• The inspection will start on the roof and will focus on the roofing surface and flashing, proper ventilation and the condition of the gutters and downspouts. A visual inspection of the chimney, both the interior and exterior, will also be performed.
• The exterior of the house, which includes windows, doors, siding, and proper drainage near the house, will then be checked.
• A thorough inspection of the attic will look for proper ventilation, presence of insulation and an evaluation of the roof structure.
• A room by room inspection will check for the operation of windows and doors, correct wiring at outlets, the presence of GFCI outlets where needed, any known or potential leaks in kitchens and bathroms, and the operation and condition of appliances.
• Heating and air conditioning systems will also be tested for  proper operation, location of any filters and for correct settings and age. This will include gas or electric forced hot air furnaces, hot water and steam boilers and electric baseboard heat. 
• The water heater will be checked for age, temperature setting and any premature signs of rusting.
• A thorough search  the basement and crawl space will look for signs of any leaks in the foundation walls, as well as the condition of the walls.
• The electrical system panel will also be examined. It will be checked for any incorrect wiring, presence of aluminum branch wiring, recalled Federal Pacific electric panels, overloading of circuit breakers, the condition and size of the electrical service coming into the house and proper grounding and bonding.
• An inspection of the plumbing system will reveal the condition and type of water supply and distribution pipes and the location of the main shut off valve. Any visible drain lines will be checked for proper fittings and leaks. Water lines can include copper, CPVC plastic, galvanized and polybutylene. Polybutylene has been recalled because the presence of chlorine in municipal water systems breaks down the pipes and its fittings. A class action lawsuit with the manufacturers has been settled. For more information on the lawsuit and what it covers, go to www.pbpipe.com.  

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Roof certifications
A roof certification is an inspection of the entire roof system.  However it is not a guarantee against leaks. Flaws in the application process may be hidden from the inspector's view, and leaks may only be visible from the attic during a rain storm. 

Roof certifications focus on the following:

• type of roofing product
• estimated age
• presence and proper installation of drip edge
• flashing in place and correctly used
• proper ventilation
• presence of leaks

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Short term and long term radon testing 

• What is radon?  Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that occurs naturally through the breakdown of uranium in rock, soil, and water. It can enter your home through cracks, gaps and other holes in the foundation.
• What are the risks?  The Surgeon General has warned that radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., second only to smoking. If you smoke and have high radon levels in your home, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
• How do I test?  The test is conducted using the E-Perm "electret radon monitor", invented by Rad-Elec Inc. in Frederick, MD, and usually placed in the lowest living level of the home.
  • The short term test takes a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 90 days. Results are available in a matter of hours.
  • The long term test lasts more than 90 days and gives a more accurate reading of your home's year-round average.
• Why test?  Radon testing is common for real estate transactions and for buyer and owner peace of mind. It also will reduce the risk of lung cancer by identifing the problem and removing the radon from the home by a trianed specialist.
• How is the problem fixed?  If test results are high, only a contractor who is specifically trained in radon mitigation should be consulted. They will usually install a series of pipes and a fans called a "sub- slab depressurization system" to remove any radon gas below the concrete floor in the basement or crawl space. The problem can usually be fixed for between $500 to $2,500, depending on the complexity of the home. If your home is on a well, you should also have your water tested.

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Mold testing
20/20 conducts a thorough inspection to detect the presence of possibly unhealthy types and levels of mold in the home.

Mold in the home has received a lot of attention lately from the media, lawyers, insurance companies and realtors. It exists nearly everywhere in our society, both inside and outside our homes and businesses. Yeasts used in the baking process and penicillin as a medicine, are just two types of mold. Molds also help decompose all dead matter, from grass and tree limbs, to animals on the side of the road. Mold fits into two categories- allergenic and toxic. When mold grows indoor in an uncontrolled environment and we come in contact with it, either through inhalation or contact with the skin, the toxins and mycotoxins that are produced can have serious, adverse health effects.  These effects can include nail and eye infections and fungus, rashes, flu-like symptoms, nose bleeds, asthma and possibly death.   
 
Mold needs three things to grow:

• A source of moisture: this can come from several places in the home. A leaky roof or pipe, uncontrolled humidity, inadequate ventilation, faulty heating and air conditioning systems or possibly flooding like we saw after Tropical Storm Isabel.
• Favorable temperatures: are usually above 50 degrees and higher.
• Organic based food: this can include the paper facing on drywall, wood paneling, carpeting and other porous materials such as furniture, ceiling tiles and any wood framing members.

Mold affects people in different ways. The very old, very young, chemotherapy patients, burn victims, and any immuno-suppressed individuals are susceptible to health problems. Symptoms may include heightened sensitivity to allergies, microscopic organisms growing in and on the body, even death.

Mold can be tested in several different ways. The least complicated, yet one of the most effective method involves tape sampling. Cotton swab sampling is another method employed. Another method is air sampling, where indoor and outdoor air is tested using a pump and special cassettes or filters to trap air born mold spores. The two different air samples are then compared at a lab for elevated levels of air born molds. Still another test is dust sampling, where dust from carpeting is vacuumed in through a filter and examined. All tests are then sent to an EMLAP accredited laboratory where results will be analyzed and sent back in a report form.

If test results are positive for harmful mold presence, the next step is to find the source of moisture. Once the source has been eliminated, remediation can begin. This may as simple as removing wet carpeting and wiping clean all non- porous surfaces. Or it can be as complicated as removing wet drywall and insulation and installing "negative air scrubbers". A solution may then be sprayed on some surfaces to kill the mold growths. All surfaces must be dry before recovering.  Only companies specializing and certified in mold remediation should be consulted, because they adhere to strict standards by the federal government.

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EIFS, synthetic stucco or Dryvit inspection

If your home has an outside finish that looks like this example, you may have EIFS siding -- also known as synthetic stucco or Dryvit -- and you should have it inspected. 20/20 Home Inspections specializes in EIFS inspections and we have a page on the site dedicated to this topic. Click here to go to our EIFS Tutorial page.

In addition we can provide information regarding the Dryvit Class Action Settlement, which will pay up to 50% of the repair costs for correcting problems with qualifying Dryvit installations.  Contact us for more information!

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