I use a high tech infrared camera as part of the Home Structural Inspection. Infrared scanning allows me to see into the walls, ceilings and floors to find:

• Roof leaks
• Plumbing leaks
• Electrical shorts, and 
• Value the insulated quality of the home.

I also issue a typewritten Structural Home Inspection Report on site at the time of the inspection.

It is good to be back in touch with you, sending you information about what we do in our home inspections, and sharing some practical advice every week or so.

If there is anything you would like to hear about, please shoot me an email or post a comment on our Facebook page.

The average family of four releases over 2 1/2 gallons of water per day into the air of the home.

 

Damp basements, plumbing leaks, pets and plants all compound the moisture-generation problem.

 

In fact, every time we exhale, we add moisture to the air.

 

If you have wet windows in winter, it may be because you have excess humidity in your home that can lead to rotten sills. We suggest that you get an inexpensive hydrometer to check your the humidity in your home. If it is over 25-50%, you may want to take the following steps to start limiting moisture sources:

1. Cure damp basement or crawl space problems. Cover any bare crawl space soil with a moisture barrier.
2. Furnaces with built-in humidifiers: turn off the humidifier along with the water supply - it may be putting too much moisture in the air.  
3. Vent the clothes dryer to the exterior, and don't air dry clothing indoors.
4. Limit the use of portable room humidifiers.
5. Limit plants, aquariums and pets.
6. Never use unvented fossil fuel-burning devices like kerosene heaters indoors. This creates carbon dioxide and water vapor, introducing excessive moisture into your home.
7. Ventilation into the attic should be checked, along bathroom and kitchen cooking vents to the exterior.
8. Old windows and storms should caulked properly, and maybe upgraded to thermal windows.

Home inspection by a Professional Home Inspector will help to identify these issues and offer suggestions for repair.  

Inspecting wiring and structural integrity is an important part of every home inspection.

I would appreciate your referral to clients, friends, and business associates for home structural inspections.