The plumbing in your home is an essential and often overlooked system that provides clean water and proper collection and transportation of waste water. Today, water-supply systems utilize a network of high-pressure pumps and pipes made of copper, brass, plastic, steel or other nontoxic materials.

Due to the complexity of these systems, it is a good idea to have them inspected for potential problems before you buy a home. A qualified professional can provide a visual inspection of any bathtubs, showers, pipes, toilets, sinks, etc. The inspector will determine the type of pipe and look over the visible piping for evidence of leaks or malfunction, such as staining, mildew or odors. Even a small leak or condensation on pipes can cause damage to wood, wall or floor coverings.

The inspector will make certain all fixtures are installed properly and show no signs of leakage. Additionally, they will look for missing calking and any visible drainage problems. The inspector will make note if problems are identified and recommend repairs.

For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com. 

It's that time of the year again...time to turn on your heat or get your heat ready for use when cooler weather strikes!

Your heating equipment should be routinely checked by a qualified professional on an annual basis. However; there are also key maintenance checks you should perform on your heating equipment.

• Maintain records to keep track of maintenance checks and requirements.
• Change the filter as required, once every other month or more frequently, depending on the variables in your home.
• Look for water leaks or changes in the system.
• Check the drain lines to make sure they are clear and draining properly.
• Listen to the furnace operate and follow up on any unfamiliar sounds.
• Check flue pipes and vents for rust, water leaks and loose connections.
• Contact a qualified service technician if you don't feel comfortable performing these tasks on your own.

For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com.

In addition to having your foundation inspected by a qualified professional, there are also important foundation must-knows and must-dos that home owners should be familiar with.

• Understand the type of foundation that supports your home
• Protect your foundation from water damage by never allowing water to pool around it
• Protect your foundation (and the rest of your home) from insects
• Understand the basic structure of your home
• Never modify or remove structural framing without an expert's advice
• Excessive cracking or movement may indicate potential problems that need to be further investigated
• Keep gutters clean to prevent plugging and overflowing of downspouts and storm sewer lines
• Keep window wells clean and free of all plant material. Fill the bottom of the well with gravel to allow for good drainage and stop plant growth 

 For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com.

How can you be assured that your foundation is in tact?

There are many types of foundations but all of them serve the same purpose as the supporting structure for a home. During an exterior inspection, a qualified professional will assess the condition of your home's foundation.

Solid foundations include rock, block, concrete, brick or wood. Other houses are held up by a system of piers or columns placed strategically around and within the house perimeter. On some buildings the foundation is so low to the ground that the floor joists are sitting in the dirt.

Once your home's foundation type is noted, here are some key things an inspector will look for:

• Bowed or leaned foundations
• Excessive water around the perimeter of foundation
• Gaps and major cracks in the foundation
• Crumbling or missing mortar joints
• Decayed brick
• Peeling stucco
• Rock or brick piers that have begun to disintegrate
• Wood columns that are rotted at ground level
• Concrete piers that have major cracks
• Rotting skirtboards at ground level

For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com.

Summer is obviously the most popular season for swimming pools. Routine maintenance is important for any swimming pool equipment. Here are some must know/must do items regarding swimming pools.

• Hire a service contractor to routinely check equipment
• Establish a maintenance routine based on your pool equipment
• Maintain chemical balance, treatment and water chemistry
• Keep records on maintenance and water chemistry
• Routinely check for leaks at piping and other systems 
• Regularly change or clean filters and screens
• Never allow children to use the pool without adult supervision
• An electronic or automated safety monitoring system should be installed to detect water movement when the pool is not in use
• Secure the pool with a proper enclosure when not in use

For information on home inspections, commercial property inspections or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com.

How do you check if your deck is built according to correct safety standards?

Building a deck is a popular project often done by do-it-yourselfers. Unfortunately, not all decks are built soundly. A deck inspection includes checking the support posts, railings and decking boards to ensure it is in proper condition and safe.

