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• A Simple Guide To Home Inspections

  It’sIt’s natural for a seller to be concerned about what’s happening inside your house while you’re not there. But while you worry over whether the inspector will treat your house fairly, the buyer needs to know that the property they’ve agreed to purchase is in the condition that was represented.

  At Pro-Spec, we believe every client deserves an inspection they can trust- one that will give them peace of mind and help them make an informed decision. So we go beyond what any other home inspection company does by performing our inspections with a detailed checklist and doing a thorough review of all.

  

  What to expect from an inspection?

  A home inspection in Pennsylvania is a detailed examination of a house’s structural and mechanical systems. A full home inspection includes:

  • Checking the roof for leaks or damage.
  • Looking at the plumbing system for leaks or other problems.
  • Inspecting electrical wiring for safety issues.
  • Examining heating systems for proper ventilation and more.

  The inspector also looks at any possible safety hazards that might exist in the house. An inspector checks the following parts of a home in detail.

  • Exterior and Grounds
  • Roof
  • Main Electrical panel
  • Main Gas and water
  • Pool/Spa (if present)
  • Garage
  • Laundry
  • Water Heater
  • Heater/AC
  • Attic
  • Interior
  • Bedrooms
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchen

  What We Aim To Find Out During An Inspection?

  During the inspection process, we try to find out any major functional defects and check the major systems. We’llWe’ll also make sure that the appliances are operating under normal conditions. The inspection process includes checking for mold and moisture, checking the wire, and testing electrical outlets. We’llWe’ll also use a thermal imaging camera to ensure there are no cold areas in your home that may indicate potential plumbing or HVAC issues.

  After an inspection is scheduled, we’ll be reaching out to you in the next few days to set up a time to inspect your property. We will need to inspect a few things, including any major material defects, such as holes in the wall, damages or cracks with the fireplaces or foundation, sagging ceiling materials, and signs of moisture intrusion. If you have any questions about what is included in a home inspection, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

  Our inspectors will check if there are any health and safety concerns in your home, such as missing smoke detectors, trip hazards, microbial growth or mold, or loose stair railings. If you have any questions about the service being provided to you, please don’t hesitate and ask questions. 

  How Long Does It Take to Conduct A Home Inspection?

  So You are curious how long a Pennsylvania home inspection process would take. Inspections can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours depending on the size of the structure or the age of the structure being inspected, The more defects there are to document, and the more detailed your final report is, the longer it will take.

  The cost of a home inspection varies depending on where you live. The national average for an inspection is $327 for a basic 2,000-square-foot home.

  Choosing The Right Home Inspector

  Choosing a home inspector can be daunting, but with the right guidance, it is not difficult. Home inspectors are not licensed in Pennsylvania, but they must be members of an association of home inspectors. It is important to research the home inspector’s credentials before hiring them. The best way to find a good home inspector is to ask around. You can also ask your realtor or insurance agent.

  Choosing the right home inspector in Pennsylvania is not an easy task. There are many different agencies in Pennsylvania that offer home inspections, and they all have their own set of rules and regulations. 

  It is also important to find out how much experience they have. You should also ask for referrals from people who have used their services in the past and read reviews online to see what others think about their work. Finally, you should always get a sample report from them before hiring them for your inspection so that you know what to expect when it comes time for the inspection itself.

   Who Needs a Home Inspection Anyway?

  A home inspection is a vital part of the home buying process. It can help you avoid costly repairs and save you from making a disastrous investment. A home inspection is not just for new homes. Even if you’ve lived in your current home for years, it’s worth having one done before you put it on the market or make any major changes to it. It’s also important to have an inspection done before buying a new piece of property, even if it’s brand-new construction.

  A home inspection is an important step in the process of buying your first home, and it is something that you should never skip. If you do, it could mean losing money in the long run, making a bad investment, or even having major faults appear later on that you were unaware of before. A home inspection can help safeguard your investment and give you peace of mind by assessing the property for any potential problems before they become issues down the road.

• Home Owner Maintenance Tip Gutters

  In homes with basements and crawl spaces, we always need to be concerned with water flow from the roof. An overflowing gutter will dump water next to the foundation and create a water leak into the crawl space or basement. In homes with concrete slabs, water next to the foundation can cause movement and cracking, which are bad things for a slab.

  So, don’t let the gutters overflow. Trees can drop needles, seeds and leaves that can make a real mess in the gutters. Establish a routine for cleaning gutters that addresses the needs in your yard.

  Also make sure downspout extensions dump water away from the foundation. They should extend at least 3 feet and preferably 6 feet to an area where the water will naturally drain away from your home.

  One of the best inspection techniques is to observe your home during a hard rain. Gutters should not overflow, and all surface water should be directed away from your home. Water pooled next to a foundation is almost always the cause of a water leak into a basement and can result in structural damage to walls and slabs. Maintenance is eay and simple – make it a priority.

• Quick tip to efficiently and cost effectively enjoy your home.

  So you’ve got an unsightly stain on the driveway. Maybe it came from an old clunker parked there by family or friends. It could be a drip from your latest barbeque or a remnant from the windy day when the garbage can tipped over and left a greasy smudge. In any case, you want oil stain gone.

  For a concrete or asphalt driveway, the fix is pretty simple. Purchase some Mex All-Purpose Cleaner or TSP substitute at the local hardware store. These powdered detergents are very strong and do an excellent job of removing oil stains.

  Following label directions, mix a strong solution with very hot water. Wearing gloves and eye protection, scrub the spot with a hot detergent solution and a stiff brush. Scrub and soak, scrub and soak several times. Then scrub the area around the stain to blend into the surrounding surface. Rinse well with a strong blast from the garden hose.

  Stubborn stains may require a second treatment. Eventually sunlight and weather will even out the color of the pavement. If you end up with a light spot where you were scrubbing, you may need to scrub the entire drive to even out the color.

• Home Owner Maintenance Tip Electrical Outlets

  Electrical outlets can be very dangerous resulting in fire or electrical shock.

  To test your electrical outlets, you’ll need a three-prong electrical outlet tester. These look like three-prong plugs with three little lights. These can be found at most any hardware store for only $10 or $15. Go room by room through the entire house, checking as many electrical outlets as possible. Ideally, you want to check every outlet.

  Before touching any outlet, look to make sure that it is not physically damaged. Replace any outlet that is cracked or broken. With the rest of the outlets, take your electrical tester and plug it in.

  The most common fault is a condition called reversed polarity. Reversed polarity means that the black wire and the white wire are reversed where they are connected to the outlet. Appliances plugged into an outlet with reversed polarity will still work, but there is a much greater risk of electrocution.

• Why Do I need a Home Inspection ???

  Many people buying new homes have a false sense of security when it comes to the complete and proper construction of that home.  It has been my experience after many years of inspecting both new and resale properties that most people only obtain an inspection on a resale or used home.

  The thinking is this; the home was designed by someone (architect), the town, city, or county reviewed the plans, a licensed contractor built it, and the Municipal Building Official inspected it so why would I need to get it inspected?  Well, here is the problem; many parts of the country do not require plans or plan reviews.  Many more parts of the country do not require contractors to be licensed.  Lastly, many areas, especially rural areas, do not have any type of Building Inspection at all!