Category: Home Inspection

Home Inspectors

Both tests are reported in a clear and concise format. Turnaround time on these two test packages may take 10-15 business days to complete once the water sample is received at the laboratory. In order to meet the time constraints presented in home transactions, has also developed a series of seven products with a 2-3 day turnaround time. The Quick Seven Series include all the potability items typically requested for a home transaction. Test results are emailed within 2-3 business days of sample receipt at the laboratory. This quick series is extremely helpful for Home Inspectors who are providing a full home inspection for the potential buyer. This quick series not only provides you with a quick glance at the homes water quality, but additionally can offer you insight as to the operability of existing treatment systems within the residence.

When health departments require testing, they usually have a specific list of parameters that should be included in the analysis. When results are to go to the health department, we recommend compliance testing. Compliance testing is quoted on a case by case basis due to differing requirements. If compliance testing is required, please provide a list of the contaminants required and the state in which the work is to be completed. We will review the necessary certification and issue an official quote within two business days which will include pricing, turn-around-time and any other information pertinent to performing the analysis.

Quality Service

Not only do we offer you the highest quality testing packages and analysis, we also offer you excellent customer service. Our technical representatives hold degrees in Biology, Environmental Geology, General Sciences and Business. The technical service representatives review current regulations and stay in contact with regulators in order to offer informed recommendations to customers concerning their testing needs.

After consulting with one of our representatives, customers are shipped test kits that come with simple instructions to make sample collection and shipment back to our laboratories as easy as possible. Once the sample reaches our laboratory, the highly skilled and trained laboratory technicians are responsible for the processing and analysis of the sample. The laboratory staff and technical representatives are in constant communication so customers are notified immediately of problems or concerns as samples are processed.

Once the results have been sent to the client, please be assured our service does not stop there. Representatives are always available to answer questions regarding the results or to assist in additional testing that may need to be performed

Water Quality Testing

The water you drink may LOOK clean, but do you know what’s in it?

Your water might originate from a clean source, but in some cases that water has to travel through many miles of pipes before reaching your home. Some of these pipes may be very old, corroded and leaky. Ground water can enter these pipes adding any number of contaminants

In certain circumstances, the lead from that solder can get into your water supply. If you are on a municipal water supply, take a look at your last water bill. In several communities the following warning is printed on the water bill

Which Water Test is Right for You?

Is your water source within 10 miles of any of the following: Dry cleaning business, metal processing companies, mining operations, industries, farming or landfills? Is your water source within 1 mile of any of the following? Gas stations, cemeteries more than 100 years old, salt water shoreline, highway salt storage.

Inorganics: Lead, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, alkalinity, chloride, chlorine, color, conductivity, hardness, nitrate, odor, pH, sediment, total dissolved solids, sulfate, turbidity, lead, arsenic, ammonia, nitrate.

A powerful test for surface water and well sources. This comprehensive check tests for 60 volatile organic compounds including, MTBE as well as all the items in the standard scan.

Request a Water Quality Test Before Buying Your Next Home

Being an educated homeowner is more important than ever, especially when it comes to what we eat and drink.  Exercise, healthy eating, and health education are hot topics in advertising, business, and the news. Headlines about polluted or toxic water invading our water supplies have many Americans questioning the true quality and safety of the water they drink and use every day.  This has sparked an increased demand in public and private water quality testing in and around Hanover PA.

“Free” vs. professional water testing

There are some companies, like water delivery or purification businesses,  who offer “free” water testing in order to get you to use their services; however, that is NOT the same as having a home water inspection by a professional.  It is recommended that you hire a home inspector who offers a wide variety of water quality tests and knows which one best suits your situation.

What kinds of water supplies should be tested?

Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or out in the country, both city and well water should be tested.  Your specific area has its own risk level, and, if you have well water, you have different risk level depending upon bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants.

Is water testing necessary in order to buy or sell a home?

If you have a privately-owned well or are buying a home with a private well, the EPA has no jurisdiction over your water supply.  Therefore, it becomes the owner’s responsibility to assure their water is safe to drink and use.  Some lenders such as the FHA and VA require water testing in order to secure financing of a new home.

