<![CDATA[Inside Edge Home Inspections Ltd. - Mike\'s Blog]]>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:03:33 -0300Weebly<![CDATA[Questions Nobody Ever Asks]]>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 03:00:00 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/not-so-frequently-asked-questionsMost home inspection websites have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section covering the basics: What is a home inspection? Can I attend? (Absolutely!) How long does it take? (Most inspections are around 2 to 2.5 hours on site, depending on the home.) Do home inspectors tell you whether to buy a house? (No, that decision is always yours.)
Those are important questions, but over the years I've noticed there are a few interesting questions that almost nobody asks. Here are some of my favourites:

Why Don’t You Offer Short Term Radon Tests?
In other words: "Why don't you offer the quick 48-hour test?"

The simple answer is that I don't believe it provides my clients with the most reliable information.  Although I have the training to perform radon testing, Health Canada recommends long-term testing—ideally between 3 and 12 months, with a minimum of 90 days during the heating season—to accurately determine a home's average radon level. Radon concentrations naturally fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day based on weather, barometric pressure, ventilation, and how the home is used.

Short-term tests can sometimes be useful in limited circumstances, but they should never be considered a substitute for a properly conducted long-term test. They also require strict "closed-house conditions," meaning windows must remain closed and exterior doors opened only as necessary. In the middle of a Nova Scotia summer (which is when the bulk of inspections are performed), that's not always practical or comfortable.

While a 48-hour test is generally better than no test at all, it can produce misleading results. A falsely low reading may provide an unwarranted sense of security, while a high reading often needs to be confirmed with a longer test anyway. Rather than offering a service that may not provide meaningful answers, I prefer to recommend testing methods that give homeowners the most accurate information possible.

What Does “Independent Home Inspector” Mean?
People sometimes assume that being an "independent" inspector means being opposed to real estate agents. That couldn't be further from the truth. Many real estate professionals throughout Nova Scotia are dedicated advocates for their clients, just as I strive to be for mine. We often work together toward the same goal: helping buyers and sellers make informed decisions.

Being independent simply means that I work for you, not for a real estate brokerage, contractor, or any other third party with an interest in the transaction. My responsibility is to provide an objective assessment of the home's condition without pressure to make a report more favourable (or more alarming) than the facts warrant.

Whether I'm performing a pre-purchase inspection, a pre-listing inspection, or a maintenance inspection on the very same home, my observations and recommendations are consistent. The condition of the house doesn't change based on who hired me, and neither should the report.

What’s the Most Interesting Personal Items or Décor You Have Seen in a Home?
Honestly? Nothing I'd ever talk about.

One of the things I take most seriously as a home inspector is respecting my clients' privacy. While I'm trained to carefully examine the home's systems and components, I'm equally careful to look past people's belongings. My focus is on the house, not the people living in it. In fact, if there were a way to temporarily make every piece of furniture and personal property disappear during an inspection, I'd be thrilled. It would certainly make my job easier!

Several years ago, I read a news story about an inspector who found a homeowner's long-lost personal belongings while searching an attic. Many people saw it as a heartwarming story, but it raised an important professional issue for me. Home inspectors should avoid moving, opening, or searching through personal belongings unless it's absolutely necessary to inspect an accessible component of the home. If personal property prevents access to an area, I'll discuss it with the homeowner before proceeding rather than simply moving their belongings myself.

Trust is Everything
Inviting a home inspector into your home requires trust. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply maintaining your property, you're allowing someone you've likely just met to spend several hours examining one of your biggest investments.

I never take that responsibility lightly.

My goal is to provide an honest, thorough inspection while treating every home, and everything in it, with respect. I strive to leave nothing behind except a detailed inspection report and, hopefully, no evidence that I was ever there beyond the photographs needed to document the home's condition. At the end of the day, home inspection isn't just about finding defects. It's about earning trust, providing clarity, and helping people make informed decisions with confidence.]]><![CDATA[Criticisms of the Home Inspection Industry]]>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 03:00:00 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/criticisms-of-the-home-inspection-industryWhen my family purchased our home (and before I became the home inspector you know and love!), I would never have considered signing on the dotted line without having an independent inspector evaluate the property first. Yet over the years, I've met many homeowners who were hesitant about home inspections or questioned their value altogether.

