The Most Common Questions About Home Inspections
Having pursued a career as a home inspector through my passion for building science, I love working with engaged and curious homebuyers in hopes of increasing confidence and understanding of the home they are purchasing. These are some of the most common questions that I discuss with many of my clients.
How long before the roof needs to be replaced?
The most accurate answer to this question has more to do with a homeowner’s budget and tolerance for risk. In other words, it's difficult to say how long a roof might last. After all, the moment a roof covering is manufactured it begins to age, but its functional lifespan is mostly dictated by the wear and tear it experiences once it is installed. However, there are several observations about a roof that can be an indicator of a roof nearing the end of its useful life that may prompt the need to budget for replacement. These include excessive granule loss, hail damage, recurring leaks and missing and damaged shingles.
Should I worry about radon?
The harm radon can cause to your lungs is not in question. What is in question is one's perception of how radon's known risks fit into the numerous additional health risks we manage and factor into our regular decision-making. One of the ways we evaluate risk is through our perception of when a problem may occur(proximity) and how big of a problem will it be (magnitude).
Making an informed decision about radon in your home starts with long-term radon monitoring. A short-term radon test is like looking at the day's weather forecast to predict the season.
For those interested in having the most accurate understanding of ongoing radon levels in the home, long term radon monitoring is necessary regardless of the results from the two-day real estate radon test.
Is there anything not included in a real estate home inspection that I should do to learn more about a home?
While a home inspection is a thorough visual inspection, there are more comprehensive services that a buyer or homeowner may consider soliciting to gain the most in-depth understanding of a home.
These may include soil testing, heating & cooling equipment evaluation, duct leakage & blower door test, well & septic inspection, thermography, etc.
A conventional real estate home inspection might be considered what a used car buyer might do when looking around a vehicle in a lot. While additional diagnostic services are more like taking the car for a test drive down to your trusted mechanic to put together a better story of the vehicle's condition.
If you are a homebuyer in Asheville, North Carolina or Western North Carolina and would like a real estate home inspection or a homeowner seeking to learn more about your home or building, get in touch! Contact Energy Home Inspection. Check out EnergyHome Inspection's Services, including Real Estate Inspections and Building Diagnostics.