What kinds of water tests do the FHA and VA require?

The FHA Series typically requires total coliform, ecoli, nitrate, nitrite, and lead tests. The VA Series typically requires total coliform, pH, total dissolved solids, hardness, nitrate, nitrite, and iron tests.  Before ordering a water quality test, check with your lender to ensure all the right water tests are performed.  Some lenders deviate from the aforementioned lists.

WATER QUALITY TESTING

Home water testing is important for existing homeowners as well as those considering purchasing a home. We use it daily to wash and cook with and the water we drink nourishes and sustains us

Why should I have my water tested?

If you are already a homeowner, it’s important to know the water you are drinking is safe for your family. If you are buying or selling a house it could be an important to part of the inspection process to test the water. Specifically, a mortgage associated with the purchase may have requirements to show acceptable drinking water.

Most common types of tests and what they test for:

Basic Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Nitrate and Nitrite.

Standard Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Nitrate, Nitrite, Arsenic, Lead, Sodium and Hardness.

Comprehensive Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Chloride, Nitrate, Nitrite, Fluoride, Sulfate, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Calcium, Copper, Chromium, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Thallium, Zinc, Alkalinity, Conductivity, Hardness, pH, Total Dissolved Solids and Turbidity.

City Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Fluoride, Copper, Lead.

EPA Well Water Test – Total Coliform, Nitrate, pH, Total Dissolved Solids.

FHA/VA Loan Well Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Lead.

Which water test do I need?

Ultimately this depends on your specific situation and why you need to test the water. If you are on a public water system you may want a City Water Test. Whereas, if you have a private well the EPA recommends testing for total coliform bacteria and nitrates every year.

What do I do if I find something that shouldn’t be in my water?

You may be able to resolve the situation on your own with a trip to the local hardware store or need the assistance of a professional water specialist if you need something more comprehensive installed.

Water Testing

Clean water is essential, and often something we take for granted. Water is one of the most overlooked items when purchasing a new home, however, could be one of the most important. All homes with wells should be tested for bacteria in the water, your mortgage may even require it. Beyond bacteria, consider testing for heavy metals and other contaminates.

Many believe there is no need to test water on a public system, however recent events have proven otherwise. Just because the water source is clean, if your home was built before 1980 there could be lead solder used in your plumbing and the supply line connecting the home to the public system. Consider testing your water for lead as a part of your home inspection.

can test for a number of items, please let us know what items are needed. Package prices below.

Basic  $125

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria

FHA Water Test $225

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria, Iron, Lead, pH, Turbidity, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Nitrate/Nitrite

Standard Scan $275

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria, Turbidity, Chlorine, Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, Chloride, Iron, Manganese, pH, Odor, Sulfate, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Hardness, Conductivity, Ammonia, and Sediment

Comprehensive Scan $350

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria, Turbidity, Chlorine, Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, Chloride, Iron, Manganese, pH, Odor, Sulfate, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Hardness, Conductivity, Ammonia, Sediment, Radon, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Having clean water is important, having enough of if it is also important. A well flow test will confirm that you have an ample supply of water on demand, and that your plumbing components can handle continued use at a consistent rate. We will measure the water, typically at three gallons a minute and confirm this is constant over the course of an hour.

If at the end of the test the well is not producing at the same rate we began this indicates an issue with the amount of water available or the capability of the well components. Knowing the depth of your well won’t tell you either of these things. We recommend a well flow test on every home purchased with a well

The Importance and Purpose of Mold Remediation

Mold remediation is the expulsion just as cleanup of mold present in indoor situations. It is imperative to handle your mold issue head on before it begins to make harm your home and wellbeing. Many structure materials can support the development of mold. It is fundamentally brought about by the nearness of dampness or water inside and develops on natural materials. Natural materials comprise of things that were once living. Most mold development is found on wood floors or wooden studs. It can likewise be energized by an absence of drying of structure materials like cement. Broken rooftops, flooding, issues associated with pipes, and building support can bring about the development of mold inside.

The main activity to take care of Mold Restoration issues inside is to stop the wellspring of the dampness inside your home or office, trailed by mold expulsion. The point of remediation is to clean or totally expel every single debased material so that it successfully checks the arrival of parasites just as organisms polluted residue from spreading into unaffected regions.