What I discovered was that many people had either experienced a poor inspection in the past or knew someone who had. In some cases, inspectors lacked the technical knowledge needed to identify significant issues that might not be immediately apparent. In others, they failed to communicate their findings clearly and effectively, using industry jargon that few members of the general public know or understand. There is also considerable misunderstanding among first-time homebuyers about what a home inspection actually includes, and, just as importantly, what it does not. Here are a few of the most common criticisms I hear about home inspections and my perspective on each.

"Home Inspectors are More Interested in Staying on the Good Side of Agents!"
Ask most inspectors about this potential conflict of interest and they will deny it exists. Unfortunately, my experience suggests that it can happen far too frequently. Over the years, I've heard fellow inspectors privately express concerns about being labeled a "deal killer" or "alarmist" for reporting significant defects. The pressure to maintain positive relationships with agents can be real, particularly for inspectors who rely heavily on broker or agent referral networks.

At Inside Edge Home Inspections, our philosophy is simple: our responsibility is to our client not to any transactions. While we certainly appreciate referrals from real estate professionals and others in the community, our reputation has been built on providing trusted, unbiased, and independent home inspections. Any agent or organization expecting us to soften a report or overlook concerns in order to help facilitate a sale is simply looking at the wrong company.

A home inspection should provide you with the information they need to make an informed decision. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Just Hire an Electrician, Plumber, Roofer and/or Structural Engineer for an Hour Each" 
I hear this one all the time and while it's true that a team of specialists could provide a more in-depth assessment of their respective areas of expertise, especially on specialized homes such as older properties. However, coordinating multiple tradespeople to inspect a property: often within a short conditional period, on evenings or weekends, and at a reasonable cost is simply not practical or even possible for most buyers.

Home inspectors are generalists by design. We evaluate the entire home as an interconnected system, considering how its major components work together and influence one another. While we are usually not electricians, plumbers, roofers, or engineers, we are trained to identify concerns across a broad range of building systems and recognize when further evaluation by a specialist is warranted.

For most homeowners, a professional home inspection provides the best balance of value, convenience, and insight. It serves as a comprehensive overview of a property's condition and helps prioritize any areas that may require additional investigation.

"I Can't Trust Home Inspectors: There are no Regulations in Nova Scotia!"
This criticism is understandable. Nova Scotia remains one of several jurisdictions where home inspectors are not  regulated and with no plans to do so. We tend to think of Canada as being more regulated than our neighbours to the south when in reality it is the opposite, with only British Columbia and Alberta being the exceptions.  While many reputable inspectors also support higher professional standards and accountability within the industry, the reality is that anyone can market themselves as a home inspector regardless of their training, experience, or qualifications. This lack of regulation can make it difficult for consumers to distinguish between highly qualified professionals and those with limited knowledge or experience, often referred to as "fly by night" or "drive by" inspectors. 

The good news is that the marketplace tends to be unforgiving and I can tell you firsthand inspecting homes is both mentally and physically demanding. It requires a deep understanding of residential construction, building systems, communication, report writing, risk management, and customer service. Despite appearances, it is not an easy or high paying profession, and many individuals who enter the field without the necessary preparation do not remain in business for long, with current estimates being about 80% or more of new inspectors in Nova Scotia not making it 2 years.

At Inside Edge, our company was not built overnight. Before launching, I spent years developing the knowledge, experience, and systems necessary to deliver the level of service I believed homeowners deserved. I strongly believe that clients should never have to pay for a professional who is still learning the fundamentals at their expense.

You only get one opportunity to make a first impression, and from day one, our goal has been to build a reputation based on thoroughness, professionalism, and trust. A quality inspection isn't just about finding defects: it's about providing the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions about one of the largest investments you'll ever make. ]]><![CDATA[Why I No Longer OFfer Mould Testing]]>Sun, 17 May 2026 12:30:00 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/why-i-no-longer-offer-mould-testing​Some homeowners are surprised when I tell them that I no longer offer mould testing as part of my home inspection services. At first glance, that might sound counterintuitive, especially since mould is something people naturally worry about when buying or selling a home. But after 5 years in the the home inspection industry (and working in Nova Scotia since 1999) I made the decision to stop offering mould testing because, in most situations, it provides very limited useful information and often creates more confusion than clarity. Does that mean that I think mould is harmless or overblown? Not at all!
​
The reality is that mould spores are everywhere. They exist naturally in both indoor and outdoor environments, and virtually every home will have some level of airborne mould present at any given time. A single sample taken during a short inspection window only captures conditions at that exact moment in one specific location. Open a window, run the HVAC system, cook dinner, clean the floor, or change the weather outside, and the results can vary dramatically.
Picture
You don't need a test to know this needs to be cleaned.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about mould testing: people often assume the results will tell them whether a house is “safe” or “unsafe.” In reality, even thorough testing cannot make that determination. Air sampling may identify spore types and concentrations, but it does not reliably tell you:
  • where the mould is coming from
  • how long moisture has been present
  • whether hidden growth exists behind walls
  • whether the detected levels are actually affecting occupants

