Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector
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Termite Damage, a Concern or Not
When termite damage is found during the course of a real estate inspection many times buyers are told, "no problem the seller will treat for termites". While it is nice the seller will perform a $1,000 or so treatment the real question should be "Who will pay for the repairs to the structure that can be 5, 10 20, or 50 times the cost of the treatment?" If wood destroying insect damage was observed to the wood... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
When termite damage is found during the course of a real estate inspection many times buyers are told, "no problem the seller will treat for termites". While it is nice the seller will perform a $1,000 or so treatment the real question should be "Who will pay for the repairs to the structure that can be 5, 10 20, or 50 times the cost of the treatment?" If wood destroying insect damage was observed to the wood... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Buying Slab on Grade Homes
Slab on grade sometimes have wood destroying insect and other structural damages that were not discovered during visual home inspections. Wood framing, footings and foundations are not visible for inspection in this style home. Defects may exist that I could not see today. These are inherent risks in buying this type home. There is always the possibility, latent structural defects (including problems with wood framing, footings... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Slab on grade sometimes have wood destroying insect and other structural damages that were not discovered during visual home inspections. Wood framing, footings and foundations are not visible for inspection in this style home. Defects may exist that I could not see today. These are inherent risks in buying this type home. There is always the possibility, latent structural defects (including problems with wood framing, footings... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Certificate of Occupancy, What Does It Include
Contrary to popular belief most of the time a Certificate of Occupancy is NOT any type of a guarantee permits or inspections were obtained for work performed on a home. In most of New Jersey what buyers are told is a Certificate of Occupancy is actually just a municipal inspection of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. There are exceptions to this rule, towns like Fair Lawn do... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Contrary to popular belief most of the time a Certificate of Occupancy is NOT any type of a guarantee permits or inspections were obtained for work performed on a home. In most of New Jersey what buyers are told is a Certificate of Occupancy is actually just a municipal inspection of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. There are exceptions to this rule, towns like Fair Lawn do... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Basement Water Infiltration Problems
It is impossible for home inspectors to determine if water or moisture penetration will pose a problem in the future on the basis of a one time inspection. As a home buyer you should obtain a sworn statement from the sellers detailing the frequency and severity of water infiltration that has occurred in the past. Trust no one. In 13 years of home inspection experience, during 7,000 +/- I have never once heard an... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
It is impossible for home inspectors to determine if water or moisture penetration will pose a problem in the future on the basis of a one time inspection. As a home buyer you should obtain a sworn statement from the sellers detailing the frequency and severity of water infiltration that has occurred in the past. Trust no one. In 13 years of home inspection experience, during 7,000 +/- I have never once heard an... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Basement Bedrooms, Legal / Safe ?
If your basement bedroom lacks the required and necessary fire egress stop using it, in order to avoid being trapped in the event of a fire or emergency. I have heard many people tell me they only use the basement as a bedroom once in a while. It is no safer than drinking and driving if you only do it once in a while. If there is ever a fire or carbon monoxide leak or gas leak and you happen to be in the basement the... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
If your basement bedroom lacks the required and necessary fire egress stop using it, in order to avoid being trapped in the event of a fire or emergency. I have heard many people tell me they only use the basement as a bedroom once in a while. It is no safer than drinking and driving if you only do it once in a while. If there is ever a fire or carbon monoxide leak or gas leak and you happen to be in the basement the... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
Air Conditioning Systems, How Not To Break Them
In order to avoid causing damage to the air conditioning unit do not operate, test or inspect the equipment when exterior temperatures are too cold (less than 65 F degrees for the last 24 hours)reguardless of the interior temperature. To operate the air conditioning when it is cold risks causing permanent damage to the unit. If you operate the air conditioning system when it is too cold out, it may function... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
In order to avoid causing damage to the air conditioning unit do not operate, test or inspect the equipment when exterior temperatures are too cold (less than 65 F degrees for the last 24 hours)reguardless of the interior temperature. To operate the air conditioning when it is cold risks causing permanent damage to the unit. If you operate the air conditioning system when it is too cold out, it may function... (posted by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector 5 years 258 days ago.)
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