Is Asbestos testing included in the home inspection?
Asbestos is a man-made material which was used in building materials until it was determined to be hazardous to your health. The use of asbestos in building materials was banned in 1978. If your house is built after 1978, you typically should not have an asbestos concern. If your house is built before 1978, there could be asbestos.
We typically find asbestos on heating pipes, boiler pipes, in exterior siding, and in interior floor tiling. We will be looking for visual signs. A home inspection is a visual inspection only, so we can only see what is visually accessible. If we see something that looks like asbestos we will call it out to you and write it in the report as “an asbestos-like substance”.
Laboratory testing is required in order to determine if a material contains asbestos. In the event that we call out asbestos and you would like it tested, we may be able to help. We offer laboratory testing at $195 per sample. Note that we cannot take a sample if it is evasive in any way unless the seller provides permission.
Due to the limitations of a visual inspection and the laboratory testing that is required, we specifically indicate that Asbestos is Not included in this inspection.
Is Lead paint testing included in the home inspection?
The use of lead in paint was determined to be hazardous to your health and was banned in 1978. If your house is built after 1978, you typically should not have a lead concern. If your house is built before 1978, there could be lead in the paint.
We cannot determine by looking at a painted surface if it contains lead paint. The only way to determine if there is lead in the paint is through laboratory testing. Because of this limitation we specially indicate that Lead is Not included in this inspection.
We offer laboratory testing in the form of “sampling” at $195 per sample. Specifically, we will only take samples of chipping and/or peeling paint if requested.
Is Mold testing included in the home inspection?
Mold is a natural substance. The hazard of this substance varies by the amount and type of mold present. As part of the inspection, we will be looking for issues that can contribute to the formation of mold and overgrowth.
We typically find issues with mold in attics, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. In attics, mold issues usually occur due to poor ventilation. In basements, typical mold issues occur due to water penetration and humidity. In kitchens and bathrooms, water and humidity issues are usually the cause of mold growth.
A home inspection is a visual inspection only, so we can only see what is visually accessible. If we see something that looks like mold, we will call it out to you and write it in the report as “a mold-like substance”. We cannot call out mold if it is not openly visually available and we do not offer air sampling.
Laboratory testing is required in order to determine if the substance is in fact mold and the type of mold. In the event that we call out mold, we are prepared to take a sample if you request. We offer laboratory testing at $195 per sample.
Due to these limitations we specially indicate that Mold is Not included in this inspection.