In many cases, the most important part of evaluating mould concerns has little to do with laboratory testing at all. A thorough visual inspection and moisture investigation are usually far more valuable. As inspectors, as part of our procedure we already look for the conditions that allow mould growth to occur:
  • water intrusion
  • elevated humidity
  • plumbing leaks
  • condensation issues
  • poor ventilation
  • past moisture damage
If those conditions exist, mold growth is possible regardless of what an air sample says on a particular day.

There are also situations where specialized environmental testing may still make sense, particularly in cases involving significant water damage, medical sensitivities, legal disputes, or post-remediation verification. In those situations, I recommend working directly with an independent environmental consultant or industrial hygienist whose practice is dedicated specifically to indoor air quality assessment and can provide more valuable information.

As a home inspector, my goal is to provide clients with practical, reliable information that helps them make informed decisions about a property. Over time, I found that routine mould testing often failed to meet that standard. By focusing instead on identifying moisture issues, building defects, and conditions conducive to mould growth, I believe I can provide more meaningful value to my clients and help them address the root causes rather than simply generating lab results.

​Put another way, I only offer services that offer better value than what I charge and mould testing does not pass that test. 
]]><![CDATA[What is an ETS Heating System?]]>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:23:04 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/what-is-an-ets-heating-systemNo matter how many inspections I add to my tally, one thing never changes: I see something new in almost every home I inspect. The last inspection I performed had an ETS heating system, something I had only seen in textbooks previously.

What the Heck is an ETS?
An Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) system is a type of electric heating that stores heat during off-peak hours: typically at night when electricity demand (and cost) is lower and releases that heat gradually throughout the day. Instead of generating heat on demand like traditional electric heaters, ETS systems “charge up” in advance and distribute warmth when it’s needed. 

At the core of an ETS system are high-density ceramic bricks. During off-peak hours, electricity heats these bricks to very high temperatures. The stored heat is then released in a controlled manner using fans or natural convection, keeping indoor spaces comfortable without drawing large amounts of electricity during peak times. Like any heating systems, there are benefits and drawbacks to this type of heater. 
Picture
A wall mounted ETS unit.... and an inspector's foot.
Benefits of ETS Heating
  1. Lower energy costs compared to regular electric baseboard heaters.
  2. Energy Efficiency with consistent heat, avoiding temperature swings. 
  3. Takes advantage of time of day pricing, when electricity is significantly cheaper. 
  4. Very little maintenance with no surprise bills or unexpected breakdowns.
Drawbacks of ETS Heating
  1. High upfront costs. 
  2. Large units that require much more space. 
  3. Limited flexibility, especially with sudden outdoor temperature changes. 
  4. Hard to inspect compared to most other systems. 
Compared to traditional baseboard heaters, ETS systems are clearly more cost-effective over time once the initial cost is paid off. How do they stand up against ductless mini-split heat pumps? It depends. ETS may be less efficient in mild climates but can outperform in extremely cold conditions where heat pump efficiency drops. In other words, it depends on where in Nova Scotia you live and how cold that specific winter is. ​

Electric Thermal Storage heating systems represent a thoughtful approach to energy use: shifting consumption to more efficient times while maintaining comfort throughout the day. While they require a higher initial investment, the long-term savings and environmental benefits make them a compelling option for many households.
If you’re considering upgrading your heating system, ETS technology is worth a closer look, especially if you’re aiming to balance cost, comfort, and sustainability but they are not a panacea!
]]><![CDATA[Are Rain Gutters Required?]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/are-rain-gutters-requiredTo my knowledge, there are no building code regulations in either Halifax or Nova Scotia that require homeowners to install rain gutters, or eavestroughs if you prefer. This is consistent with my observations: a significant number of homes I inspect do not have gutters, whether it be missing on just on one side, over a portico, other small areas, or completely absent.

