Homewerx Home Inspection in Mesa, AZ

Category: Building a New Home

  • Can I Inspect the House Myself?

    The short answer to this question is "it depends".  If you are the purchaser of the home, yes you can inspect the house yourself.  But why would you want to?  I compare it to the do-it-yourself root canal.  It is possible, but not recommended.  On the other hand, if you have a friend or relative who is "handy" and you want them to "look" at the house, it may be illegal.  Home inspections are regulated in the State of Arizona and anyone who performs one is required to be licensed. 

    A qualified licensed home inspector has been properly trained and has shown proficiency in the practice of home inspections.  They have the tools and experience to spot problems that the casual handyman will most likely miss.  Besides, the fee for an inspection is minimal when compared to the cost of a home, and one minor repair will usually cost more than a home inspection.  It is better to have an unbiased professional help you evaluate your potential purchase.  You will then be better able to make an informed decision and avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

  • Are Home Inspectors Licensed?

    As of 1 January 2003, Home Inspectors must be “certified” by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration in order to perform home inspections in Arizona.  Additionally, Certified Home Inspectors are required to maintain either Errors & Omissions insurance, a bond or other adequate financial assurance.  (ARS 32-122.02)

    Please be assured that all Home Inspectors employed by Homewerx Home Inspection are in compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes regarding registration and certification of Home Inspectors.  Additionally, the insurance coverage our company maintains exceeds the new minimum requirements.  You may verify Home Inspector compliance or obtain more information by contacting the Arizona Board of Technical Registration at (602) 364-4930 or by visiting their website at http://www.btr.state.az.us.

  • Why Do I Need a Home Inspection?

    There are many reasons one might need a home inspection:

    Call today!

    (480) 503-2611
    or 1-888-THE-WERX

    or Schedule Online!

    Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

  • What is a Home Inspection?

    A home inspection is a visual assessment of the readily accessible components of the house.  The items that are inspected will vary from state to state and inspector to inspector.  In states with licensing requirements, such as Arizona, the regulating authority will set the minimum standards (what must be inspected and reported on).  In non-regulated states, most good inspectors will join an industry organization and follow their standards. 

    The most well known industry organizations are the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).  However, there are several other smaller ones like the Housing Inspection Foundation (HIF).  The Standards of Practice, whether created by an industry organization, the State or both, are the minimum guidelines for home inspectors.  The AZ Standards of Practice covers most of the major components of the house, and it describes what the inspector must inspect and what the inspector is not required to inspect.  If you have a specific concern about a system or component in the home you are having inspected, ask the inspector before the inspection if it is covered and to what extent.  Do not assume that something will be covered in the inspection, especially if you have concerns about it.

    Termite inspections and wood destroying insect inspections are not usually included in a home inspection.  While many home inspectors are also qualified to inspect for termites, it is usually a separate inspection and additional fee.  Some home inspection companies claim to include a termite inspection for "FREE" with each home inspection, but rest assured that nothing in life is "FREE".  Those companies usually charge about $50-$75 more for a home inspection, so the termite inspection is not really "FREE", it’s just already included in their higher than average home inspection price.

    Environmental issues such as mold, radon, lead-based paint and water quality are all outside the scope of a standard home inspection.  Sometimes these items can be evaluated by the home inspector, but they are not part of the home inspection.  Separate tests are required and additional fees will usually apply.

    As I said earlier, a home inspection is a visual assessment.  Systems will not be dismantled and no destructive testing will be performed.  Items that are concealed behind finishes, furnishings and below the ground are not considered readily accessible.  If significant deficiencies are present, further investigation by a specialist or contractor may be necessary.  A home inspection is NOT a warranty or guarantee of any type.

    If you have any questions about what is and is not covered per the state requirements, please visit the Arizona Board of Technical Registration.  Since Homewerx Home Inspections exceeds the state’s minimum standards, please give us a call or comment on this post if you have any questions about what is included in your inspection.  We’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have!

    (480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX

    Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

  • Mitigating High Radon Levels

    Picture of a radon mitigation system including the fan and vent pipesPicture of the venting pipes used in a radon mitigation system There are many methods that can be employed to reduce radon levels should your home test above the EPA’s action level of 4 piccocurries per liter of air (pCi/L).  Those methods can include crawl space ventilation, vapor barriers and sub-slab depressurization systems to name a few.  The method used (and the costs involved) will be determined by the radon level and the type of construction of the house.  Please remember that all houses are different and the approach used to reduce radon levels should be determined by the specific conditions of the house.

