​Buying a home is a big decision, so you need it to be the right one.  While you cannot always find out everything about the home’s history, there are some things that are important to find out.  For example, has the home been previously flooded?
 
There are many reasons why a home might have been flooded in the past.  This is an important thing to find out before you decide to purchase the home because, depending on the reason, this might affect you in the future.  The following video will help you understand a little more about purchasing a flooded home.
 
Here at Melandro Home Inspections, we want you to have the best home buying experience so, please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding your worries and we will be happy to schedule a thorough home inspection for you.

​Most manufacturers will admit that they are always looking for new ways to improve their products.  Drywall manufacturers are no different.  Take paperless drywall, how does it compare to regular drywall? Is it a better product? Let’s look at what paperless drywall is and the pros and cons of using it.
 
Regular drywall has a gypsum core covered in a very thick paper.  Paperless drywall uses fiberglass as its covering instead of paper.  There are some advantages to using paperless drywall.  For example, the fiberglass is more resistant to water and damp, even the gypsum core in paperless drywall is water resistant, this gives the drywall a lot more protection against mold which makes it ideal to use in higher moisture areas such as bathrooms.  Also, due to its fiberglass covering, this type of drywall is stronger and less likely to damage easily.
 
So, what can we say of the disadvantages to paperless drywall? One of the greatest disadvantages is that it is more difficult to install than regular drywall and it is harder to achieve a smooth looking finish.  Also, paperless drywall may not be as readily available as regular drywall and will be more expensive.  Another problem could be that due to the fiberglass covering, installing it could cause some irritation to the skin. 
 
As we can see, then, paperless drywall is good for use in high moisture areas, but it may be more difficult to find and install. 

​As home inspectors we perform our inspections very carefully and thoroughly, however, some areas of a home require us to take extra precautionary measures.  A under house crawlspace is one such area.  The reasons for caution are obvious when we think about the kind of area it is.  A dark, damp environment combined with the fact that the area goes largely undisturbed makes it an ideal place for all sorts of hazardous conditions.  What are some of the things you might find down there?
 
Standing water or even sewage is something that you will possibly encounter in a under home crawlspace.  Mold and fungus are also most likely to be found under there as the conditions are just right for it. 
 
Another very common danger and something most people think about if they have to enter a under house crawlspace are insects and vermin.  The environment is ideal for many different creatures, some of which could be poisonous or dangerous if they are feeling threatened.  This problem could be made even worse by the lack of space down there which would make a hasty retreat hard to do. 
 
Structural problems with the house could also make entering a under house crawlspace particularly dangerous.  If you suspect that the home has issues like this then its best to have a professional look at the home.  If it becomes necessary that you have to go down there, take every precaution necessary and make sure someone knows where you are and can raise the alarm should you become stuck. 
 
As we can see, all the things mentioned here are potential hazards to be aware of.  If you must enter a crawlspace, be sure to wear all the appropriate protective clothing and equipment so that you will keep yourself safe and protected.  Its better to be prepared for whatever is lurking down there.

​With 2019 just around the corner, perhaps you’re thinking about your plans for this coming year.  Is moving to a new house part of those plans? Buying a home can be an extremely stressful process and we’re sure its already occupied a lot of thinking time, especially if you are buying for the first time.  As you are probably aware by now, when you do find that perfect home, it will need to have a home inspection carried out on it to make sure it doesn’t have any hidden issues.  With that in mind, we thought it would be good to show you just how thorough our home inspections are.
 
This month we have a video designed to help you understand a little more about the home inspection process and what types of things we will inspect.  You will see that our home inspections are very detailed.  If you would like to discuss what to expect from your home inspections in more detail, please feel free to contact us.
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​Many homeowners have trees on their property.  They can be a beautiful addition to any yard but what if they are situated too close to your property? Could they cause any problems and, if so, what type of problems could you encounter?
 
There are a number of issues that could arise if a tree is too close to your home.  A big problem is the risk of branches and tree limbs falling onto the homes roof and power or communication lines.  Branches could even fall and injure someone.  This risk is increased if the tree is very old.  A tree situated close to a home would also enable rodents and insects’ better access into the house.  You could also experience clogged gutters and drains from a build up of leaves and branches which, if left untreated, could cause other structural issues.  In areas at risk of wildfire, a tree too close to a building could pose a very dangerous fire risk.
 
Many homeowners worry that a trees roots could damage the homes foundations.  If there are cracks already existing in the building’s foundation, roots can start to make their way in and, if the roots are large enough, they could even grow under the foundations causing them to lift.
 
As we can see, there are certain risks associated with having trees positioned too close to a home.  It’s a good idea to have the trees checked regularly to make sure they are still healthy as an unhealthy or dying tree would pose an even greater risk.   If this is the case, it may be best to remove the tree and eliminate the risk.

​Fixing up an old home can be a rewarding project, to do it well, however, much care and thought needs to go into it.  What are some retrofit mistakes to be aware of that could completely ruin the look and character of an older home?
 
Before you embark on this sort of project, make sure you have all the permits etc. that you might need for the work.  This is important if the building is very old as you may need to check with your local historical committee for any restrictions as to the type of work you can do on it.
 
