Northwest Home Inspection Inc.

Buying, selling, or simply an overview of your homes current condition, a licensed home inspector can help.

Why use an HIABC inspector One of the most important purchases that you will make in your life time is the purchase of a home. This process involves many speci...alists, one of which is a home/property inspector. The home inspection profession is a regulated industry in BC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can rest easy. In many cases, it is up to you to complain to the government when you’re unhappy with an inspection, or discover that he/she isn’t acting ethically. Fortunately, HIABC has highly qualified inspectors who adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice. HIABC home and property inspectors that have met the requirements of the association are allowed to use the term AHI (Accredited Home Inspector) If you have a problem, you can contact us, and we’ll help you as quickly as we can. Choosing an HIABC inspector means choosing someone you can trust to objectively, independently and apart from anyone's interests, other than your own, provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the home and property's major systems and components. HIABC members know their business. They are trained to objectively demonstrate technical proficiency and report writing skills and have committed to continuing education in order to achieve and maintain their member status. Homebuyers are not the only people who hire HIABC inspectors. Home sellers also use HIABC inspectors to gain knowledge of the condition of their home before placing it on the market. Smart home sellers know that knowledge about their home's condition makes the selling process more palatable. Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, or anyone who wants to make an informed decision about a house or property based on objective information deserves a professional HIABC home inspection.

Many of us make personal resolutions to improve our daily livesexercise more, eat better, lose weight, put family before workbut what about making New Year’s ...resolutions for your home? For 2020, consider making these resolutions for your home and suggesting these ideas to your home inspection clients. MAKE IT SAFE So many homeowners focus on making their homes beautiful, but have they also made it safe? There are a few things every homeowner should do to ensure they’re not living with a potential health or fire risk. First, check your house for radon. Radon gas is a serious public health risk in British Columbia (BC) and the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Most people are exposed to radon in their homes, schools, and workplaces. It is when radon gets ‘trapped’ in a building and accumulates to high levels, that the risk of lung cancer rises to actionable levels. In 2014, the BC Lung Association (BCLA) completed the largest single-community radon testing effort performed in Canada to date in the community of Prince George, BC. Not only were home radon concentrations tested, but homeowners were guided through a building survey. The survey was designed with months of communication between stakeholders from the private and public sectors across BC, and internationally. The main purpose of the survey was to determine any association between high or low indoor radon concentrations and building characteristics such as age of construction, heating type, number of storeys, etc. As long as we’re talking about colorless, odorless deadly gas, it is absolutely essential that every homeowner installs a working carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to smoke detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide can back up into your house and kill you. Like a radon test, a carbon monoxide detector is a small investment for such an important safeguard. Homeowners also should pay attention to the lint in their clothes dryer. Sure, you clean the little trap inside the door, but most homeowners neglect to clean the ducts and vents behind the dryer. A little lint may seem innocent, but it’s highly combustible. Vancouver sees around 20 house fires a year due directly to a dryer. If you notice any decrease in performance, it’s getting too hot or it’s not hot enough, that’s probably an indication that you have a problem down the line, so investigate that promptly. Finally, make sure your house can breathe. It’s surprising how many bathrooms and attics aren’t properly vented outside the house and how many homes have vents that are covered by shingles. Poor ventilation makes your home a prime candidate for developing mold, which comes with its own host of health hazards.