A home inspection contains information on almost all parts of a property. In some cases, however, you may want to do separate inspections that cover radon, pest, mold, and foundation problems. A standard home inspection gives you a detailed report of the house you want to buy, but it doesn’t tell you everything.

Depending on the age, location, and condition of the home you are considering, you may need to do additional inspections. Radon tests, termite inspections, mold inspections, and foundation inspections are among the most common types of specialty home inspections.

Find out what a home inspection is and why your inspector may recommend or want one of these different inspections.

What is included in a home inspection?

Home inspectors generally perform a visual inspection of all parts of the property that are easily accessible. This leaves out anything that is not easy to see (or even visible), such as B. Some types of pest infestation, as well as hard to reach areas safely (think of wells and indoors chimneys).

Parts of the home that are typically included in a home inspection:

• Structural components (floors, walls, ceilings, stairs).
• Exterior parts (cladding, attached covers, verandas).
• Ceiling.
• Installation.
• Heating and air conditioning.
• Large appliances.
• Ventilation.
• Isolation.
• Wood fireplaces and stoves.
• Windows and doors.       

Different types of home inspections.

Depending on what you find, your home inspector may suggest some of these additional inspections. You can also recommend that an identified dealer assess the identified problems (for example, when an electrician examines faulty wiring).

Radon test

Radon is a colorless and odorless gas created by the progressive decomposition of radioactive elements on Earth. It’s also released from well water, building materials, and soil and can also enter in your home through cracks. After smoking, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after being smoked by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is everywhere: according to the EPA, about 1 in 15 homes has high radon levels.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE UNITED STATES

Long-term radon testing (more than 90 days) is generally recommended. But if you are trying to close a house, you don’t have the luxury of waiting three months. What can you do?

Ask the seller first if they have already received the radon test results. If so, these results can give you a point of comparison. In all cases, a new test can be carried out at short notice. A professional radon inspector can report the results within days of the end of a 48-hour test. Alternatively, you can use a commercial kit to test radon levels yourself. However, you must send the device to a laboratory and wait until the results are available.

If the test results are high or you are unsure about the DIY tests, contact the National Radon Competition Program or the National Radon Safety Board to find a professional. The EPA accepts both groups’ certification programs, which is useful since not all states license radon inspectors. Professional radon testing costs an average of a few hundred dollars.

Wood Destruction Organization Inspection (WDO)

An inspection of wood-destroying organisms is more commonly known as a termite inspection and ensures that your future home will no longer have six-legged tenants. Termites, wood beetles, and carpenter ants are among the most troubling culprits, although WDO inspectors are also looking for dry rot caused by fungi.

Many states require a WDO inspection to close a house, and another may be required outside of those states, cities, or counties. If you are using a VA or FHA loan, a WDO inspection may be required regardless of location.

During a WDO inspection, the inspector looks for signs of active infestation (wings of dandruff termites), signs of previous infestation (softwood), and possible problem areas (cracks or gaps in which the pests could enter ). You will receive a report with detailed results and suggestions for resolving any problems that may arise.