Welcome Home Inspections Blog
March 9, 2010 -  New Home Inspections 
 
Welcome Home Inspections has performed many home inspections on new homes in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc and surrounding areas.  At the same time, many people incorrectly assume that an inspection is not necessary on a newer home.  However, from experience, this is defintely not the case.  Many new homes have more problems than a well maintained older home.
 
Problems I routinely find on new homes include improperly/unsafely constructed decks and stairs, missing flashing that can lead to moisture intrusion and structural damage, significant insulation deficiencies, etc.
 
So, should you have your new home inspected by a professional home inspector?  Absolutely.  We have many extremely happy clients that can attest to this fact.
 
January 19, 2010 -  Ice Dams 
 
Ice dams can cause major problems on some houses in the winter.  An ice dam is the formation of a large mass of ice at the lower portion of the roof or in the gutters.  If there is a large amount of snow on the roof and it begins to melt, water runs down the roof and gets trapped by the ice dam which can cause the water to back up under the shingles and into the attic or house.  This can cause serious moisture damage to the house and is a problem that needs to be remedied.
 
To learn more about Ice Dams, Attic Venting, and Attic Moisture I highly recommend reading the following article from the CMHC:
 
 
December 15, 2009 - Energy (Heat) Loss 
 
Are you experiencing high energy costs and uncomfortable areas in your home now that we've been through a few weeks of cold weather?  If so, you are not alone.  We have been receiving an increasing number of calls for our Infrared Thermal Imaging Services from people trying to find out where the heat loss is occurring in their homes.
 
Even if your house is brand new you may be losing significant amounts of money in the form of high energy bills due to unnecessary heat loss.  It is not uncommon to find missing or lacking insulation throughout houses (even new ones) with our Infrared Thermal Imaging equipment.
 
If you are suffering from high energy bills or have areas in your home that are cold and uncomfortable, we can help you to determine where the heat loss is occurring.  With this knowledge, you can take the appropriate steps to correct the problems to increase your comfort and save yourself money.
 
October 16, 2009 - Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI)
 
Welcome Home Inspections is one of the few inspection companies in Alberta offering Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI) services to our clients.  ITI is a powerful technology that can see temperature variations on surfaces.  Using this technology, a trained thermographer can detect hidden moisture, insulation problems, overheating electrical circuits or breakers, air leaks in ducting, and more.  ITI allows Welcome Home Inspections to see far more than other inspectors.  Our powerful Infrared Thermal Imaging camera makes defects that are invisible to others, visible to us.
 
June 25, 2009 -  Stucco Cracks 
 
It is quite common to find fine cracks in stucco siding.  However, this is not something that should be ignored.  Cracks should be properly repaired to prevent moisture intrusion and further deterioration.  Regular maintenance can prevent small issues from becoming big problems.
 
June 5, 2009 -  Ventilation Fans 
 
A bathroom fan is quite effective for removing a lot of warm, humid air.  However, occasionally these fans are found to be vented into the attic.  This can cause serious moisture and mold problems and should be corrected immediately.  These fans should always be vented to the exterior of the house to prevent potential moisture and mold problems from developing.
 
May 29, 2009 - Weep Holes 
 
The lower course of bricks on a brick veneer wall should always contain weep holes.  These holes should not be sealed off as they allow moisture to drain from the backside of the wall.  Plugging them can result in costly damage. 
 
May 28, 2009 - Grading
 
Something inspectors often see on properties we inspect is improper grading.  It is common to see inadequate slope away from the foundation or the grade actually sloping toward the foundation.  This can cause moisture problems.  It is important to ensure that a lot is properly landscaped to ensure water is draining away from the house in order to help keep your basement dry.
 
May 27, 2009 - Foundations
 
One of the most common concerns home buyers have is the house foundation.  Cracks are often found in foundation walls or other concrete components of a property but they may or may not be a cause for concern.  Some cracks are due to concrete shrinkage while some can indicate structural problems.  Several types of cracks are horizontal, vertical, and step cracks.  An experienced inspector will use their knowledge and training to look for clues indicating potential problems and inform you of their findings to help you make an informed decision regarding your purchase.