4-Point Inspection

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4-Point inspection in Santa Clara County

What is a 4-Point inspection and why do I need one?

A 4-point inspection is a limited type of home inspection that focuses on four key systems in your home.  Insurance companies may request this type of inspection to offer you a home insurance policy or renew an existing policy.  These systems include:

  1. Roof: The inspector evaluates the condition, age, and type of roofing material to determine its integrity and potential risk for leaks or damage.
  2. Plumbing: This part of the inspection examines the condition of the plumbing system, including pipes, fixtures, water heater, and connections. The inspector looks for signs of leaks, corrosion, and overall functionality.
  3. Electrical: Inspectors assess the electrical system, including the wiring, panels, outlets, and switches. They check for any outdated or unsafe components, potential fire hazards, and any other deficiencies in the system.
  4. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): The HVAC inspection focuses on the heating and cooling systems, including the furnace, air conditioning unit, ductwork, and ventilation. Inspectors verify proper operation, maintenance, and safety measures.

Proper installation, operation, and maintenance of these systems is very important for the safety and longevity of a home.  These systems may be expensive to replace or cause a lot or damage to the home if not properly installed and maintained.  Insurance companies request these components to be inspected so they can determine what condition they are in.  They may adjust premiums accordingly.  Your insurance carrier may not insure you without a 4-Point inspection.

This inspection is a scaled down version of a full home inspection and generally takes around an hour and a half.  If you live in Santa Clara County or the surrounding areas and your insurance company requests a 4-Point inspection, give us a call.  We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.  Thanks for stopping by!

How Bad is Mold in Your Home?

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Mold inspection Santa Clara County

Mold in Your Home: Understanding the Risks and Solutions

Mold in your home is not just a cosmetic issue; it can pose serious health risks and structural problems within your home. While a little mold in the shower grout might seem harmless, the truth is, mold can thrive in various areas of your home, including walls, ceilings, and even hidden spaces like behind drywall or under carpets. The presence of mold indicates excess moisture, which not only creates an unsightly environment but also serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and allergens.

One of the primary concerns with mold is its impact on health. Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and in some cases, even more severe health complications, particularly in individuals with existing respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems. Prolonged exposure to mold can lead to symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, skin irritation, headaches, and fatigue. Moreover, certain types of mold, such as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), produce mycotoxins that can be harmful when inhaled or ingested.

Beyond health concerns, mold can also compromise the structural integrity of your home. Mold growth can weaken wood, drywall, and other building materials, potentially leading to structural damage over time. Additionally, mold can cause staining, warping, and deterioration of surfaces, which may necessitate costly repairs or renovations. Moreover, if left unchecked, mold can spread rapidly throughout your home, making remediation efforts more challenging and expensive.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address mold issues in your home. Proper ventilation, controlling indoor humidity levels, promptly addressing water leaks or moisture buildup, and regular inspection and cleaning of susceptible areas can help prevent mold growth. In cases where mold is already present, professional mold remediation may be necessary to safely and effectively remove the mold and prevent its recurrence. By understanding the risks associated with mold and taking proactive measures to mitigate them, you can ensure a healthier and safer living environment for you and your family.

If you find mold in your home in Santa Clara County or have any concerns, we can help answer your questions.  Give us a call for a free consultation.

11th Month Warranty Inspection

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11th Month Warranty Inspection in San Jose

What is an 11th Month Warranty Inspection?

Are you wondering how an 11th month warranty inspection can help you?  Let me break it down…

When you buy a new home or have one built, the builder typically provides a warranty that covers any structural issues or defects that may arise within the first year.  This warranty is great because it gives you some peace of mind knowing that any problems that pop up will be taken care of by the builder.

Now, here’s where the 11th month warranty inspection comes into play. As the name suggests, it’s an inspection conducted around the eleventh month of your warranty period. The purpose of this inspection is to identify any issues that may have gone unnoticed during the construction process or those that have developed over time.  A professional home inspector will thoroughly evaluate various aspects of your home, such as the foundation, roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, and everything in between.  I’ll look for any signs of wear and tear or potential problems that could arise in the future.

You’ll receive a detailed report detailing any issues that were discovered once the inspection is complete. You can then approach your builder to have any issues resolved before your warranty expires.  It’s like getting a final check-up for your home before the builder’s responsibility officially ends.  An 11th month warranty inspection is a fantastic opportunity for you to ensure that your new home is in tip-top shape and that any potential problems are caught early. It’s like an extra layer of protection for your investment, giving you peace of mind for years to come.

