Questions Your Inspector (Should) Answer

I am now entering my third year running an independent home inspection company and what a fun ride it has been! I can now confidently say that every home is different, no two homes are alike and one of the most exciting parts of being a home inspector is discovering something new. It is always fun to see a unique feature of a home and to see things that we previously have only seen during training. 

However, there are some things that are the same on every inspection and while no two inspector’s skill or background is the same there are some things every inspector should know. It always comes off as a shock when I tell clients that there are zero home inspection regulations in Nova Scotia, and anyone can legally call themselves a home inspector in a week or two. Here is a sample of some questions a home inspector should be able to confidently answer after every inspection. 

Does This Home Have Concerning Electrical Issues?
While we are not electricians, home inspectors should be able to detect most major electrical issues. They include: 

• Potential unsafe aluminum (AL) wiring, and differentiating between normal and abnormal AL as not all AL wiring is a concern. 
• If a home is grounded, why this is an issue and how much of a concern it is. There are a few solutions at various costs for ungrounded homes and a home inspector should be aware of the major solutions electricians use aside from rewiring the entire home. 
• If any receptacles have reverse polarity and why this can SOMETIMES be a concern with certain appliances.

 
What Are the Major Plumbing Materials? 
Most homes I inspect use copper pipe to bring service in from the street, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) for distribution and plastic, and either ABS (black) or PVC (white) for wastewater. An inspector should be aware of materials that may or may not be a concern such as: 

• Lead supply lines and the dangers of lead poisoning. They should be aware that here in Halifax they are only found in certain areas, such as peninsular Halifax and downtown Dartmouth. 
• If a home has polybutylene or Kitec (PEX-AL-PEX) and why these are controversial materials.
• If the water pressure is lower than average, especially when multiple taps are used. This may or may not be an issue and a home inspector should be able to advise accordingly. 

Does The Home Have Potential Water Infiltration Issues? 
There is a common phrase I use which is “water is the #1 enemy of homes” and biggest concern I get called about is moisture and the damage it has caused. A home inspector should know that water has many ways to enter a home and some of the many signs of water damage. Like many home inspectors, I use a number of tools as well as all my senses to look for signs of either active or potential water infiltration into the home. While we don't have X-ray vision and leaks can be very difficult to detect, a home inspector should be aware of the various ways unwelcome ways water can enter a home. 

These are just some baseline areas that all home inspectors should be able to confidently speak of. While we are generalists, not specialists we should have a strong enough knowledge to identify the majority of home defects. Your inspector should answer these three questions either verbally or in a report.