Home Inspections

Buying a Renovated home?

By Dianne Guzik The Art of Home Inspection

705-741-8692 taohi2007@gmailcom

So you bought a renovated home. What can you expect from an inspection? Home Inspectors want to be sure the work has been done with safety in mind.

To start, windows should be installed so water can drain away from the envelope and function easily - not only for convenience, but for safety. Fire safety plans need an alternative escape route (other than the door) if smoke and fire are barring your way to safely get out. It’s popular to install a basement dwelling for added income. Things to look for - are the kitchen and bathroom fans vented out properly? Are electrical outlets far enough from the water source and GFCI and ACF protected? Do bedrooms have accessible, functional windows large enough to use as a fire escape? Is there a separate entrance? Are there safety handrails on the stairs? Unfortunately it is impossible to see plumbing and wiring through the walls but your inspector will check for working drains and leaks under sinks and around toilets and outlets for wiring issues. Do the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work? We look at the base of the walls for high moisture readings. Is there a dehumidifier running? Is there a smell of gas or mustiness? Is the sump pump functional?

This is only scratching the surface and each situation is unique. I always recommend a short term radon test designed specifically for real estate transactions for basement apartments. Unfortunately this very important issue is almost always over looked. Ref. www.hc-sc.gc.ca or www.canada.ca/radon.