If your warranty is about to end, an 11th month warranty inspection may be right for you. After all, it’s always better to be proactive instead of waiting for surprises down the line.

I hope this clears things up for you! If you have any more questions or would like to schedule an 11th Month Warranty Inspection, give us a call or schedule easily online.  Wishing you a worry-free home owning experience!

What is a TPR Valve?

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TPR Valve - Home Inspection Report in San Jose, CA

What is a TPR Valve?

TPR stands for Temperature Pressure Relief.  This valve is a small, inexpensive device that is a very important safety feature for Water Heaters.  If the hot water tank experiences excessive pressure build-up, a TPR Valve can allow the release of this pressure.  Without it, your water heater can explode and cause potentially extreme damage to your home. Anyone within close vicinity to the water heater can be seriously injured or killed.   The MythBusters clearly show what an exploding Water Heater looks like in their Video .

The TPR Valve releases scalding hot water and steam.   An extension pipe is required to be attached to the valve to direct hot water towards the floor and terminate no more than 6 inches above the floor.  This pipe is commonly omitted and it’s a common defect us Home Inspectors include in our reports.  This is a serious safety defect but very easy to have installed if your water heater is missing this extension pipe.

How Do I Have Mine Tested?

Overtime, these valves can stop working properly so its recommend to have them tested by a licensed plumber.  You can perform the test yourself but if it starts leaking after testing it, you’ll need to have it replaced anyway.

Your Home Inspection Report may notate a problem with your TPR Valve or extension pipe.  It will probably be listed as a serious defect, but rest assured that it is fairly easy to remedy.

Make sure to hire a professional Home Inspector for your next inspection to spot any safety issues with your Water Heater.  If you’re looking for a knowledgeable inspector in the Los Gatos, CA area, Call/Text/Email us or schedule online 24/7 from our Schedule Your Inspection page.

 

Thanks for reading!

David @ Sneak Peak Inspection

 

 

GFCI Outlets – What are they and why do I need them?

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Bay Area GFCI Outlet

 

GFCI Outlets – What’s all the fuss about?

I’ll explain what GFCI outlets do and why they’re so important.

Where

GFCI outlets are required in all the areas around water in your home.  These areas include the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry area, outdoors, garage, and around pools, spas, and other water features.

Why

Electricity can be dangerous, especially when your hands are wet or there is water on the floor/ground.  If you come into contact with electricity in these situations, you can get severely shocked or electrocuted.  It takes very little electricity to stop your heart.

How

If this happens, a working GFCI will stop the flow of electricity before you can get hurt.  That is why it is so important to make sure they’re working by testing them regularly.  You don’t need a fancy tester like home inspectors use. All GFCI outlets have a “Test” and “Reset” button.  We recommend testing them monthly.  GFCI’s are designed to provide additional protection for non-GFCI outlets downstream on the same circuit.  So, let’s say you have 5 outlets in your kitchen on the same circuit, you only need 1 GFCI to protect them all.

One thing to note: do not paint a GFCI outlet!  Painting an outlet seals the buttons and it will no longer trip.  Hardware supply stores sell GFCI outlets in several colors so you don’t have to paint them.

Older Home Wiring

One additional use for a GFCI outlet is when replacing an ungrounded 2 prong outlet.  If adding a ground to an outlet in an old house is not feasible, this is an acceptable option for shock protection.  Without a ground, a person can become the ground which could also cause electrocution.  The GFCI will protect someone from getting shocked but the downside is that it does not provide an equipment ground for electrical devices that require them.  Also, a surge protector needs a ground to work properly and a GFCI does not replace an actual ground.

 

I hope this gives some insight into the importance of having properly installed and working GFCI’s in your home.  If you’re unsure of how to test your GFCI’s, give us a call and we’ll help you out.  If you live in the Los Gatos, CA area and need to replace any non-functional GFCI outlets, you can call Handy Dave and he’ll be happy to help you out.  Dave wrote a great article on the importance of GFCI outlets.  Thanks for reading and have a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Info

(408) 585-9292

david@sneakpeakinspection.com

(408) 585-9292

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Sneak Peak Home Inspection LLC provides Residential Home Inspections, Roof Inspections, and Pool & Spa Inspections in Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounding areas.

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