Latest News from Home Inspection Services Group
Why am I posting a picture of appliances?
This is why⬇️⬇️
Every professional Home Inspector must follow the Standards Of Practice of the association that he or she is a member of. These Standards of Practice set the minimum Inspection requirements and even though they differ from association to association, none of them include Inspection of appliances.
It is up to every individual Inspector to choose to go over and above the minimum standards.
Why do I test Appliances?. Not to see how well they wash, dry, cool, freeze or cook but to make sure that there are no electrical, plumbing or other issues. Too many times I have found appliances not connected, leaking, causing electrical issues etc.
Too many times there is a dishwasher pushed under the counter with no plumbing or electrical connection or a gas stove without a gas line.
The first question people ask when they call is "How much do you charge?"
When hiring a Home Inspector for yourself or if you are a Realtor, for your clients, that should be the last question you ask.
Ask these questions:
1. Are you certified? YES
2. Are you insured? YES
3. Are you a full time Inspector? YES
4. What other qualifications do you have? INFRARED CERTIFIED, WETT CERTIFIED, MOLD CERTIFIED, INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED
5. How many Inspections did you do last year? OVER 400
6. How long have you been doing this? 7 YEARS
7. How long does a typical Inspection take? 2.5 HRS (DEPENDING ON SIZE OF HOUSE)
8. Do you offer Thermal Imaging? YES
9. Do you have any added value services? 90 DAY WARRANTY PACKAGE
All these questions matter because they tell you who you are dealing with. Remember, NOT ALL INSPECTORS ARE EQUAL!!!
My answers are in BLOCK LETTERS.
There are inspectors advertising on Kijiji for $199 flat fee. Asked them all these questions and see what the answers are.
Then go on my website www.inspectionservicesgroup.com, and see what my clients have to say about me.
#homeinspectors, #homeinspections, #certifiedmasterinspector, #realestate, #realtor, #realestateagent, #realtorlife, #realestatebroker, #homebuyers
"Why is there mold growing on the window?"
Fact: Mold spores are found everywhere and remain dormant until the right conditions are present.
Fact: Mold needs food and moisture to grow. Dust on Windows is 'food'. Condensation on Windows or high levels of indoor humidity give it all the moisture it needs. Mold thrives where there is lack of ventilation. Window blinds restrict ventilation.
"What do I do to solve this issue?"
Immediate measures include , cleaning the mold from the window by using spray solutions available in the market, keeping humidity levels down, keeping the blinds open to allow for ventilation.
Long term measures include managing humidity levels, cleaning the dust off the windows often and changing the furnace filter every three months. HEPA systems are also great, but have a considerable cost.
If you have a mold issue in the home, we can help with an independent evaluation, mold testing and Indoor Air Quality Tests. #mold, #moldtesting, #indoorairquality, #homeinspections, #homeinspectors, #certifiedmasterinspector.
Did you know that the fire code requires fireplaces to be inspected and cleaned every year?
These homeowners have been using their fireplace with a cracked flue tile. When the fireplace is on, the temperature in the flue is a few hundred degrees. A cracked flue is dangerous.
I get this quite a bit. This is the wrong terminology which is used by a lot of realtors, insurance companies and home owners.
The fireplace is NOT "WETT Certified".
It was inspected by a WETT Certified inspector.
Fireplace inserts and stoves are Certified in laboratories where they undergo extensive tests. What the WETT certified Inspector does, is to ensure that it was installed according to manufacturer specifications and that it abides with the requirements of the National Standard CSA B-365.
Thermal Imaging is not only for detecting moisture.
This is a second floor wall of an old renovated house in Toronto. Looks like they left one of the heating ducts blowing air in the wall cavity.
#thermalimaging , #homeinspection , #renovationfails
Are central humidifiers good to have?
If used appropriately and cleaned and maintained properly, absolutely yes.
If not, then they are a breeding ground for mold, just like this one.
Maintenance and cleaning of all HVAC equipment is a MUST.
Are you fed up with your current job situation?
Do you want a change?
Have you considered a career as a professional Home Inspector?
