Homewerx Home Inspection Blog

Now Offering Arizona Disclosure Reports to Sellers, Buyers & Real Estate Agents!

ATTENTION: REALTORS, SELLERS & BUYERS!

Beginning September 25^th, Homewerx Home Inspections will be offering Arizona Disclosure Reports.  Under a new Arizona law (H.B. 2779) effective September 21^st, sellers and listing agents can greatly reduce their liability for disclosures by obtaining a "disclosure report" prepared by a third-party provider.  To qualify, the disclosure report must must be based on officially adopted governmental maps, and must include disclosures on the following 9 conditions:

1. Special Flood Hazard Areas
2. Military Airports or Ancillary Military Facilities
3. Military Training Routes
4. Public or Private Airports
5. Expansive Soils
6. Soils Subject to Fissures
7. Special Tax Assessment Areas
8. Radon Gas Potential Zones
9. Environmental Hazard Superfund Sites

While it is not mandatory, it is recommended that all sellers provide these reports to their buyers.  However, disclosure reports are also available to buyers if the seller or builder does not provide one.

It's important to understand that the Arizona Disclosure Report does NOT replace the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) or other disclosures the seller is required to make!  However, the new Arizona Disclosure Report contains information in 9 areas that sellers don't usually know much about.  The new law basically says that if they obtain one of the new third-party disclosure reports, sellers & their agents will not be held liable for errors or ommissions in the disclosure report, unless they know the report to be incorrect and fail to disclose the correct information.  In other words, the liability for the disclosure of those items is shifted from the seller/agent to the third-party provider of the disclosure report.

EDR-Certified!!!   Arizona Disclosure Reports are available for as little as $89.00, so there's no reason to assume unnecessary liability when selling or listing a home!

Arizona Disclosure Report - $89.00 (Available in Maricopa & Pima County only)
(Sample AZ Disclosure Report)
This report discloses whether any of the 9 conditions listed above are known to be present within 300 feet of the property.  This report meets the minimum requirements of Arizona's new disclosure law.

Neighborhood Environmental Report - $129.00  (Available in all AZ counties!)
(Sample Neighborhood Environmental Report)
If you order the Neighborhood Environmental Report, you will receive BOTH the Arizona Disclosure Report and the Neighborhood Environmental Report.  In addition to disclosing whether any of the 9 conditions listed above are known to be present within 300 feet of the property, this report covers a much broader geographical area and also discloses known/potential contamination sites beyond 300 feet. Certain hazards are disclosed in this report if they're within a mile of the property (see distances below). This report also contains additional information that the Arizona Disclosure Report does NOT contain, such as whether there are any known meth labs in the area.  Below is a list of the types of known/potential contamination sites disclosed in the Neighborhood Environmental Report:
1.  Leaking underground tanks (within 1/2 mile)
2.  Landfills (within 1/2 mile)
3.  EPA Final Superfund sites (within 1 mile)
4.  Water Quality Assurance Revolving Priority Fund Sites (within 1 mile)
5.  EPA Proposed Superfund Sites (CERCLIS) (within 1/2 mile)
6.  Arizona Superfund Program Sites (within 1 mile)
7.  State Hazardous Waste Sites (within 1 mile)
8.  Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage & Disposal Sites (within 1/2 mile)
9.  Clandestine Drug Lab Sites (within 1/8 mile)
10. CDC Environmental Health Assessments (within 1/4 mile)
11.  Active Department of Defense Sites (within 1/4 mile)
12.  Former Department of Defense Sites (within 1/4 mile)
13.  Manufactured Gas Plants (within 1/4 mile)
14.  Radioactive Material Activity Sites (within 1/4 mile)

Commercial Disclosure Reports also available - Please call for pricing and other details.

For more information on the new law, read this article, "New Arizona Disclosure Reports Reduce Seller & Agent Liability".

Call today!

(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE:  1-888-THE-WERX

Or Order Online!

NOTE:  Homewerx Home Inspections offers Arizona Disclosure Reports and Neighborhood Environmental Reports in cooperation with third-party provider, Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR), a national provider of environmental information.

Homeowners Need Inspections Too!