A few different

ways to ruin mold development are cooling, improved protection, and additionally dry mist. Current innovation permits mold remediation organizations to pack a live with a sort of dry haze that eradicates mold and forestalls its development. This mist contains a synthetic which is affirmed by the EPA and not the slightest bit harms or damages the strength of creatures or people. The thought is to assault the mold which is hurtful to individuals and their pets, whatever it takes as long as it doesn’t fuel the circumstance.

In the event that you are managing mold in a little surface, you can likely clean the mold yourself. It is, notwithstanding, imperative to ensure that you wear defensive apparatus including gloves and a respirator, and utilize the correct cleaning items. For most hard surfaces, a multi-reason cleaner or normal cleanser can work successfully. The utilization of dye isn’t prescribed and you should ensure that you dry the surface completely in the wake of cleaning. Expel and discard any permeable material that is influenced by mold.

In the event that the mold has influenced a huge territory, you have to get trained professional mold service provider to manage the circumstance. Search for a trained professional who will give mold testing and expulsion. A legitimate remediation expert can offer you pertinent guidance on the best evacuation system. The expert will contain the mold issue, expel and discard it and reestablish the surface back to its pre-mold condition. This implies you can get everything from supplanting harmed structures to utilizing a mold inhibitor to seal the region. You can get inspection services after the cleanup is finished; to ensure that the mold is altogether gone.

At the point when a mold issue has been distinguished, it is critical to ensure that it is unraveled right away. Inspection and prompt remediation will tackle the issue to your greatest advantage. Taking care of the issue and guaranteeing that it doesn’t re-happen are significant for the home inhabitants. Mold control starts with dampness control and it is basic to forestall hazard to individuals and property.

Health Concerns

The mold spores released from a household infestation can cause serious illnesses among family members. Mold spores tend to ignite allergic reactions in those with sensitivities to mold. For everyone else, short and longterm mold exposure often causes symptoms similar to that of the common cold or flu. You may notice sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, skin rashes, a sore throat, and even the occasional respiratory disease.

Hidden Mold

When it comes to mold in the home, most homeowners are keen to save some money and tackle the growth themselves. However, they are often ill-equipped to handle the situation. They may even end up spreading the mold further by disturbing the spores.

Let a professional team of mold remediation experts tackle the job. Not only will they eliminate the obvious mold problem for good, but they will also assess your home for signs of hidden mold growth that you might not have noticed. Often, mold will hide in the ductwork, in the air handling unit, underneath wallpaper, and even in the crawlspace or basement.

Prevention Methods

When the mold infestation is not handled properly or in a timely manner, the chance of regrowth is always a possibility. Spores hide in the furniture or air ducts, where they eventually spread into other rooms or behind the walls.

Professional mold remediation, in its final stages, also includes prevention techniques. Once all mold is removed, experts will address any underlying causes of the mold (moisture, humidity, and ventilation concerns). These can all be tackled to prevent mold from regrowing in the house.

As soon as you spot mold in your home or business, you should call a professional. Mold experts from Restoration 1 are trained and equipped to tackle all types of mold. There are many unique types of fungus, and only a knowledgable expert can accurately assess each one.

Causes of Mold

Many building materials can sustain the growth of mold. It is mainly caused by the presence of moisture or water indoors and grows on organic materials. Organic materials consists of things that were once living. Most mold growth is found on wood floors or wooded studs. It can also be encouraged by a lack of drying of building materials like concrete. Leaky roofs, flooding, problems connected with plumbing, and building maintenance can result in the growth of mold indoors.

The first thing to do to solve mold problems indoors is to stop the source of the moisture within your home or office, followed by mold removal. Solutions for small instances of mold are the following:

• Ventilation
• Sunlight
• Wall Insulation
• Dehumidifiers
• Non-porous building materials
• Household Cleansers

If the mold growth is significantly high, it might be necessary to choose a professional mold remediation company to eliminate mold from every building material which has been compromised. The aim of remediation is to clean or entirely remove all contaminated materials in such a way that is effectively checks the release of fungi-contaminated dust from spreading into unaffected areas.

