AmeriSpec is an all-inclusive home inspection service company. In addition to general home inspections, AmeriSpec inspectors are trained to perform a large variety of specialty services*, which may include the following:
Radon:
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is a bi-product of the radioactive decay of uranium and radium, and studies of humans exposed to both high and low levels of radon have shown an increase in lung cancer. Radon gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so the only way to know the level of radon in your home is to test for it. AmeriSpec’s radon inspection service includes the placement of testing devices to measure the ongoing level of radon in the habitable areas of the home. These measurements evaluate the level of radon to determine if any form of improvement is required. Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you should take steps to resolve the issue if the radon level is 4pCi/l or higher. The EPA document A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (Third Edition) provides the basic information everyone should know about radon. For more information on how to reduce your radon health risk, call your state radon office for copies of the guides listed below:
Other indoor air quality-specific publications are located at: www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/.
Water:
This service is a sampling of drinking water within the home. The purpose of the inspection is to provide information about the quality of the water in the home at the time of the inspection. The test will be performed in accordance with the laboratory and/or manufacturers guidelines for the collection of water samples. For more information visit:
Mold:
This service determines whether harmful mold is present in a home. Exposure to bacteria and fungus in indoor air has emerged as a significant health problem in residential environments as well as in occupational settings. Molds and mildews are names given to thousands of species of filamentous fungi. They have clusters of spores, which are the reproductive product of the mature mold, that are located on the end of tiny stalks. The web like body, or mycelium, attaches to porous surfaces and may contain chemical compounds, some of which can be poisonous and toxic to humans. Spores pose a larger health concern because they become airborne and can be inhaled. They can also create health problems ranging from allergic reactions to respiratory tract inflammation and infection, depending on the exposure and tolerance of the individual. For more information visit:
Septic System:
An Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Inspection is an objective evaluation of the onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. This inspection is based on the experience and expertise of a qualified inspector in accordance with prescribed standards. It is an evaluation of each component examined leading to a conclusion about the system’s condition. It is a written narrative report of the evaluation of each component examined, leading to a conclusion about the septic system’s condition, at the time of inspection. It is not a warranty or guarantee that the system will properly function for any period of time in the future, nor is there any assurance that the soil is currently adequately treating or will adequately treat effluent. For more information visit:
Carbon Monoxide:
This service determines if the combustible appliances in the home are releasing harmful levels of carbon monoxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Often a person, or even an entire family, may not recognize that carbon monoxide is poisoning them. The chemical is odorless and some of the symptoms are similar to common illnesses. Carbon monoxide can be particularly dangerous because its deadly effects are rarely recognized until it is too late to take action against them. For more information visit:
Lead-Based Paint:
Lead-based paint remains a common element in older homes, either in paint, dust, or site soil. The presence of lead can only be determined by a professional assessment of the physical characteristics of the material, such as its susceptibility to damage. The potential for contact between the building occupants and the material is critical to assess the real hazard (and to then define an appropriate response action). For more information, visit the HUD website or the sites listed below:
- Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet - Provides copies of the EPA Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" in various formats.
- EPA/HUD Residential Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Program - (Section 1018 of Title X)
Recognizing that families have a right to know about lead-based paint and potential lead hazards in their homes, Congress directed EPA and HUD to work together to develop disclosure requirements for sales and leases of older housing. Under section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (also known as Title X), EPA and HUD published the Federal lead disclosure regulations on March 6, 1996.
Pool/Spa:
This inspection is a visual examination of a pool/spa. This review includes the pool equipment, electrical supply, and pool liner. The equipment is run, except for the pool heater if the pilot is not lit. For more information visit:
- National Spa & Pool Institute - Founded in 1956, the National Spa & Pool Institute (NSPI) is an international trade association of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service companies, and builders in the pool/spa and hot tub industry.
Commercial Property Inspections:
Commercial inspections include properties such as apartment complexes, motels, office buildings, retail stores, and warehouses. The inspection evaluates the major systems of the property and the visible structural components; it also catalogs the type and condition of HVAC equipment. The commercial inspection results in a concise, computer-generated, comprehensive report of the building’s overall condition adhering to current ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. For more information, click here.
Roof:
A roof inspection evaluates the serviceability of the roof in relation to the trouble-free useful life. This service evaluates the condition of the roof surface and components at the time of inspection. The inspector will either mount the roof or view its surface from the roof’s edge or from the ground with binoculars, to visually determine the condition of the roof surface material. The inspector will also visually inspect for any signs of active or passive leaks associated with possible roofing material failure from the attic, conduct ceiling inspections in interior rooms directly under the roof surface, and examine the roof drainage system. For more information on roofs, visit http://www.roofs.com/.
Exterior Insulated Finish System (EIFS):
This inspection is performed to review the application and condition of artificial stucco on an existing property. It may be a nondestructive visual inspection, or a destructive analysis. The inspection is performed in order to reveal conditions conducive to, or the presence of, moisture inside the siding of the surface. For more information visit: