Foundations...
The foundation is the single most important
component of any home or structure. Different types of foundations are
prone to different problems, but all foundations have the same major
function, to supports the entire structure and all its contents. All
visible and accessible portions of the foundation are carefully inspected for
any defects, cracks, settling and overall condition. Our knowledgeable
inspectors are trained extensively in construction techniques & foundation
installations. Acquiring this extra information gives DISCOVERY Inspectors an advantage in correctly evaluating the foundation for
your structure. Slab foundations are difficult to evaluate because the
entire foundation surfaces may be
covered and not visible (unless inspected during the construction process.)
Defects, often elusive to an untrained or inexperienced inspector can
effect the entire structure. Our DISCOVERY Inspector's "instincts"
will prove to be most valuable during the foundation inspection
process. Another, commonly overlooked
and/or incorrectly evaluated problem (however, very important
to a
DISCOVERY Inspection) would be the final lot grading. This is
important because improper lot grading is directly related to proper
foundation maintenance and possible future foundation failures.
Every DISCOVERY inspection report will include valuable information about your foundation & proper
future maintenance information. This information
alone could save you from future foundation problems -
SAVING YOU
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS...
Structure...
 The structure of
the home is what gives it shape and strength. The most commonly
asked questions of a professional home inspector are related to
evaluating the condition of the structure. The main components of
the framing system consists of the roof structure, load &
non-load bearing walls, ceiling & floor joists and beams. Each of
these components are critical in providing the residents with a safe
structure & the building with long lasting stability. Minor defects
within the structure can be hard to evaluate. Problems could
develop into extensive, often expensive repairs.
Exterior...
 The
exterior of the building includes; siding, trim, gutters &
downspouts, windows, roof, garage, stoops, decks, patios, grounds
and related items. Each of these items will be inspected not only for its
condition, but how it relates to the dwelling. Defects in exterior
components such as the siding, doors or windows can greatly affect other
structural components of the home. The exterior of the building is designed to
protect the interior components from the effects of mother nature as
well as unwanted pest infestations.
Windows...
 The
inspector will look at the age, quality, installation and overall
condition of the windows. Sometimes older windows, even though in
excellent condition, should be replaced just to improve the
insulation quality of the home. One of the most dramatic effects on
heating and cooling expenses is to replace old or poor quality
windows. The windows need to be installed well and maintained to
prevent leaks around the exterior and for good operation. If large
windows are poorly installed they will be difficult to operate in
the future and the thermo pane seal may fail. Skylights and fixed
wall light type windows are inspected carefully for leaks and
quality. Skylights installed after a roof has been installed almost
always leak! These leaks can cause tremendous damage to the
surrounding building materials and go undetected for years.
Interior...
 The
interior of the home includes all the various rooms and related
items. Some items may overlap such as bathrooms and plumbing, living
rooms and electrical, and so on. The professional inspector will go
through each and every room including all visible and accessible
areas of your home. The majority of the home's most important parts
are between the floors, ceilings and walls, and they are not visible
for inspection. This is why it is so important to inspect the
condition of these areas for indications of larger potential
problems in the dwelling. Your inspector will go through each room
making notes of relevant defects. Although most cosmetic items, such
as worn paint, old carpeting & torn wallpaper are not important, they often
indicate a general lack of maintenance in the home.
Bathrooms...
 The
bathrooms of the home can be one of the most expensive areas to
replace or refurbish. With simple maintenance, such as caulking and
grouting of tub and shower areas, expensive repairs can be avoided.
Many future homeowners badly underestimate the cost of bathroom
replacement because of the underlying defects, which require
repairs. A well maintained, but outdated bathroom can often be
updated at a reasonable cost by replacing wallpaper, shower doors,
sink vanity and other minor items. An item as small as a dripping
valve inside a wall left un-repaired can be the difference between a
$500 upgrade and a $5,000 remodel job. The experienced
inspector is always very
suspicious of recent cosmetic work performed in the bathroom area.
Kitchens...
 The kitchen
is often considered the heart and soul of your home. This is where
the majority of families spends most of their time when indoors and
not sleeping. Poor quality or worn cabinets and counters tops may
require expensive upgrading or repairs. A complete kitchen
replacement is very expensive. It is not uncommon to spend more than
$10,000 on a new kitchen. Recent cosmetic repairs will be looked at
carefully to determine the quality of work and whether or not they
were done to mask a more serious problem. The inspector will look
for water damage around the sink, cabinet & appliance areas, as well
as inspect for safety hazards.
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