Molds can be found almost anywhere;

They can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on.

Many types of molds exist. All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants. Potential health concerns are an important reason to prevent mold growth and to remediate/clean up any existing indoor mold growth.

Home Inspections – Their Purpose and Proces

What is the purpose of a Home Inspection?

Many people misunderstand the purpose of a home inspection. The main purpose of a home inspection is to give you the information needed to make an informed decision on the purchase.  

Most home inspectors focus on the major defects that will cost the buyer a lot of money above the purchase price to repair. Cosmetic items are rarely reported. By bringing these major defects to the buyers attention, the buyer can choose to negotiate with the seller with the intent on getting the major components repaired or a reduction in the selling price. This is acceptable and reasonable for the buyer. 

However, I have seen buyers hand the report to the seller and demand that all the items listed in the report be fixed or they will walk away from the deal.   Another buyer asked me to really pick the house apart because they wanted me to make the house appear as bad as possible so they could cheat the seller into greatly reducing their asking price.  If this is your intent for an inspection, please call our office and cancel the inspection you have scheduled with us. Be sure to tell us why.  Even though I work for my client’s best interest, this practice in unfair to the seller and is unethical  for any inspector to agree to do.  Our company will not take part of any situation that is questionable, dishonest or unethical.

If the seller can not afford to have the repairs corrected, you can still choose to buy the house with the full knowledge of what repairs are needed and the cost of the repairs will be your responsibility. Or, you may decide the cost of repairs is too much, then you can walk away from the deal and still get your earnest money back provided your contract has a “sale contingent on inspection” clause.

Home Inspection Process Explained

• A typical home inspection takes two to three hours, and during this time the house is examined from the ground up and from the outside in.
• A good home inspection should include observation, and when appropriate the operation, of the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and appliance systems, as well as observation of structural components: roof, foundation, basement, exterior and interior walls, chimney, doors, and windows.
• Findings should be provided in the form of a comprehensive inspection report, which includes an objective evaluation of the condition the home clearly outlining any existing defects and potential problems.

Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is particularly important when purchasing a home.

Buying a house is likely one of the largest purchases a person will ever make but few buyers are experienced in building construction, and overlooking a serious issue could result in a costly problem down the road. As a result many buyers choose to have a property inspection conducted prior to closing the sale. The inspection can identify any issues so the buyer can discuss these with the seller during negotiations.

At Pillar To Post we encourage our clients to accompany us during the home inspection. This gives buyers a chance to ask questions, and to get detailed information about maintaining the home and its systems. For homeowners this allows them an opportunity to answer any questions the inspector may have. In either case, accompanying an inspector can help a client get the most from a home inspection.

Strata inspection

A unit inspection involves a different set of criteria than a house inspection. Aside from the physical condition of that unit, the inspector will also examine the strata agreement as well as certain aspects of the building in which the unit exists. Some of the details that will be looked at in a strata inspection include:

• Exterior of the unit
• Interior of the unit space
• Whether the strata scheme is in compliance with asbestos & fire rules
• Insurance for the building
• Other special levies
• Entitlements and voting rights
• Building reports
• Major expenditures & proposed major expenditures
• Quarterly strata fees
• Whether or not the structure is harmonious

A strata inspection will also look at all the copies of the minutes from meetings such as the owners’ corporation AGM’s etc. A strata inspection report is important because the apartment unit you’re purchasing doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s subject to all the rules & regulations governing the property in which it exists.

While a house inspection report and a strata inspection report examine different details, both of these are crucial for a property buyer. The few hundred dollars that you spend on getting these inspections done can provide you peace of mind and save you a significant amount of money in the long term.

Home inspection checklist: the components

Here’s what the inspector will review, according to the American Society of Home Inspectors’ (ASHI):

1. Heating system
2. Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
3. Interior plumbing and electrical systems
4. Roof
5. Attic, including visible insulation
6. Walls
7. Ceilings
8. Floors
9. Windows and doors
10. Foundation
11. Basement
12. Structural components

Clearly, the inspector isn’t going to tear your home apart to inspect piping and wiring. But the more she has access to, the better the final report will be.