Removing lead based paints is a difficult job. That is why it’s always best practice to hire a professional who has experience dealing with hazardous materials like lead. Professionals will use specialized techniques. These may include sanding, scraping, wet wiping, chemical stripping, and even heat guns that are specifically designed for removal of hazardous materials. They will also take additional precautions such as using respirators while working on surfaces containing lead-based paints. In addition, they will dispose of all hazardous waste in accordance with state regulations.

Conclusion 

In summary, identifying and removing any potential dangers associated with lead based paints is important for maintaining the safety of your family’s health. If you think that your home may contain potentially hazardous materials like these, then it’s best practice to contact Sound Structure Home Inspection for a professional evaluation. Our team will provide you with an accurate assessment of the situation. This way you can make an informed decision about what steps need to be taken next in order to keep your family safe.

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19Jan
Understanding What’s in a Home Inspection Report

Understanding What’s in a Home Inspection Report

Sound Structure Home Inspection is here to help you get the most out of your home inspection. We want to make sure you understand what goes into an inspection report and how to read one. This is so that you can make an informed decision about the house you’re looking at purchasing. Let’s review the basics.

Home Inspections Are Comprehensive 

A home inspection covers a wide range of areas within your house. This includes structural components like walls and beams, electrical systems, heating/cooling systems, plumbing, and more. The inspector will also look for any signs of water damage or pests such as termites and other wood-destroying insects. Once the inspection is complete, the inspector will compile their findings into a written report for you to review. 

Reading an Inspection Report 

An inspection report should include details about every area that was inspected in the house. The report should also include any issues or deficiencies found during the inspection process. The report will include photographs of any significant issues that need attention. It should be easy to read and understand; and if it’s not, don’t hesitate to ask questions! This information can be invaluable when deciding whether or not to purchase a particular property.  

Interpreting an Inspection Report   

Once you have read through your home inspection report, it’s important to take some time to interpret what it all means for your potential purchase. If there are items that need repair or replacement, contact a contractor who can provide estimates on how much those costs might be so that you know what kind of budgeting needs to be done before making an offer on a property. It’s also important to consider whether or not these issues are deal breakers or if they are minor enough where they could be overlooked in favor of buying the property anyway.     

Conclusion   

A home inspection from Sound Structure Home Inspection provides peace of mind when considering buying a new home by giving buyers access to detailed information about all aspects of the property before signing on the dotted line. By understanding what goes into an inspection report and being able to interpret its findings, buyers can make more informed decisions about their potential purchases knowing that they are making sound investments for their future. With our help, we will make sure you have all the information needed before making such an important decision!

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05Jan
How long does a home inspection take?

How long does a home inspection take?

It’s important to understand the entire process when you’re buying a new home. From finding the right mortgage to closing on your dream house, there are a number of steps you need to get through before you can move in. One of the essential steps is getting a home inspection. But when you’re trying to figure out how long it will take, should you plan for an hour or an entire day? Let’s find out! 

The average home inspection takes between 2-3 hours. This depends on the size and age of the house. Home inspections typically focus on the structure of the building and its overall condition. An inspector will check for any signs of damage or wear-and-tear that could affect its value or safety. This means they’ll be looking at things like walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, as well as any visible insulation, electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures. 

When scheduling your home inspection with Sound Structure Home Inspection Services, you can expect them to take about two hours for smaller homes and up to four hours for larger ones. Their inspectors also offer additional services such as radon testing and mold/air quality testing. These may add additional time onto your home inspection appointment if requested. During each visit they conduct their industry leading service. This includes not only inspecting the physical attributes of a property but also providing you with helpful information.  The information found during their inspections is so that clients can make informed decisions about their purchase or sale. 

Inspectors take their time because they want to be thorough. However, there are some other factors that can cause delays during your home inspection appointment. For example, if there are pets in the house (or even just outside) they may need to be taken care of while Sound Structure Home Inspection Services conducts their work safely and efficiently. Additionally, if certain areas of the house are blocked off due to furniture or other items being stored, then those areas will not be able to be inspected properly.  It is best if those items are moved away from blocking access points – which could delay results until those items have been removed from storage areas by either someone else in the family or by Sound Structure Home Inspection Services themselves if asked ahead of time by clients in advance (included in select packages). 

Conclusion

Ultimately, it’s hard to predict exactly how long a home inspection will take due to potential delays caused by external factors. These may include pets or blocked access points within homes. However, Sound Structure Home Inspection Services’ experienced inspectors strive for excellence in both performance and customer service satisfaction. You can usually expect anywhere from two to four hours depending on size and age of property being inspected! Contact us today for more information about our services and how we can help make sure your next real estate transaction goes smoothly!

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