Home inspections should be carried out from time to time as there is a great possibility of unknown threats that could prove to be quite harmful for you and your family. Mostly thorough home inspection is carried out by a professional home inspector when a person wants to purchase a property. But with regular home inspection, it is easy to identify the problematic areas which might need immediate attention. A home inspector normally starts inspecting the home from top to the bottom that means from the attic to the basement.
Attics are hard to reach places of your home and a professional home inspector knows why it is necessary to inspect the attic and roof of your home. It is normally overlooked by most homeowners. The entire history of the home can be understood by inspecting the attic. It is a place where there may be numerous problems prevailing, unknown to the homeowner himself.
Rafter damage: During the attic inspection the home inspector checks for any kind of damage in the rafter. Rafter is the main beam that forms internal framework of the roof. Though the roof might look strong and safe, but while inspecting on the inside the inspector might find broken rafters. This could be a serious issue as the stress cracks can lead to lose roofing which can prove to be fatal later.
Damage caused by fire in the past: The home inspector checks the color is the rafters, if the color does not resemble natural wood color; probably the house was on fire. The rafters and roof looks sooty and scorched. If the rafters or roof is painted white, it implies that it has been painted to eliminate the burnt smell.
Attic Insulation: Blowing in insulation or placing fiber glass batts are the two way to insulate the attic. A higher R-factor indicates higher insulation. The home inspector also checks if the batts are properly placed, paper-up or paper-down. If the attic is insulated properly, your electric heating and cooling expenses are reduced during winters and summers respectively.
Water leaks in attic: Water rarely gets into the home from the sides; it is normally from top to bottom. If the home inspector notices any kind of stains on the wooden framework or along the panels, or perhaps on the walls, it is a clear indication that the roof is leaking at some place. Wood can rot if the water condenses around the pipes. Moreover, he also checks for rusting on the metal furnace walls if the furnace is installed in the attic space.
Chimney inspection: Well, a home inspector will definitely not be able to inspect the chimney from the inside, but can check for the strength of the structure inside the attic. The part of chimney that is on the inside can wear out with time, especially if the home is old. Inspectors will see for any cracks and mortar condition.
Damage in attic due to squirrel, rodent, raccoon or tiny pests: The home inspectors check for any poop pellets left behind by squirrels, raccoons or rodents. They also check for infestations or colonies formed by pests in the attic. Such a sight is normally a warning signal of significant damage that these creatures might have caused in the attic.
Identifying a quality home inspector in Albany is paramount to ensure you are staying proactive and on top of your home’s maintenance needs. Call Bald Eagle Inspection Services if you are in need of home inspection services or mold assessment services.