Wisconsin Home Inspection Services- Mold Inspection

Mold and mildew exist in many environments on the planet. Typically we think of mold growing on old food. We simply throw it away and think little of it.

Mold and mildew are types of fungi. In the realm of home inspections many people consider mold and mildew to be near the bottom on the list of important problems. But in the last decade or so studies have revealed that an increasing number of people are being affected medically by mold and mildew spores in the air they breathe. Not only that, mold and mildew are a serious threat to your home’s health.

A home inspector will be present in areas often conducive to mold growth; spaces such as damp basements and crawlspaces, around plumbing and foundations, in bathrooms. Mold and mildew grow in environments where there are ample amounts of moisture, even inside walls where there is inadequate ventilation. Moisture can exist in and around a home for a number of reasons: humidity and leaks being the most prominent.

A professional home inspector’s report will disclose potential incidences of mold and mildew. These are indication of moisture that can not only harm the structure of your home, but also affect you and your family’s overall health. The inspector will recommend testing by a qualified mold specialist in these cases.

Wisconsin Home Inspection Services- Asbestos Inspection

While the word asbestos has become synonymous with health hazards, there are many materials that contain it. Just because asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM) exist within a structure, does not mean they are an immediate health hazard.

Asbestos becomes a health hazard when the material containing the fiber is disturbed—launching particulate asbestos fibers into the air you breathe. The reasons outdated ACM are removed from many structures is the danger of deterioration that also results in asbestos becoming airborne.

Asbestos is no longer used in new construction. If your home inspector suspects that asbestos containing materials may be present in your home, he might recommend a specialist conduct an in-depth asbestos inspection.

Vermiculite, a material used for insulation and gardening products, can contain harmful asbestos. In recent years more and more information has become available on vermiculite.

Wisconsin Home Inspection Services- Lead Inspection

There are a number of different ways in which lead can be introduced to your home and family. Lead can be present in outdated paint materials which chip and peel. Lead can also be present in your family’s drinking water. Typically lead does not exist in the actual water source—municipal or well—but leaches from the walls of lead plumbing pipes. During a general home inspection an inspector might observe what appears to be the existence of lead pipes or lead-based paint. In such cases he might recommend further testing by a qualified specialist.

Like asbestos, lead paint becomes a health hazard once the material containing it is disturbed. For this reason many home inspectors will advise you against removing old paint yourself until you test it for lead. The EPA states that most homes and residential structures built after 1978 are lead-free. For home buyers looking at homes older than 1978, there are legal disclosures you are qualified to receive regarding any existence of lead-based paint in the home.

Lead ingestion can affect your child’s health over time. For this reason agencies like the EPA and HUD make educational materials on lead poisoning readily available.

Wisconsin Home Inspection Services- Radon Testing

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive material that is found in many areas of the country. Home buyers looking to buy a home are often advised to invest in a radon inspection test. It’s relatively inexpensive, but it is a separate test from the general home inspection.

The radioactivity of radon is related to thousands of lung cancer cases annually. Think you can detect radon yourself? It is odorless, tasteless and colorless. Only a professional trained in radon testing can tell you if radon is present in a home.

What if radon is found in your home? There are radon reduction systems that are proven to effectively eliminate nearly all indications of the hazard. Also, many of the newest homes are now being built with radon-resistant features.

There are many facts about radon you should know before you buy a home.

House Detective Property Inspection Services is certified by the American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT), licensed by the State of Wisconsin, fully insured including Errors & Omissions insurance (E&O), and a member of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI). House Detective Property Inspection Services serves the greater Milwaukee area, including Brookfield, Grafton, Mequon, Cedarburg, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, New Berlin, Franklin, Waterford and all of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Request a Home Inspection Quote from the House Detective right now or to schedule a home inspection CALL 262.673.3092 or 262.782.2692 or toll free at 888.737.0817

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