The Home Inspection Services Group is the premier independent Inspection company in the GTA. We specialize in Residential inspections, Mould inspections, Indoor air quality tests and Wood Burning Appliance (WETT) Inspections.
We are looking for Professional Inspectors to join us in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. You can be ready to start working in just 3 months.
✔ Previous experience in construction or inspections is preferred.
✔ Succesful applicants must take the inspector course and become certified.
✔ We offer a very attractive package, including:
◾ Unilimited FREE on-site technical training
◾ Ongoing technical and general support
◾ FREE marketing material
◾ FREE uniforms.
For more information Contact Us Today at panos@inspectionservicesgroup.com or send a direct message to our FB page Home Inspection Services Group .
Isn't it time to find a career you love?
Pot lights in the attic!. There is the cheap and easy way and then there is the right way of installing them
Most electricians and contrarctors, don't understand the concept of Heat Loss and say that as long as the pot lights are IC rated , they are fine.
That is absolutely wrong. You make a hole on the ceiling under the attic, you have heat loss. The vapor barrier needs to be sealed and insulation installed around it.
If an air tight sealed pot light is not installed then a vapor barrier dome is needed over it.
Did you know that electrical panels are required to have 3 ft clearance in front of it for service?
A kicthen cabinet installation in front of the panel is not allowed, but something that we see very often.
An old furnace is a potential safety hazard and sometimes can be a matter of life or death.
This furnace is a 1988 installation. At 30 years , it is time to get a new furnace, whether this one still works or not.
October was a busy month for Pre-Listing Inspections.
No matter what the age, type, size or area the home is in, a Pre-Listing Inspection is a good tool to use in the selling process.
Avoid last minute re-negotiations or buyers walking away from a purchase deal.
Homes built before the 60's may have 2 wire ungrounded electrical circuits, something which was standard at the time.
This home was updated with GFCI breakers at the panel and the ungrounded outlets labelled as such. The GFCI breakers will protect the home owners from any ground faults.
Many home buyers don't know what a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is and why or when it should be used.
In this case since they don't know and don't use it, they built a wall right in front of it. The HRV cannot be opened for cleaning or service.
Before finishing your basement, have an HVAC technician take a look and tell you what can and what can't be done.
The original IPEX Kitec plumbing. Quite a bit of the original blue and orange pipes in the Hamilton area.
Clients always ask what to expect. A question that cannot be easily answered, as not all of these plumbing systems have failed. This house is 15 years old and there was no evidence of corrosion or leaks.
These buyers where already aware of the presence of Kitec and did their homework. Their insurance company doesn't charge a premium for Kitec plumbing, something that surprised me, as I thought that insurance companies don't particularly like Kitec.
Tenants disabled all smoke alarms in the home or landlord doesn't care to replace them.
I wonder who will be to blame in the case of a fire. After someone dies it's too late to change a $50 smoke alarm or put a battery in it.
**Are you a Home Inspector wondering how to get business or a Home Inspector in Training?
**Are you in construction or trade and want a better life for yourself and your family?
We are looking for Home Inspectors to join us and serve Toronto and the GTA.
What we offer?
� Unlimited Onsite technical training
� Ongoing Technical Support
� Marketing training to attract new business
� Business Management training
� Uniforms and Marketing Material
Email resume and application at panos@inspectionservicesgroup.com
Not my photo but sure is funny!!
By the way did you check all your smoke detectors and CO alarms? They have to be replaced every 8-10 years whether wired or battery operated.
Missing, or outdated or wrongly installed smoke alarms and CO detectors is the most common note on my Inspection reports.
How to attach an insulated duct on a roof vent in the attic?
Tape alone will not work as the heat and cold in the attic will eventually dry up the tape and it will get disconnected.
Add 3 small screws and then tape the duct and it will never come off.
This is something that I see quite often. The dryer is vented inside the garage because the home owner changed it's location in the laundry room.
This is not allowed for two reasons:
1. The dryer produces moisture and heat and that is going inside the garage which is not exterior space.
2. Most importantly, there is potential of fumes from the car's exhaust to enter the home. This is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Don't put convenience over safety!
