Would you buy a new car with out test driving it first?
We service a market in Huntsville, Alabama, and surrounding
areas where a lot of newly constructed homes are being built to keep up with
the never-ending demand of real estate that comes with so many people relocating
to the area every day. We have the conversation all the time as to whether,
or why a home inspection would be needed on a new build home. My response is
almost always, would you buy a new car with out test driving it first? Because that is essentially what we are doing. We are test driving your home before you purchase it. We are testing the operation and inspecting the installation of your doors, windows, lighting, outlets, appliances, plumbing, etc.
Doesn't the local code inspector check the same things?
Yes and No. Building code is a set of minimum requirements for building design, construction, and operation to protect public health, safety and the natural resources that sustain us. Structures are built in compliance with laws and regulations established by the state, according to the specific codes of the location and time period in which they are built. Code inspectors inspect and enforce the code that their local jurisdiction has adopted, if your local jurisdiction has a code enforcement official or office at all. At the time of writing this we have areas in North Alabama that are currently on the 1996 NEC and 2002 NEC. Home inspectors use their knowledge of the building code, as well as building science and known poor or excellent building practices to conduct our inspections and make recommendations for corrections or repairs. We will inform you of updated safety devices or practices that while not locally required, are still recommended for the improved safety of your family. We do not just make sure that your HVAC is present and everything is installed, we also test the cooling and the heat to make sure that it is in fact functioning as designed and there are no visible issues present. Below is a short list of deficiencies that we have found after the local code office has given the builder the certificate of occupancy:
- No insulation installed in the attic.
- Weather boots at vent stacks on the roof torn and leaking.
- Missing flashing at various areas of the roof with active leaks.
- HVAC gas flue disconnected in the attic or crawlspace.
- Condensate line backing up into HVAC drain pan.
- Missing HVAC drain pan in attic.
- Breaker tripping every time the microwave is turned on.
- Dishwasher not secured to cabinet and drain not installed at plumbing.
- Improper pitch of shower pan causing pooling and not allowing for complete drainage.
- Spa tub drain leaking.
- Loose toilets, and damaged or leaking wax seals.
- The list goes on, but I will stop here.
