Property Inspections, Radon & Mold Testing Information
Re-sale Inspections:
Whether the house you’re buying is large or small, 1 year old or 100, we will help you understand its condition and how the systems operate. A through visual evaluation of the major systems in the house including electrical, foundation, heating/cooling, crawlspaces, basements, attics, roofs, plumbing, grounds, structure, exterior and the interior. Let us be your tour guide for a detailed and informative home inspection as we examine the home inside and out - top to bottom. Every inspection exceeds the Standards of Practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
 Pre-Listing Home Inspections:
Sellers should consider a pre-listing inspection. Identifying and resolving potential issues before listing your home can expedite the selling process and save you thousands of dollars in negotiated allowances or repairs. Our impressive bound 30-40 page digital photo report can be displayed for your buyers to see, a great sales tool inspiring confidence in the condition of the house.
 New Construction Home Inspection:
Think there couldn't’t be anything wrong with a brand new house because it passed a municipal inspection? Think that a builders “quality control” person is going to catch all the mistakes? Think again!New construction must meet current mandatory building code. Building code is a minimum standard and compliance alone does not assure your home is well built. Our inspections review building code compliance, safety issues, maintenance issues, and manufacturer’s product installation requirements. Smart home buyers have Trow Inspection Service look over the property before they sign on the dotted line.
Phased New Construction Home Inspections: 
If you have the opportunity to monitor the construction process from the beginning, then a series of phased inspections is recommended. Foundation, pre-drywall framing and final inspections will give you peace of mind, knowing you have built a quality home. Foundation inspections review foundation walls, soil conditions, footings, steel reinforcing and drainage systems. A pre-drywall inspection is particularly recommended as this is the only time to inspect framing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical systems and structural load transfer before being hidden with drywall. A final inspection will evaluate the completed house and test all systems with the utilities on.
Warranty Inspections:
What? You didn't get your brand new home inspected before you moved in? If you have a warranty it may not be too late to have the builder correct items that were not constructed properly. A one year warranty inspection will reveal construction defects most homeowners would not find on their own. You should schedule your warranty inspection at least a month before the warranty expires.
 Commercial Inspections:
Our intent is to better apprise you of the general condition of the property and to provide information to you which will be helpful in your pre-purchase considerations as relates to the physical condition of the property. A commercial inspection is a limited, visual survey of components of the property. The report will identify items and conditions which indicate the need for immediate repair. Additionally,it is our purpose to provide approximate cost information for conditions pointed out in our report.
Depending on the complexity of the property, we will coordinate specialists, which could include commercial roofers, structural engineers, elevator specialists, etc. to evaluate the various components. We compile this information and present it in our report. This proven team approach is cost effective and will get you the information you need.
Commercial inspections follow the standards set forth by ASTM Designation E2018-01
Mold Testing: 
There is wide variability in how different people are affected by indoor mold. However, the long term presence of indoor mold growth may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. The following types of people may be affected more severely and sooner than others:
- Infants and children
- Elderly people
- Individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as allergies and asthma
- Persons having weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV infection, chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients)
Those with special health concerns should consult a medical professional if they feel their health is affected by indoor mold. Are some molds more hazardous than others?
Some types of mold can produce chemical compounds (called mycotoxins) although they do not always do so. Molds that are able to produce toxins are common. In some circumstances, the toxins produced by indoor mold may cause health problems. However, all indoor mold growth is potentially harmful and should be removed promptly, no matter what types of mold is present or whether it can produce toxins.
The first step is identifying if you have a mold problem. We can perform a mold survey and then take air and swab samples which will be analyzed by a local lab. These results are presented in a detailed report which will identify the type of mold, its toxicity, and quantity in the home. We do not do mold remediating and are totally objective in our mold testing.
Radon Testing: 
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you breathe, causing a potential health risk to you and your family.
Radon gas can be found in just about anywhere. It can get into any type of building -- homes, offices, and schools -- and build up to high levels.
Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas. You cannot see radon and you cannot smell it or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when you breathe air-containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Testing is the only way to find out about your home's radon level. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing of all homes.
If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.
EPA recommends that you obtain the radon level in the home you are considering buying. An EPA publication "The Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide" as well as a map of radon "hot spots" is available on line at epa.gov/radon.
If elevated levels are found it is recommended that these levels be reduced. In most cases, a professional can accomplish this at reasonable cost or homeowner installed mitigation system that adheres to the EPA's approved methods for reduction of radon in a residential structure.
We use state of the art electronic radon monitors which are tamper resistant and provide very accurate results in the shortest amount of time, while following all EPA protocols.
Trow Inspection Service
(678) 520-5842 |