Older homes were made with durable, solid materials.  When doing repair work, make sure you consider these materials and try not to replace them with less durable ones like plywood or plastic.  Areas that often need repairing or even replacing are windows and doors.  You could ruin the look of the home if you replace these with modern options.
 
Modern materials and even techniques could have a negative impact on the original construction materials of the home.  For example, if you try waterproofing old brick and masonry, you could actually cause it to deteriorate.  This could happen with fire retardants and insulation also.
 
Other issues that will likely come up with an old home are toxic substances found in old building materials such as asbestos and lead.  This is an area where you should call in professionals to take care of them and remove them safely.  
 
In review, while this is only a few of the potential mistakes that can be made with a retrofit, the point is to carefully research the best way of fixing up this kind of property, without losing its old charm and character.

​Water, as we are well aware, is a vital part of our life.  Having a steady supply of water that is safe and reliable, then, is crucial, but how much do we actually know about our household’s water supply?  Do we even know what source it comes from? Considering how important it is to our health, it’s worth finding out.
 
As to the source of your households’ water, that really depends on where you live, whether you live in a rural location or a more densely populated area such as a city or large town.  For those living in highly populated areas, the most likely source of water is a reservoir.  This could be located some miles away and is referred to as a “surface” water source.
 
What about if you live in a more rural location?  Your water supply would most probably be from a well which is filled by an underground reservoir, or aquifer. 
 
How can you tell if this water is safe?  A lot depends not just on the water itself but also the surrounding land and what it is being used for.  For example, is it used for industrial purposes or is it farmland?  The term used when referring to the surrounding land is “the water shed”.
 
While you may find this information useful, perhaps your wondering how you can find out about the water source for your specific location.  It is possible to find out about your areas water supply by contacting your water supply company.  Since 1999, suppliers of community water are required to have this information available to its consumers by providing an annual report.  In this report you will find information on where the water comes from and also what kinds of contaminates might have been found in it.  In this way, you will be able to make informed choices for you and your household.

​If you have recently moved into your new home, you will likely be recovering from the whole stressful process.  We are aware it takes some time to settle into your new home and unpack, but after that, what comes next for the maintenance of the home?  Before buying the house, you will have had a thorough home inspection performed on it, so maybe you feel there is no need to worry about it for a while.
 
The following video will help you to have a better idea of what types of home maintenance you will want to start thinking about.  Getting into a good routine straight away will help to prevent bigger maintenance jobs in the future.  If you would like more advice on this or any home inspection question, please feel free to contact us.
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​Who doesn’t love summer time, relaxing by the pool.  Children in particular are happy to spend hours swimming and playing in the pool.  However, if you have a swimming pool in your backyard, how can you ensure the safety of any children who will be using it?  
 
Too many small children perish each year from drowning.  Those at greatest risk are children under 5yrs of age.  Why? Because a child can drown so quickly, in any body of water and usually silently.  This means a child could have drowned before anyone realizes they are even missing.  So, what are some safety measures that must be taken to protect children?
 
Pool barriers are an important safety factor if you have a swimming pool on your property.  Whether it’s some kind of fence or wall, a pool barrier must meet specific guidelines provided for pool barriers.  They must be of adequate height to prevent a child from climbing over.  If the barrier is a fence, there should be the correct amount of spacing so as to prevent a small child from squeezing through and it should not be possible for a child to be able to get under it.
 
Even in the case of above ground pools, hot tubs and spas, there must be some safety measure in place to prevent a child accessing the water when no one is around.
 
If the walls of the home act as the pool barrier, make sure any doors that have direct access to the pool are fitted with an alarm that will sound when the doors are opened.  It is best for the alarm sound to be distinguishable from any other sound heard in the house and loud enough to be heard throughout the home.  In this way it will be easy to detect when someone has opened the doors.
 
We know you’ll agree that nothing is more important than a child’s safety and by following the regulations for pool barriers you will help protect your precious family members.

​Do you need to have some work done on your home?  Perhaps you are looking to hire someone for the job but are worried about whether or not they will be honest.  How can you find a trades person that is trustworthy?  Here are a few tips on what to look for in an honest worker:
 
While you may need to pay a small deposit for the work up front, you should not be asked to pay for the whole job or even a large deposit before the work has even started.
 
The job should be the same price whether you live in a wealthy neighborhood or a not so wealthy neighborhood.  Sometimes people living in wealthier areas are quoted a higher price than others.  If you are calling around for quotes, try to avoid giving out your address before you get the price.
 
Be wary of being charged for “unforeseen extras” with a job.  The best thing to do is to get a fixed price ahead of time for the whole job and have it all written down in a contract.
 
An honest tradesperson will not mind producing their credentials.  You want to make sure the person is qualified and insured for the job you are hiring them to do.
 
Scam artists like to prey on those most vulnerable, such as elderly ones.  Be careful of tradespeople who are too pushy and try to convince you to have the work done there and then.  Ask them for their address and ask for details about their previous jobs and the locations of these.  If the person is honest, they will have no problem giving the information you require and will not try to get you to make a decision about the job straight away.
 
You can find good, honest workers out there and by following some of these suggestions, you can avoid those who are not so honest.