Even when you are not buying or selling a home, you can still benefit from a home inspection in a variety of ways:

• Warranty Inspections - for new homes, before the 1 or 2 year warranty expires
• Annual Home Maintenance Inspections - to find problems early, minimizing repair costs
• Home Energy Tune-uPs - for homeowners who want to save energy
• Termite Inspections - should be performed regularly in Arizona
• Roof Inspections - annually or if you suspect a problem
• Pool & Spa Inspections - annually or if you suspect a problem
• Sewer Inspections - using a video camera, usually to diagnose a problem
• Air Duct Inspections - using a video camera, usually to diagnose a problem
• Radon Testing - when buying or if you suspect a problem
• Lead-based Paint Testing - usually for homes built prior to 1978
• Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality - when buying or if you suspect a problem
• Water Quality Testing - when buying or if you suspect a problem
• Special Inspections - if you just have a specific problem or concern
• Expert Witness Services - for legal issues with builders, contractors, insurance companies, warranty companies and other parties

We also inspect rental properties:

• Landlord and Investor Inspections - performed regularly while tenants are living in your property
• Renter Inspections - to help renters document existing damage and defects before moving into a rental property

We even do Commercial Inspections!

• Offices
• Retail space
• Apartment complexes
• Other commercial properties

So remember, home inspections are not just for buyers!  The longer you have owned your home or plan to own your home, the more important it is to have regular inspections in order to properly maintain your home and avoid costly repairs.

Call for an inspection today!

(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE:  1-888-THE-WERX

Or Schedule Online!

Why Do I Need a Home Inspection?

There are many reasons one might need a home inspection:

• Before you buy a home
• Before you sell a home
• While you're building a new home
• Before your new home warranty expires
• When you have a specific problem that needs investigating such as your roof, sewer or plumbing system, air ducts and ventilation, pool or spa, etc.
• To improve energy efficiency and save money on utility bills
• When your builder won't seem to honor their warranty
• Periodically to catch problems early and maintain your home's value
• To look for termite activity
• For environmental testing, such as lead-based paint, water quality, radon, mold & indoor air quality

Call today!

(480) 503-2611
or 1-888-THE-WERX

or Schedule Online!

Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

Mitigating High Radon Levels

There are many methods that can be employed to reduce radon levels should your home test above the EPA's action level of 4 piccocurries per liter of air (pCi/L).  Those methods can include crawl space ventilation, vapor barriers and sub-slab depressurization systems to name a few.  The method used (and the costs involved) will be determined by the radon level and the type of construction of the house.  Please remember that all houses are different and the approach used to reduce radon levels should be determined by the specific conditions of the house.

The most common type of construction we see in the Phoenix area is slab on grade foundations.  However, some of the older homes and manufactured homes in the valley have crawl spaces.  Some slab on grade houses have the return air ducts for the HVAC system located beneath the slab floor and can be an entry point for radon.  A house with below slab return ducts will most likely require a different approach to radon mitigation then a house without these ducts.  High vacuum pressures can be generated in below slab ducts that can result in radon laden soil gasses being drawn in and circulated throughout the home by the heating and cooling system.  For more information on mitigating radon in houses with below slab ducts visit the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency.

However, for most slab on grade homes, a soil depressurization system will be used.  This type of system consists of 4 inch piping and a ventilation fan (see pictures above).  The pipe penetrates the concrete floor and is exposed to the soil beneath the house.  A depressurization fan installed in the vent pipe creates a vacuum and draws the radon into the venting system.  This pipe is then routed above the roof line where radon gasses can be safely vented.  This type of system can be contained inside the wall structures of the house or installed on the exterior of the house.

As with any mitigation system, it is recommended that a qualified contractor be consulted and radon testing be conducted before and after the installation of any product to insure that radon levels have been reduced.

If you are in need of a radon test, give us a call at:

(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX

Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

Construction still in progress!

We are still working on this blog so we're sorry in advance for anything that may seem confusing or features that are not yet working!  Many feature are working, however, so take a look around...you will find useful, interesting information about your home. 

Thanks for visiting and be sure to come back soon!

EPA Says 1 in 15 U.S. Homes has Radon Problem

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It is created naturally by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.  Radon typically gets trapped inside your home by moving up through the ground to the air above, then into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.  Radon can also get into the home through well water.  Once inside your home, it becomes part of the air you breathe or the water you drink.  Depending on ventilation and other conditions inside your home, the radon concentration may pose a serious health risk to your family. Radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless so the only way to know your home's radon level is to test for it.

Most people feel safe when they are at home and don't worry about getting radiation exposure from their house.  But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, home is where you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure because it's where you spend most of your time.  In fact, the EPA estimates that radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.  This makes radon the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today, second only to smoking.  And if you smoke plus have high radon levels in your home, your risk of lung cancer is extra high.