Of course, just because I see nothing in my research doesn’t mean that I don’t consider them an essential part of a house. As I have said many times before: moisture is the #1 enemy of homes! We here in Nova Scotia live in one of Canada’s wettest areas (Halifax is the third wettest major population centre behind Prince Rupert BC and St. John's NL) and that water needs to be kept away from homes: not only will this help minimize the chance of a flooded basement but will help to protect against paint being damaged and reduce the opportunity for mold and mildew to grow and wood rot to occur.

As a systematic home inspector in Halifax, I know that it is useless to just install gutters and call it a day as they require proper downspouts to be effective. Otherwise, the water will eventually just spill out over the side, and we are back at square one. Furthermore, just pouring a bunch of water in one area near the foundation can do more harm than good: it needs to be extended as far as reasonably possible: 4 feet is a good minimum but that can vary depending on topography. Rain gutters, contrary to popular belief, are not supposed to be installed level. While they may look straight from the ground, it is required to have a gentle slope towards the downspout to prevent water from pooling. They also need to be regularly cleaned, especially in areas with taller trees.

​I have performed plenty of inspections in rural areas where the gutter was nearly 100% clogged with foliage and was essentially useless: a regular eavestrough cleaning can also alert you to roofing issues, as when asphalt shingles begin to deteriorate granules can start to accumulate in the gutters. 
Picture
This is an example of a gutter that clearly shows the telltale signs of a distressed roof.
Furthermore, one needs to be aware of the slope of the property surrounding the structure. The simple fact is that without a properly graded lot, all the preventative measures in the world won’t do much good: the ground can only absorb so much water and with our rainy Spring season, water will travel towards a foundation and eventually inside a home if the lot is sloped that way. I did one inspection where the force of water coming off the roof compacted the ground and sloped the ground towards the foundation and while no flooding was detected, it is not a matter of if but when the basement ends up with unwanted water.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and a water control system needs to be properly installed and maintained regularly to be effective. Installing a fancy eavestrough system without considering all the points mentioned in this blog post is nothing but a significant waste of time and money. While this can be a DIY project (yours truly successfully installed a supplementary system at home) it is important to understand the science behind water flow and to follow manufacturer’s instructions. 
Picture
I strongly suspect this was caused mainly by hydrostatic pressure on the foundation.
]]><![CDATA[Garage Door Dangers]]>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/garage-door-dangersPicture
I am a big fan of DIY work and empowering homeowners to take care of their own homes but there are some items that are only for professionals and garage doors are at the top of my list. Possibly one of the biggest dangers in a home that most homeowners and tenants are unaware of is located in the garage. There are a number of concerns for home inspectors in this area of the home and the most obvious one is the garage door. This is one of, if not the heaviest item in the house and to make matters worse, it is meant to be raised and be suspended overhead.

When it comes to garage doors, I tend to focus on three main issues:

​Garage Door Springs
While safety has improved significantly over the years, the simple fact is that torsion springs are always under a incredible amount of tension. Do not adjust a garage spring or allow an unqualified person to do so! A spring failure can not only cause significant hand and facial injuries but, given how high these springs are off the ground and how sudden and unexpected the forces of a broken spring are, can easily knock someone off a ladder. Garage floors are usually made of hard concrete, and falls can be fatal from even a small height. I used to work in building maintenance and while I tried my hand at whatever I could, I never attempted to repair a garage door. 
Picture
This might be the most dangerous thing in a home.
Defective or Missing Auto-Reverse Sensor
All garage doors need to have an auto-reverse sensor to not only protect children and animals but also against items that are accidently placed under garage doors. Many years ago, I saw the result of someone leaving a heavy object under a garage door without a sensor and the damage to the door was significant and costly. We usually test this by sweeping a small piece of a 1X4 or a similar stick under the door to ensure a closing door immediately reverses.

Missing Handle
Particularly on manually operated doors, a handle is of the utmost importance. Without a handle, fingers can easily get into a pinch point when closing a garage door and cause significant injury to that area. While obviously not as dangerous as the first two issues it is still something to be aware of.

