In the process of searching for a new home in Colorado? Though many opt to waive home inspections in a competitive market, having more information about the state of a potential home helps you make better decisions.
After all, a new home is a long-term investment. A home inspection is a valuable tool … but it doesn’t tell you everything about the property. Home inspections are even helpful for folks who have already purchased a home but want information on possible issues and maintenance needs.
Many people also want to know if their house has dangerous or toxic materials, like lead or asbestos. However, a regular home inspection won’t test for asbestos. Find out what is included in a home inspection below.
What is Included in a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are kind of like the physical you get at a doctors office. You get a high-level test of all the major systems in your body and bloodwork gets sent out for some information about what’s going on inside.
Home inspections are much the same — an inspector will assess your property, and test your major systems to see if there’s underlying issues. This includes:
Exterior: This includes your roof, foundation, and structural components. Cracks, sagging, unlevel surfaces, and stains can all indicate to a professional inspector to dig deeper or get a specialized pro in for more detail.
Interior: This includes windows, doors, ceiling, stairs, and any finished interior spaces. An inspector will assess these for irregularities.
Unfinished spaces: Areas like the attic, basement or crawlspace, and garage will also be evaluated.
HVAC: Your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems will be inspected and tested to ensure they are in safe working condition.
Plumbing: An inspector will assess your plumbing, shut-off valves, water supply, toilets, sinks, and other plumbing, water, and sewage systems to see if your systems are up-to-date and in good condition. Lead pipes can be a common concern — while an inspector can let you know if your pipes appear outdated, they cannot provide specific details about whether the pipes contain lead.
Electrical: Inspectors will assess the visible electrical components of your home, making sure all outlets work and are up to current code, panels and switchboards are set up correctly, and smoke alarms are current and working properly.
Inspectors will then deliver a written report with their findings. As the homeowner or buyer, you will then need to make plans to have work done if necessary, or negotiate with sellers to have costs covered.
Do Home Inspectors Test for Asbestos?
Home inspections do not test for asbestos. Asbestos tests are strictly regulated in Colorado, and must be done by a professional.
Abatement companies can inspect onsite and send samples of any suspicious materials out for further testing. Some companies have their own labs, others work with a partner to get results of testing — either method will get you the results you need.
For clients in need of asbestos abatement, we offer comprehensive services that eliminate hazards and securely remove all asbestos from your home.
What is an Asbestos Inspection?
Asbestos inspections are a specific test that are required in Colorado before any work that disturbs building materials is started.
This protects homeowners from accidentally disturbing the fragile fibers of asbestos. Since asbestos poses a low risk when it’s intact and undisturbed, it’s important to inspect it before you start a project.
Do Sellers Have to Disclose Asbestos?
In some states, home sellers are not required to disclose asbestos in their home. Luckily, in Colorado, sellers and landlords do need to disclose the presence of known asbestos. This means that before you buy a home, you’ll have a better idea of what lies beneath the floorboards.
However, it’s still a good idea to have an inspection and a test if your home was built between 1930-1970, when asbestos was still commonly used. Sellers are only required to disclose known asbestos — so if they never tested, they wouldn’t be able to disclose anything.
Asbestos Abatement in Colorado
At Mile High Environmental Services, we offer premier asbestos removal services across all of Colorado, for apartments, homes, industrial facilities, military bases, schools, universities, and open-air projects as well.
In addition, we tackle mold remediations and lead paint removal to ensure your environment is safe, comfortable, and healthy for your whole family.
To learn more about what we do, get in touch for a free estimate.