The EPA says one out of every fifteen U.S. homes has an elevated level of radon (4 pCi/L or more).  Furthermore, radon can be a problem in any home - new house or old, well-sealed or drafty, basement or no basement and regardless of the home's geographical location.  It's not possible to predict radon levels based on state or local radon measurements, nor can you rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood.

If your home's radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, the EPA recommends that steps be taken to reduce the radon level.  Radon mitigation contractors may use a variety of techniques to reduce your radon level.  Sealing cracks and other penetrations in the foundation may be part of the solution, but sealing cracks alone is not enough.  A system of vent pipes and fans may be installed in the crawl space or another location in your home, creating a "sub-slab depressurization system".  This system draws the radon gas through the vent pipes, preventing it from entering the home from below the concrete floor or outside the foundation.  Radon mitigation contractors may also use other methods depending on the design of your home and other factors.  While it sounds complicated and intrusive, these systems generally do not require major changes to your home, and repairs can usually be accomplished for around $800-$2500.  Even in homes where the radon level is less than 4 pCi/L, radon may still pose a risk and in many cases, can be reduced.

While radon cannot be eliminated, the radon level in your home can be minimized.  Testing for radon is the first step.  The EPA recommends a radon test for anybody that is buying, selling or building a home.  The EPA also recommends testing your home after any major renovations, or if you change your living patterns (i.e. you begin occupying a basement level that was previously not used much).  You should also re-test your home after having radon mitigation features installed to be sure that radon levels have been reduced.

A Radon Test costs:

• $200 by itself, or
• $150 if done in conjunction with a home inspection or other service.

For more information or to schedule a radon test for your home, CALL HOMEWERX HOME INSPECTIONS TODAY!

(480) 503-2611
or Toll Free 1-888-THE-WERX

or you can schedule online!

....because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

Ask the Home Inspector

If you have a question relating to home inspections, you may ask it by using the 'Comments' below.  Keep in mind that anything you post in the 'Comments' will become a permanent part of this blog.  If you have a more personal question that you do not want published, you may email me your question instead.

Your question will be answered within 48 hours.  If you email your question, the answer will be emailed to you.  If you post your question in the Comments, the answer will be posted in the Comments.  Please understand that I cannot always answer your question definitively without actually seeing and inspecting the condition you are asking about, but I will do my best!

You are always welcome to call my office with any questions or concerns.  My contact information is below.  Have a great day, and remember...an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

Scott Hubbard Certified Home Inspector, ASHI Member Homewerx Home Inspections Office: (480) 503-2611 Toll Free: 1-888-THE-WERX Email me

Homewerx At a Glance - Home Inspections, Termite Reports**, Environmental Testing & More!

WE CAN NOW TAKE CARE OF BOTH YOUR HOME INSPECTION & TERMITE REPORT!**

• Inspections 7 Days a Week, Valleywide
• State Certified, ASHI® Standards
• Fully Insured Including E&O, General Liability & Workmans Comp
• Reports Can Be E-mailed
• Lockbox Access
• Online Scheduling
• 5-Day Scheduling Guarantee*
• Low Price Guarantee* 
• Promise of Quality*
• All Inspectors are ASHI® Members or Candidates
• VISA & MasterCard Gladly Accepted
• Comprehensive, Easy-to-Read Reports with Color Photos
• Walk Through with Inspector and Ask Questions
• Get Your Termite Report** & Home Inspection with one appointment, and just one payment!
• Courteous, Knowledgeable Staff
• Highest Ethical Standards
• Latest Technology
• Full Service Inspection Company
• Family-owned and operated since 1999

We offer the following services VALLEYWIDE, 7 days a week:

• Pre-Purchase Inspection
• Pre-Sale Inspection
• Arizona Disclosure Reports
• Neighborhood Environmental Reports
• Construction Inspection
• Warranty Inspection
• Home Maintenance Inspection
• Special Inspection
• Home Energy Tune-uP®
• Commercial Inspection
• Termite Inspection
• Roof Inspection
• Pool & Spa Inspection
• Sewer Inspection
• Air Duct Inspection
• Radon Testing
• Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality
• Water Testing
• Lead-Based Paint Testing
• Expert Witness Service

(480) 503-2611
or 1-888-THE-WERX

You can even SCHEDULE YOUR INSPECTION ONLINE!

Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

          

* 5-day Scheduling Guarantee means 5 business days.  All offers, promotions and guarantees available in Phoenix-metro area only, and other restrictions apply.  Call for complete details.

** Termite Inspections are scheduled by Homewerx, Inc. at the same time as your home inspection, but Termite Inspections are performed by Canyon State Termite & Pest Control LLC.  Only one appointment and one payment required!