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Shilo Military – RCMP Home Inspector

A professional home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its systems. This makes the buyer aware of what costs, repairs and maintenance the home may require immediately, and over time. If a buyer isn’t comfortable with the findings of the home inspection, it usually presents one last opportunity to back out of the offer to buy.

Military-Relocation-Home-Inspector

Brookfield Approved Home Inspector

Your Shilo Home Inspector is an Approved Third Party Service Provider for Brookfield GRS.  As a Military or RCMP member your home inspection cost will be billed directly to Brookfield with no extra cost to you.  Membership in the TPSP Directory is free and open to all accredited Appraisers, Realtors, Lawyers, Home Inspectors and Rental Search Assistance Providers.

What is a Home Inspection ?

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training andPassing Your Home Inspection certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

Actually there is no “Pass or Fail” when it comes to a home inspection.  Your Home Inspector will advise you of any deficiencies that have been found and explain the suspected cause and what will typically be required to repair or replace the item.  As the buyer you will have then determine if you want to proceed with the home purchase,  have the seller repair the defect or renegotiate the homes price based on the findings.  Your home inspector will provide you information based on their expertise but the decision ultimately is up to the buyers discreation.

What to Expect from Home Inspection ?

The home inspector will do a visual inspection by looking at the home’s various systems, including interior and exterior components. The inspector will check exterior components including any attached structures to the home.  We have listed most of the common items covered by a Home Inspection.  This list is not technically exhaustive and is provided as a general guideline:

  • Structural elements: Construction of visible foundation, evidence of sagging or bowing of the structure, floors and floor framing, walls, ceilings, stairs, drainage systems and window alignment.military-home-inspector
  • Safety: Operating fire and carbon monoxide alarms, fire sprinklers, condition of stairs, hand and guardrails, and garage door openers.
  • Grounds: Proper drainage, and condition of the house’s asphalt or paver stone driveways, fences and sidewalks.
  • Roof: Condition of shingles, any repairs/patches to flat roofs, clear vents, damage to chimneys, and properly working gutters.
  • Exterior surfaces: Correct clearance between ground and exterior siding material, condition of exterior paint or siding and properly working lights and electrical outlets.
  • Attic: Type of insulation, amount of insulation, proper ventilation, and any sign of leaking or water damage
  • Interior plumbing: Damaged or leaking pipes, proper hot water temperature, as well as functioning toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers.
  • Electrical system: Condition and type of visible wiring, and proper function of circuit breakers, outlets, light fixtures and fans.
  • Appliances: Serial numbers of stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, washer and dryer and all other appliances.
  • Heating and cooling systems: Condition of furnace, air conditioning (temperature permitting), water heater, chimney and fireplace.
  • Basement: Solid foundation, walls, and floors, with no signs of water intrusion or damage. ( Note any visible cracks or repairs )
  • Garage: Inspect foundation, windows, ceiling, framing, roof condition, electrical system and proper functioning outlets.
  • Insulation and ventilation: Insulation in unfinished attic and foundation areas, kitchen, bath, Heat Recovery Ventilation, laundry venting systems and the presence of ventilation fans.

Items Not Covered by Home Inspection ?

There are many Items in a Home that are not generally covered by a Home Inspection.  Generally a Home Inspector’s Standards of Practice will dictate what items are or are not included in a home inspection.  Some items will require a specialty inspection which will incur an extra fee.

  • Pest control ( animals and insects are excluded by most Standard Operating Procedures ),Air Quality Testing - Mould
  • Swimming pools,
  • Asbestos  ( cannot be identified visually samples have to go to Certified Laboratory ),
  • Radon gas,  ( due to length of time for test a Home Dept test kit is recommended )
  • Venting equipment with household appliances,
  • Indoor air quality,  ( Air Quality Test typically starts around $300.00 )
  • Lead paint, which was common in homes prior to 1978, and
  • Toxic mold. ( Certified Mould Tester is required to properly identify mould )

WETT Certified Inspection ?

Today most professional home inspector’s are WETT Certified to inspect Fireplaces, Woodstoves, Fireplace Inserts, and Pellet Stoves.  The majority of Insurance Companies now require a WETT Certified Inspection prior to insuring a home.  Providing the WETT Certified Inspection at the same time as the Home Inspection will often save you quite a bit of money.  ( typically a $100.00 discount is common )

What is a WETT Inspection ?

A WETT inspection, which stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer, includes a thorough inspection of all wood burning appliances such as stoves and open fireplaces, by a certified WETT inspector.  A WETT specialty inspection is an inspection that must be conducted by an inspector who is WETT certified. A general home inspector must take a course to become WETT certified. The course typically consists of 4 days of training as well as 80 weeks of field experience before they receive certification. 

What is Inspected ?

  • Check the firebox for cracked firebricks or lining material. Replace any cracked firebricks to keep the firebox in good shape and prevent overheating which can warp steel components and turn the unit into scrap.
  • Check the operation of the damper. Quite often dampers are seized or broken which can lead to unsafe or poor operating conditions.
  • For masonry chimneys, replace any deteriorated or spalling masonry and caulk flashings as needed.
  • Ensure rain caps are present to prevent water leakage inside chimneys and their liners.
  • Clean the unit so a proper inspection can be performed.
  • Check the firebox for cracked firebricks, replace any cracked firebricks to keep the firebox in good shape and prevent overheating which can warp steel, crack welds and turn your woodstove into a pile of scrap metal.
  • Ensure flue pipes are properly secured with three screws per pipe connection or equivalent pipe clamps installed as per mfg. specs. Ensure the pipe fittings are oriented correctly and the pipe is also sloped correctly.
  • Check the damper operation, door gasket for deterioration and the door glass for cracking.
  • Ensure any heat shielding is secured and in good condition.
  • Keep wood storage and combustible materials at least 4 feet away from the wood stove in all directions at ALL times.