General home inspections and condensed inspections

Our general home inspections are an in-depth and thorough inspection of the entire home. This includes grounds, exterior, roof, attached garage, attic, foundation/structure, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, as well as other interior portions of the home such as kitchen, bathrooms, laundry areas, fireplaces, windows/walls/floors/ceilings, etc. Clients will be sent a full report with photos, descriptions, and have the option of either an in person summary if the client and agent are able to attend, or we will be happy to explain the findings over the phone at your convenience. A general home inspection typically takes between 2.5 and 4 hours to complete. After the inspection is complete, we are always happy to answer any questions and to walk through any areas of concern you may have.

The condensed inspections are very similar to the general inspections, the main difference being that they are on average less costly and quicker to complete with only the main systems of the home being inspected. Main systems inspected in the condensed report are the roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, attic, and electrical. These typically take between 1 to 1.5 hours and can be performed as a pre-offer inspection. We often provide this service when the market is in a highly competitive state, or when the inspection window is shortened. We also offer an even more condensed version which is a 30-minute walk through of the home that is done in person with the client or agent. While this option does not include a written report, your home inspector will still provide verbal consultation services throughout the 30-minute walkthrough with you and/or your realtor. This type of inspection can be done as a pre-offer inspection, or even during an open house and typically focuses on the main areas of concern that you or your realtor may have about the home.

Radon

Radon is an odorless and colorless radioactive gas that can build up in a home over an extended period of time. The EPA currently states that radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the United States. Morning Star Home Inspection offers radon testing in the form of 48-hour continuous testing using a top-of-the-line radon meter. Radon levels can fluctuate throughout the day; with a longer testing window, we’re able to get a much more accurate reading of the levels of radon in a home vs. a short, one time reading. The meter takes a reading every hour, calculates the average level of radon over the 48-hour period, and displays each reading in a graphical form. The radon report and an EPA radon risk chart will be sent as a separate email to both the client and the client’s agent the day of pickup, as well as the inspector’s interpretation of the results and any recommendations if needed.

Sewer Scope

A sewer scope may be one of the most important types of inspections to consider when buying a home, even more so if the home is older than 40 years. Repairs to a sewer line of a home can quickly become costly and it is difficult to discern the condition without physically running a camera through the line. The first step in a sewer line inspection is to locate what is known as the “clean out.” This will be a circular opening typically found somewhere near the main drainage of the home. After the cap has been removed, we will run a camera into the drainage system up to 100 ft, or until the system connects with the city drainage or a home’s septic system. A sewer scope inspection can be performed during a general home inspection or as a standalone inspection if a person has concerns regarding the sewer lines in their home. After the inspection is complete, the sewer scope recording will be attached to the main report via a YouTube link, as well as the inspector’s interpretation of the results and any recommendations if needed.

Termite Inspection

Termites are wood destroying organisms (WDO) that can affect the structure of a home. During our termite/WDO inspections we are looking for signs of active WDO, old damage that is likely caused by WDO, and any evidence that there has been previous treatment for the presence of WDO. Oftentimes a home has been bought and sold multiple times since the original treatment for WDOs, resulting in current sellers being unaware of any previous termite activity. This is where we come in with our extensive knowledge of what to look for and offer advice on what we may find.

Mold/Air Quality Testing

Mold and air quality testing is something that every homeowner should consider for peace of mind. Many buyers will voice their concerns about areas that can potentially provide an environment that mold can thrive in. It is impossible to be certain if there are high levels of mold in a home without having professional testing done and sending those tests into a lab for analysis. When we test for mold, we use an air collection testing method consisting of one outside control sample and one indoor sample in an area that is most likely to facilitate mold growth (additional indoor samples may be requested at an additional cost). This method involves setting up a calibrated air pump system to gather a very precise amount of air from the surrounding area. Testing for mold in this manner allows for a more precise reading of the ambient levels of mold within a home. A mold test can be preformed during a general home inspection or as a standalone test if a person has concerns regarding mold in their home. After the samples are collected, they are shipped overnight to the testing laboratory. Results are typically available in 2 to 4 business days after the inspection and will be sent with a graph and additional resources to help clients make informed decisions regarding a homes mold levels.