    The most common type of construction we see in the Phoenix area is slab on grade foundations.  However, some of the older homes and manufactured homes in the valley have crawl spaces.  Some slab on grade houses have the return air ducts for the HVAC system located beneath the slab floor and can be an entry point for radon.  A house with below slab return ducts will most likely require a different approach to radon mitigation then a house without these ducts.  High vacuum pressures can be generated in below slab ducts that can result in radon laden soil gasses being drawn in and circulated throughout the home by the heating and cooling system.  For more information on mitigating radon in houses with below slab ducts visit the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency.

    However, for most slab on grade homes, a soil depressurization system will be used.  This type of system consists of 4 inch piping and a ventilation fan (see pictures above).  The pipe penetrates the concrete floor and is exposed to the soil beneath the house.  A depressurization fan installed in the vent pipe creates a vacuum and draws the radon into the venting system.  This pipe is then routed above the roof line where radon gasses can be safely vented.  This type of system can be contained inside the wall structures of the house or installed on the exterior of the house.

    As with any mitigation system, it is recommended that a qualified contractor be consulted and radon testing be conducted before and after the installation of any product to insure that radon levels have been reduced.

    If you are in need of a radon test, give us a call at:

    (480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX

    Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

  • Brand New House Has Gas Furnace Problem

    Improperly Installed Gas Furnace in a Brand New Home.

    Why should you get a home inspection even if your house is brand new?   I recently performed an inspection on a new home in South Phoenix.  When it was time to inspect and test the two gas furnaces, I made my way into the scudle hatch, traversed gingerly across the attic floor and positioned myself strategically in front of the two air handlers.  (Don’t try this yourself – call a professional home inspector!)  Visually checking the furnaces’ components, drain lines and ductwork, everything appeared to be in good order.  However, one small detail was overlooked.  The gas line was never hooked up to the bottom floor furnace, leaving the unit inoperable.

        

    But this is a brand new home!  Didn’t someone test the units after installing them?  The tenants were heating their 2200 square foot, two story home with the smaller, second floor heater.  The thermostat was set to 78 degrees upstairs.  It was pleasant on the first floor but the second floor felt like July.  Needless to say that the tenants gas bill will likely decrease once both furnaces are operating properly.

          

    Moral of the story;  just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s perfect…call your friendly Homewerx Home Inspector today!

  • Builder Warranty Lacks Customer Service

    First of all, I would like to apologize up front for this blogopotamus.  But I believe that information is power and can help reduce the amount of wasted time and frustration on the part of new homeowners, especially when dealing with warranty issues. 

    Not all builders are created equal and that is also true when it comes to their warranty departments.  In fact, I can almost predict the types of issues that my Clients will face when it comes to dealing with the builders’ Warranty Representatives.  It appears to me that many builders have perfected the art of the run around.  Let me walk you through a typical scenario (one that I hear repeatedly from my Clients).

    It starts even before closing.  Usually the final walk-through is where you’ll first meet your Warranty Representative. However, in many cases he’s nowhere to be found and the Superintendent performs the final walk-through in his place.  Although the Superintendent is probably more qualified to do the walk-through than the warranty guy (because he knows the house better than anyone else), he will most likely be gone (on a different project or even a different company) when the warranty is about to expire and repairs are to be performed.

    During the final walk-through, you will walk through the house, make notes and put blue tape (sometimes green) on cosmetic dings and scuffs that you want to have repaired before closing.  The Warranty Rep or Superintendent will go over warranty paperwork, such as repair work request forms and contact information. In the few days after the walk-through but before you get the keys, the builder is supposed to have a work crew finish all of the items on the punch list.  Many times, I find that the work crews will remove the tape without actually making any repairs or they will just leave the tape and act like they can’t see it.

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  • Sewer Capacity Approaches Overload in Phoenix

    In recent months, it has come to my attention that several areas in the Phoenix sewer system are near or exceeding capacity.  I found this out by accident while conducting a video sewer line inspection on a property I was interested in purchasing.  During the inspection, it was apparent that waste water was backing up into the sewer tap.  Not a pretty picture I can assure you.

    Upon making this discovery, I contacted the City of Phoenix Water Services Department.  It turns out that the city is aware of this issue and is currently spending in excess of $60 million over 3 years to increase the sewer capacity in these areas.  For more information on these projects and the areas affected, visit Phoenix.gov.

