Safety Is Priceless: The Importance of a Home Inspection

Natick MA

01 June, 2021

12:20 PM

Description

Health and Safety Are Priceless: The Importance of a Home Inspection By Jason Sobol How would you feel if you moved into the home of your dreams--only to find out that dangerous vermiculite insulation was lurking under fiberglass? In addition to the $20,000+ you might need to remove this form of asbestos, what potential health risks might you face? Or what if you bought a historic home and then discovered active knob and tube wiring behind a new electrical panel? Yes; the fix would be a huge expense—but that would pale in comparison to fire damage. These are two of many potentially serious consequences of waiving home inspections in this competitive market. As a father and a grandfather, I totally understand the need to “break the rules” to land a home—any home—in the best neighborhoods for your family. But given today’s extraordinary prices, it’s important to share some words of caution about forgoing inspections, and winding up with more worries than you ever anticipated. This risk increases if you are looking at older homes. Even those that appear to be meticulously maintained can throw off warning signs to the trained inspector’s eye. The previous owners may have renovated on their own, with different levels of expertise and attention to safety codes. That’s why home inspectors are more like forensics experts. They scrutinize over 300 items in nine general “buckets”—roofing, exterior, structural components, electrical, plumbing, heating, central air conditioning, interior, and insulation/ventilation. Some of the biggest warning signs they look for include: Water damage—Whether from an ice dam or leaky bathroom plumbing, costs could be endless, including a whole basement that needs refinishing, or replacement of doors, walls and floors. Some damage will be invisible; many harbingers of future damage can be detected and quickly fixed.Crumbling or cracked foundations—If a section needs to be lifted to clean and repair rotting materials, the costs could be in the tens of thousands of dollars.Lead paint—Older homes that have been in the same family for decades should be carefully checked so that babies and young children are not exposed to excessive levels.Natural gas—Gas is a good heating choice. However, a leak in a pipe, exhaust from a furnace, boiler or water heater, or a blocked chimney could lead to deadly combustion.Asbestos—There is still some asbestos around pipes in older homes; it should be removed to eliminate the possibility of airborne fibers should the material be disturbed.Knob and tube wiring—This could be a reason to walk away from a home, depending on replacement costs. Window leaks and saggy floors could be other signs of a “money pit.” There are other attributes a seasoned inspector will notice that a layperson may not. For instance, I recently deduced that a home had at one time been modular—and potentially moved to Massachusetts from another state. Because building codes vary across the country, I cautioned the potential owners about electrical upgrades that could inadvertently start a fire. Individuals with an Inspectors License take responsibilities like these very seriously, and complete the rigorous training they need to cover every detail. They have a minimum of 100 supervised inspections under their belt, as well as 25 as a participant/observer, and 75 hours of classroom study. They have also passed a National Inspectors Exam, and complete ongoing professional education. Homebuyers are likely making the biggest purchasing decisions of their lives—affecting every member of their immediate family. With that larger picture in mind, it’s important to put safety as well as happiness first, and perhaps rethink whether a home inspection is for you. Jason Sobol is a Massachusetts licensed and ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) certified inspector and the owner of Pheasant Hill Home Inspections. Contact him at [email protected] or 508-934-6535.