The Inspection

• The Basic Home Inspection
• Optional Inspections

Basic Home Inspection

• Mechanical Systems
• Examination of the Exterior
• Examination of the Interior of the Structure

The average home inspection takes between two to three hours for a single family home. We require that you be present for the inspection. Your participation in the home inspection is extremely important and offers you the benefit of on-the-spot feedback. During the course of the inspection we will not only point out defects within the structure and make suggestions on how to correct those defects, we will also explain the operation of the mechanical systems within the structure.

Mechanical Systems Covered in the Inspection

• Electrical System
• Heating System
• Air Conditioning System
• Plumbing System

Examination of the Exterior

• Siding
• Doors
• Windows
• Roof coverings
• Chimneys

Examination of the Interior of the Structure

• the visible foundation
• wooden supporting structure
• attic spaces are examined for insulation and for signs of water penetration

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Optional Inspections

• Wood Destroying Insect Inspection
• Water Quality Testing
• Well Water Testing
• Radon Testing
• Lead Paint Testing
• Septic System Inspections

Wood Destroying Insect Inspection

Only those individuals with a Supervisors License from the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection may complete a HUD approved wood destroying inspection form (NPCA-1). Additionally only those individuals with a Supervisors License can make recommendations as to how to treat any infested areas for wood destroying insects. A supervisor's license is not issued to a company, but rather, only to individual inspectors.

We perform a visual examination of the structure for these wood destroying insects. Wood destroying insects include:

• Termites
• Carpenter ants
• Carpenter bees
• Reinfesting boring beetles

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Water Quality Testing

We offer a wide variety of different types of water tests. Water testing can be as simple as a bacteria test, or a series of tests that include bacteria and minerals. You should consult with the lending institution that is providing your mortgage to determine what type of water testing will be required.

The most common well water tests includes testing for Nitrites, Hardness Trubity, Sulfates, Color and Odor as well as the following:

• Coliform Bacteria: All water should be free of Coliform Bacteria. The presence of Coliform Bacteria is an indication that there may be other disease-causing pathogens present.
• Nitrate: Well water containing Nitrate above 10mg/L is not recommended for consumption by children under the age of two, nursing mothers, or pregnant women.
• Sodium: Physicians use the sodium level in water in planning a low sodium diets. Elevated sodium levels coupled with a low pH makes well water very corrosive to metal water pipes.
• pH: is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of the well water. The lower the pH level, the more acidic the water is. A pH level of 7 is considered to be neutral.
• Chloride: Chloride is one of the major inorganic anions in water.
• Iron: Elevated levels of iron will cause staining in plumbing fixture, clothes, and dishes.
• Manganese: Elevated levels of manganese will cause staining in plumbing fixture, clothes, and dishes.

Well Water Yield Testing

This type of test is used to determine how many gallons per minute the on-site well will produce. It is extremely important to be sure that once you have purchased your home there will be ample well water to service your needs.

An average family of three will use approximately 350 gallons of water per day. The yield of a well is determined by two components:

1. How many gallons of water the well will produce?
2. What is the amount of water storage the well and the water storage tanks will provide?

In order to properly conduct a Yield Test, the cover of the on-site well should be removed, if possible. (Older homes may have a buried well-head that is not accessible.) Once the cover is removed, the water level within the wells casing should be checked. The water should then be turned on and left to run for approximately one hour, while recording how many gallons of water have been run, and how far the water level within the well casing has dropped. Calculating the amount of water used and how much the water level has dropped within the well casing, gives the yield that the well will produce.

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Radon Testing

Radon is an inert radioactive gas that is tasteless, colorless, and odorless. Radon gas enters a structure through ground soils, or well water. Elevated levels of radon gas within a structure increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all houses be tested for radon.

Radon in the Air

Homes that are serviced by well water must have the radon air and water levels tested in order to determine the overall health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency has set an action level for radon in air at 4.0 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter). They recommend that if the test results indicate a level above 4.0 pCi/L, that corrective measure be taken to reduce the levels.

Radon in Drinking Water

The State of Connecticut, Department of Health suggests that if the radon level within drinking water is above 5,000 pCi/L that a filter system be installed to remove the radon from the water.

Radon reduction system designed to remove radon from the ground soils will cost $900.00 to $2,000. Systems installed to remove radon from drinking water can cost between $2000 and $4,000

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Lead Paint Testing

The State of Connecticut Department of Housing states that any structure built prior to 1979 has a potential for containing lead based paint. Lead based paint that is cracking, scaling, shipping or peeling is a potential health risk.

Septic System Inspections

In agreement with the Connecticut Department of Health Services suggested procedures, Homes Plus recommends that your septic inspections be perfomed by a septic system professional. Recomendations include pumping out the septic tank, inspecting the tank visually, and examining the leaching fields. We do not recommend performing Flood Tests, Dye-Tests, or Probe-Tests. Consistent with these recommendations Homes Plus does not evaluate septic systems.

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