    If you live in one of these areas or are thinking of buying, building or renovating in one of these areas, I recommend that you find out all you can about this issue.  The city has restricted building permits to help prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSO), an issue that has had increasing regulations from state and federal agencies.

    If you suspect that you have a problem with your sewer line, a video inspection is the easiest way to detect back ups, clogs, roots and collapses.  Although your sewer line is out of sight, repairs can be quite expensive.

    If you need a video inspection of your sewer, call us today!

    (480) 503-2611

    Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

  • EPA Says 1 in 15 U.S. Homes has Radon Problem

    Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It is created naturally by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.  Radon typically gets trapped inside your home by moving up through the ground to the air above, then into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.  Radon can also get into the home through well water.  Once inside your home, it becomes part of the air you breathe or the water you drink.  Depending on ventilation and other conditions inside your home, the radon concentration may pose a serious health risk to your family. Radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless so the only way to know your home’s radon level is to test for it.

    Most people feel safe when they are at home and don’t worry about getting radiation exposure from their house.  But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, home is where you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure because it’s where you spend most of your time.  In fact, the EPA estimates that radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.  This makes radon the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today, second only to smoking.  And if you smoke plus have high radon levels in your home, your risk of lung cancer is extra high.

    The EPA says one out of every fifteen U.S. homes has an elevated level of radon (4 pCi/L or more).  Furthermore, radon can be a problem in any home – new house or old, well-sealed or drafty, basement or no basement and regardless of the home’s geographical location.  It’s not possible to predict radon levels based on state or local radon measurements, nor can you rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood.

    If your home’s radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, the EPA recommends that steps be taken to reduce the radon level.  Radon mitigation contractors may use a variety of techniques to reduce your radon level.  Sealing cracks and other penetrations in the foundation may be part of the solution, but sealing cracks alone is not enough.  A system of vent pipes and fans may be installed in the crawl space or another location in your home, creating a "sub-slab depressurization system".  This system draws the radon gas through the vent pipes, preventing it from entering the home from below the concrete floor or outside the foundation.  Radon mitigation contractors may also use other methods depending on the design of your home and other factors.  While it sounds complicated and intrusive, these systems generally do not require major changes to your home, and repairs can usually be accomplished for around $800-$2500.  Even in homes where the radon level is less than 4 pCi/L, radon may still pose a risk and in many cases, can be reduced.

    While radon cannot be eliminated, the radon level in your home can be minimized.  Testing for radon is the first step.  The EPA recommends a radon test for anybody that is buying, selling or building a home.  The EPA also recommends testing your home after any major renovations, or if you change your living patterns (i.e. you begin occupying a basement level that was previously not used much).  You should also re-test your home after having radon mitigation features installed to be sure that radon levels have been reduced.

    A Radon Test costs:

    • $200 by itself, or
    • $150 if done in conjunction with a home inspection or other service.

    For more information or to schedule a radon test for your home, CALL HOMEWERX HOME INSPECTIONS TODAY!

    (480) 503-2611
    or Toll Free 1-888-THE-WERX

    or you can schedule online!

    ….because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

  • Warranty Inspection Makes Good Sense

    DON’T PAY FOR YOUR BUILDER’S MISTAKES!!

    All homes have flaws and hidden defects, even brand new homes. The cracks in the walls and sticking doors may just be the tip of the iceberg. Some defects can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair, as well as put your family’s health and safety at risk.  That’s why it’s important to have someone on your side like Homewerx Home Inspections.

    A warranty inspection by Homewerx Home Inspections will help you find the hidden problems that exist in your new home BEFORE your warranty expires. From roofs that are improperly installed and in some cases, not even finished, to broken trusses and missing insulation, we regularly find major builder errors that slipped by the busy city inspectors. Our inspection can easily pay for itself by saving you future out-of-pocket repairs.

    In addition to revealing problems caused by sub-standard materials and workmanship, we will also document the problems you already know about, making the ‘builder warranty process’ less of a headache.  Our easy-to-read, yet comprehensive typewritten report has color digital photos, a summary of necessary repairs you can give to your builder, and home maintenance tips to help keep your home in top shape.  Let us catch the problems now to save you time, frustration and money in the future.

    HURRY…CALL BEFORE YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRES!

    (480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX

    …or you can schedule online!

    REMEMBER…if our Inspector finds one flaw covered under your warranty that you were unaware of, this inspection can easily pay for itself!!

    Protect Your Investment…call for an appointment TODAY!