It bears repeating that garage doors are heavy, and their springs are under an incredible amount of tension even when at rest. Unless you are trained and experienced, never attempt to do a DIY repair on a garage door or spring and always leave it to the professionals.  While an Indiana Jones style slide looks great, it should stay in the movies where it belongs.
​
Fortunately, garage doors generally don’t need a lot of maintenance: as long as the tracks are kept lubricated and any unusual noises are not ignored, you will enjoy safe travels to and from your home for many years to come. ​
]]><![CDATA[The Danger of Unbalanced 120V Legs]]>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:12:37 GMThttps://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/the-danger-of-unbalanced-120v-legsAs a home inspector, I don’t have a problem with homeowners being handy. Painting, replacing fixtures, even basic repairs: those can be great DIY projects. Good contractors are booked solid so many homeowners complain about how getting a contractor to commit to a job in Halifax in the year 2026 is like nailing Jell-O to the wall.
 
Electrical work is different.
 
One of the most common and most dangerous mistakes I see (luckily mostly from other home inspectors or electricians) comes from well-intentioned DIY electrical work that throws a home’s electrical system out of balance, particularly when it comes to the two 120-volt “legs” that power your house. Most homeowners don’t even realize those legs exist, that is until something goes very wrong.

How Residential Power Actually Works (Quick Version) 
In a typical North American home, you don’t just have “120 volts.” You have single phase power from two separate legs, which means:
  • Two 120-volt hot legs (the red and black wires)
  • One shared neutral (the white wires)
  • 240 volts across the two hot legs ​(120V X 2 =240V)
When things are wired correctly, the electrical load is balanced between those two legs. The neutral carries only the difference between the loads, not the full current. That balance is critical to a safe and effective electrical system. ​
Picture
This is an example of what appears to be an unbalanced system but is perfectly fine.
What Happens When the Legs Aren’t Balanced 
When the two 120-volt legs are not balanced properly, bad things can happen, quietly at first.
 
1. Overloaded Neutrals 
Instead of carrying a small difference in current, the neutral can end up carrying more current than it was designed for. I’ve opened panels and found neutrals overheated, discolored, or brittle from years of excess load. That’s a fire risk hiding in plain sight.
 
2. Voltage Fluctuations Throughout the House 
An unbalanced system can cause one leg to run high voltage and the other low voltage. That’s when homeowners start reporting: 
  • Lights getting unusually bright in one room.
  • Lights dimming in another.
  • Electronics behaving erratically.
Those voltage swings can destroy sensitive devices without warning.
 
3. Damage to Appliances and Electronics 
Modern appliances and electronics expect stable voltage. When one leg spikes because of an imbalance, components can burn out almost instantly. Refrigerators, HVAC controls, and entertainment systems can suddenly fail for reasons that trace back to improper DIY wiring.
 
4. Breakers That Don’t Trip When They Should 
An overloaded neutral or improperly shared circuit doesn’t always trip a breaker. That gives homeowners a false sense of safety: everything “works,” until it doesn’t.
 
Why This Is Hard to DIY Safely 
The biggest problem with DIY electrical work isn’t effort—it’s invisible complexity. You can’t see: 
  • How loads are distributed across the panel.
  • How shared neutrals behave under load.
  • How a small change affects the whole system.  
Electricians (and home inspectors!) are trained to think in systems, not just circuits. Home inspectors are trained to spot when those systems are stressed, even if the lights still turn on and the heat still works.
 
What I Look For During Inspections 
When I suspect DIY electrical work, I pay close attention to:
  • Breaker placement and load distribution.
  • Overheated or mismatched wiring.
  • Subpanels wired like main panels.
  • “It works” solutions that violate basic electrical principles. 
These are often the homes where sellers say, “We never had a problem”.
 
The Bottom Line 
DIY electrical work doesn’t usually fail immediately. It fails later, under load, when conditions are just right. Unbalanced 120-volt legs are a perfect example of how a small, well-meaning change can put stress on your entire electrical system without any obvious warning signs.
 
If you’re planning to add circuits, modify a panel, install a subpanel, or do anything related to electrical, call a licensed electrician. Some mistakes don’t shock you right away and an unbalanced breaker panel is one such example. 
​
Picture
This is AI generated and is wrong in almost every way imaginable!
]]>