HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-05-10, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2000.
Home & Garden 2000
Inspection can save money later
Checking for cracks
An inspection of foundations, particularly stone foundations
can reveal missing mortar and cracks.
local building official Paul Josling
can offer tips on what to look for
when examining a house.
“The first place to start is in the
basement,” he said. “Look at the
floor joists for dry rot. Are they on
16” centres? Are they at least 2x8s?”
The walls and floor of the base
ment should be checked for cracks,
and leaks. Take note if there are dry
areas which are discoloured. It could
indicate previous water seepage.
The electrical panel should be in
good condition with upgraded sys
tems, said Josling. “Check that the
proper fuses are being used. If not, it
could indicate a problem.”
“The wiring should also be neat,
not with wire running everywhere.”
All outlets should be grounded as
well, added Josling.
Josling suggests this is an area
which could be inspected by a
licensed electrician if a home inspec
tor is not available.
Plumbing is another area where a
professional could be called in. Look
for updated plumbing with no galva
nized pipes, he said. Check for leaks
and signs of leakage around drains.
The condition of the plumbing fix
tures should be examined.
While in the basement, look at the
age and condition of the heating and
air conditioning system.
When checking the heating,
Josling said to ensure any solid heat
ing systems such as fireplaces or
woodburning stoves are properly
installed with correct clearances. All
vent pipes should be in good condi
tions.
There should be smoke detectors
on every level of the home.
Upstairs, potential buyers should
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Whether buying a first home or
looking for smaller accommodations
as a retired couple, ensuring the
structural soundness of the house can
be an important step in real estate
shopping.
For home buyers filled with both
anxiety and excitement, house shop
ping can sometimes come down to
the perfect setting, lovely interior
decorating or right location.
However, before signing the
papers, buyers should have qualified
tradespeople or home inspectors
look at the skeleton and “guts” of the
house to protect against any hidden
problems.
Though not a home inspector,
check for insulation around electrical
outlets, particularly those on outside
walls to see if there are drafts. The
seals on doors and windows should
also be inspected.
The attic should be accessible so
the amount of insulation can be
determined.
Look at walls, as cracks in the
plaster could indicate movement in
the house.
On the exterior, purchasers need to
look at the condition of the founda
tion, particularly if it’s stone and
mortar.
Josling said to see if the grade of
the slope away from the house is suf
ficient to direct water away from the
area and if the eavestroughs are in
good repair.
Siding, whether brick, aluminum
or other material, should be looked
at. Wooden fascia boards should be
checked for dry rot and there should
be ventilation into the attic. Curling
roof shingles can indicate poor attic
ventilation or insulation as well as
age.
There should be a roof vent for the
stack and the chimney needs to be in
good repair.
While the electrician is on-site he
might also look at the electrical serv
ice to the house and any outdoor out
lets.
Though most people do a quick
look over the systems of the house,
Josling suggests a good home
inspection should take at least two
hours.
Home inspection services are a
private industry and can be located
through the yellow pages under
building inspection services.
However, Josling warns, there is
no regulatory agency for the industry
so home buyers should ask for refer
ences or recommendations from
friends and family.
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