Save Money with a Home Inspection
Most home inspections save money on the inspection in improvements made by the seller before closing. Last week, I inspected a house with a bathroom on the second floor. In that bathroom was a fan over the shower. The cover was removed from the fan. There were wires exposed there. There were also interesting spots on the ceiling, sort of red drop stains.
After getting home and reviewing the pictures and info I had taken while there, I realized that there was no vent on the exterior of the house for the fan. In other words, the fan didn’t blow the moist bathroom air outside. Well, if it didn’t go outside, where did the vent go? Since there was no attic access in this house, I couldn’t prove it, but in all likelihood, the vent went into the attic.
Now, when moist air goes into the attic, it usually condenses. Because it is colder up there than it is in the bathroom, the result is drops of water forming on the surfaces of the attic. The moisture freezes as it condenses. You get are little icicles forming on the nailheads.
Also, frozen moisture shows up on the wood. As you can imagine, all this moisture will cause damage to almost everything including the nails, the wood, the roofing materials, the insulation, etc. In addition, you often get mold forming in these areas which creates unhealthy air that can make its way back into the home.
Those red spots on the ceiling of that bathroom in the first picture? I am pretty sure those are the condensed drops of water on the ceiling surface. They are red because this house had a high iron content in the water. When the water eventually evaporated, it left red spots.
Installing the proper fan and vent over the bathroom shower would have likely fixed these problems. See how a little mistake made by the builder and unnoticed by everyone except the home inspector can make for a big problem? Also noted is the improper wiring of the fan. This was recommended to be fixed as well. Have a home inspection done before you buy to save money, time, and trouble.
Customer Reviews
We just wanted to thank you for the comprehensive inspection report. Eric was very nice, extremely professional and thorough, and explained everything he found so we could understand exactly what we were dealing with and what needed to be done, if anything. Please thank him again for us for his great work and attention to detail!
From our initial phone call to delivery of the final inspection reports, Perkins Home Services was a complete delight. Professional, prompt, thorough, and accommodating. We even learned a thing or two from the general home inspector, in addition to the required information. We're satisfied and smarter!
Scott and John who inspected our septic system have completed their work at our home in Deer Isle, Maine. We wish to complement their professionalism, courtesy and willingness to respond to our questions. They were very informative. You sent a very good team and we appreciate it. Thanks for your help too in explaining the process and arranging our appointment.
I just wanted to say thank you and how incredibly happy we were with everyone. Scott & John were beyond friendly and answered any and all questions we had! We hope to recommend you to anyone that is looking for the same service in the future.
Just wanted to say I was pleased with your Septic Check on the Blackwood Rd, Property. But saddened that I was hoping to buy it without incident. Nice to be forewarned of future problems. Thank you. I would recommend you to others.
It has been a pleasure dealing with all at Perkins. Very professional and knowledgeable. Little wonder that you are highly recommended by every realtor that we have met.
This is a very professional, thorough company. Their excellent work takes much of the worry out of buying a new home.
Scott came and inspected a home today I am interested in buying and he was great! I just wanted to say thank you for being so flexible and available. Scott was great about explaining everything to me in depth and answering all my questions. Thank you again!
Many thanks to you and the Perkins team for the great work on inspecting the home I plan to purchase. Your workers (both those who answer the phone and send out reports and those who do the hands-on inspecting of house, water, and septic) are all wonderful- friendly, knowledgeable, efficient- and you came so quickly when I needed you! I especially liked it that I could observe the inspections and ask questions. I learned a lot about the place I will soon call home!