Home Inspection Articles

Spring has sprung, and with it comes more than just the pitter patter of raindrops on your roof. As we begin to see the temperature consistently above zero, and climbing, many homeowners will dive into their next home improvement project 

If you're one of the many homeowners undertaking a spring project, consider the following: renovations can be a disruptive activity and it's important to be aware of what it is you're disrupting. Some projects create a mess of dirt and debris, and some create, or rather expose, more dangerous substances. 

In last month's March Poll we asked you to look at a picture and tell us what was or wasn't wrong with it. Although everyone polled did agree that the photo showed a problem, only 30% identified the possible presence of asbestos in the tiles. In light of the limited knowledge homeowners have with respect to asbestos and mould, and the start of renovation season, we thought it was a great time to discuss the more hazardous materials home construction can unearth.   

Asbestos

Prior to the mid-1980s, asbestos was commonly used in many household items, like flooring, insulation, and around pipes. Asbestos minerals tend to separate into microscopic particles that become airborne and are easily inhaled. As long as it is undisturbed, neither the asbestos fibers nor the dust will be released into the air. However, when it is disturbed, it becomes dangerous. Exposure to asbestos can cause individuals to develop several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer. Like any hazards, length and intensity of exposure are major factors in the risk of asbestos-related respiratory illness.

If the renovations that you're doing involve areas or items that may contain asbestos, it's important to have an asbestos inspection performed. An asbestos inspection includes: 

• A complete visual inspection of the entire home for materials suspected to contain asbestos
• A sampling of materials that are suspected to contain asbestos - according to O. Reg. 278/05
• A report summarizing the results of the sampling and investigation

If there are asbestos containing materials that are going to be damaged, disturbed or removed by the renovation, the safe approach is to have the materials removed by a qualified contractor.

Think this is a DIY project? Think again! Disposable respirators or dust masks are not appropriate for asbestos - always hire a professional. Never do this work on your own. Carson Dunlop can help by providing a qualified inspection partner to test areas of your home that may be of a concern for you. Call 800-268-7070 to learn more.

Mould

If you're performing renovations in your basement, bathroom, or any area of your home that sees a lot of moisture, you may encounter mould. Mould can easily hide behind tiles and drywall, and can be found anywhere in the home.

You can't rely on the naked eye, or on mould colour, to identify moulds and their threat to your health and the health of your family. Home test kits can be unreliable too. Not only are you not an expert but the tools can often be faulty if not used correctly. 

Since it's normal for mould to be present in the air and in buildings, its mere existence is not necessarily a cause for alarm. But if mould is present in indoor air at levels higher than would be found in outdoor air, or if a significant mould colony is growing on building surfaces, it could be cause for concern. For this reason, we advise homeowners to have a mould inspection performed if there is any indication that a substantial amount of mould is present in the home. A mould inspection includes: 

• A complete visual inspection of the entire home from the basement to the attic for signs of water intrusion and mould growth
• Moisture readings collected throughout the home
• Two indoor air samples and one outdoor air sample (for reference)
• A report, which summarizes the results of the samples and investigation

An environmental specialist will help to identify the type of mould in your home, its concentration, and advise you on remediation costs and approaches. Call 800-268-7070 to book a mould inspection. 

How we can Help Home Buyers & Homeowners

The scope of a Home Inspection, as defined by both the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors and the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors, does not include environmental testing. This means that items like asbestos and mould are not covered in a Home Inspection as these materials require sampling and testing that Home Inspectors are not equipped to perform. In addition, they are usually hidden behind walls or under carpet, completely out of sight, so a non-invasive inspection would not encounter them.

We recognize that even though they aren't included in a Home Inspection, mould and asbestos can be a major concern for homeowners. We offer environmental testing through our partners that can be scheduled at any time through our service centre. We have even redesigned our Home Buyer's Inspections to include the option to have clients get their new home tested for hazardous materials at the same time as we do a regular Home Inspection.

Hazardous materials can be encountered during any stage of homeownership, and we're committed to our clients for as long as they own their homes. An environmental assessment can be performed prior to the Home Inspection, during the inspection, or several years after the inspection has taken place. If you are planning on undertaking a renovation this season and haven't had your property assessed for hazardous materials, we'd encourage you to do so.

Interested in more home renovation advice? Check out our useful resource on Home Improvement Costs. Have a more detailed question on Spring renovations? Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and we'll do our best to help out.  

June is finally upon us - it's time to break out the sunscreen, barbeque tongs, lounge chairs, and...tissues? Unfortunately, sunshine brings allergens and this summer is being projected as one of the worst for pollen we've seen in a long time. As many people experience the joys of itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing fits, we thought it prudent to talk about the allergens present in your home. Over 64% of the 22 individuals we surveyed last month admitted they were concerned about the air quality in their home.

Air quality is an issue that encompasses many areas, so we reached out to our newest Specialty Service partner, LEAP Management Inc, to discuss air quality issues and how they are assessed. We spoke directly with inspector Lilja Palsson, B.Sc., Dip., Eng., CRSP. Lilja has a degree in Microbiology from the University of Waterloo, a post-degree diploma in Environmental Engineering Technology from Conestoga College, a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from Ryerson, and she is also a Canadian Registered Safety Professional. 

Carson Dunlop: How does an air quality assessment work; what happens during this type of assessment?
Lilja Palsson: "Air quality is a very broad term. When doing this type of assessment, I first talk to the client about their concerns. Are they experiencing allergic symptoms such as headache, sore throat, or respiratory distress? Is there an odor? After discussing what issues they're experiencing, I decide what kind of parameters I would like to sample for - perhaps air sampling and assessment for mold; or maybe a more sophisticated sampling device to determine the source of an odor. I'll run a few air samples and do a visual inspection to see if there are any issues that caught my eye (staining, spray foam, etc.)."

CD: What is the most common misconception homeowners have in relation to air quality?
LP: "Homeowners tend to think that events such as flooding, sewer backup, installing spray foam, renovations, etc. will not affect the indoor air quality of their home. They often do not associate any illness or symptoms they are experiencing as being related to those events. The correlation between air quality and homeownerships and maintenance issues tends to go unnoticed."

CD: What is the weirdest thing you've encountered during an air quality inspection?
LP: "I did find gold in someone's attic while sampling vermiculite. A previous owner of the home had stashed an old cookie tin full of tacky gold jewelry that I found while taking samples in the attic. I brought the tin down for the owner and we looked at it. I think it was from the 1940s or so. She had the jewelry appraised - she didn't tell me the exact amount but she called to thank me and said that I paid for myself and more!"

CD: What simple, preventative maintenance can homeowners undertake to help preserve their air quality?
LP: "In terms of preventative maintenance I would say always monitor your home for potential leaks, floods and other water issues. Replace your roof before it leaks; clean your gutters regularly; caulk your windows and replace them before they leak; make sure your basement is waterproofed before you finish it; use your washroom fan; make sure your bathtub is well-caulked; keep your home well-ventilated in the summer and sealed with the furnace running in the winter; if you add insulation to your attic, add ventilation as well - I really could go on, but I know this is an article, not a novel."

As a Home Inspection company our aim is to keep homeowners safe, warm and dry. Much like Lilja, we believe in the importance of home maintenance as it pertains to keeping families comfortable and secure in their homes. Carson Dunlop's Home Reference Book outlines many strategies for helping homeowners maintain their properties. To learn more about how this text can help you, please click here.

In addition, our Specialty Services program provides our clients and real estate partners with fast, easy and cost-effective access to qualified specialists, like LEAP Management Inc, all with a single call. To learn more, please click here or call 1-800-268-7070 to schedule an air quality assessment.