Here are some key points to look for during a deck inspection:

• Deck built immediately below electrical wires or over an air-conditioning/heat pump unit
• Warped or fractured wood support posts
• Deteriorated masonry posts
• Missing support posts
• Support posts that are sinking into the ground
• Deck securely attached to house or independently supported
• Bolts mounted head out and thread end in
• Railings and steps installed (if required) and secure and sound
• Decking in good condition and securely attached

A qualified professional will inspect the deck as part of the exterior inspection, note any issues and recommend repairs if necessary.

For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com.

If your home's inside temperature is feeling more like the warm outside temperature, it could be a problem with the air conditioning system. What should you do when there is no air conditioning working in your home?

• Check the thermostat. Is it set to "cooling" or "AC?" Is it set lower than the room temperature indicated on the dial or screen? If it's a digital thermostat, is the battery dead?
• Check the on/off switch on the side of the furnace or near the furnace. The furnace distributes air for the air conditioner and must be on.
• Is the disconnect switch outside at the AC unit switched off, disconnect pulled or the fuse blown?
• Is the main breaker fuse for the air conditioner off? Reset the breaker or replace the fuse.
• Check for a broken belt or clogged air filter on the furnace
• Is the coil above the furnace iced up?
• Is the exterior coil dirty or blocked by plants?
• It is always important to call a qualified service technician when you have questions or concerns and don't feel comfortable performing the checks above yourself

For information on home inspections, commercial building inspections, or to find an inspector in your area, go to www.npiweb.com.

Long, hot days are just around the corner. And the last thing you want to do is step inside a warm house because of its cooling system problems. How do you know if your cooling system is in good condition for the summer months?

The mechanical systems of a home or commercial property can be extensive. Heating and cooling equipment can include indoor and outdoor equipment, fans and a duct system running to each room of the home or business. A qualified inspector will examine visible components of the heating and cooling system as part of a general inspection.

The inspector will review the age and condition of the system, noting whether or not the systems' distribution is functional and if its controls, including shutoffs, are adequate. The inspector will also note the energy source and type of distribution system. The functionality of cooling systems present in the home will be checked only when air temperatures are warm enough. Starting a cooling system when temperatures are too cold can damage the system.

Checking the heating and cooling systems includes testing the flow of air in all living areas of the home where ducts and/or returns are present. The air temperature at registers is recorded to make sure it fits in the proper range for functional heating and cooling.

For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find an inspector in the area, go to www.npiweb.com.

Windows and doors in a commercial or residential property are important for aesthetics, safety and energy efficiency. Understanding the type, function and condition of the windows and doors can help determine future maintenance projects. How do you determine the condition of your windows and doors for maintenance purposes?

A qualified professional will assess the condition and safety of doors and windows on the exterior and interior of the home. The first thing the inspector will note on the exterior is the type of front door. The inspector will observe the door's condition to see if it is warped, split or scratched, and if the glass is cracked. The inspector will also perform a visual inspection of the condition of the windows. The most common problems for windows are cracked, missing or broken panes. The inspector will check the wood around the window frame to see if it is rotting out or in need of paint.

On the inside of the home, the inspector will check the window and door operation. The inspector will also look for the presence of screens or storm windows and breaks or cracks in the window panes. If conditions allow, the inspector will assess thermal pane windows for evidence of problems with the seal.  

For more information on home inspections, commercial building inspections or to find a home inspector or commercial building inspector in the area, go to www.npiweb.com.

How do you check if your utility room appliances are working properly and are safe? While the washing machine and clothes dryer often leave the house with the seller, certain safety checks in the utility room can still be made regardless. 

A qualified home inspector will first check if the clothes dryer's appliance hose connection is secure. The inspector will then check if the vent piping, from the dryer to the vent exit, is in good condition. The vent exit is where the dryer vent ends, and it must vent outside. The inspector will verify that the vent terminates outside and that the outside exhaust port is functional and in good condition, to avoid lint buildup and reduced airflow, which could be a fire hazard.

On the washing machine, the inspector will check to make sure the outlet is grounded in order to operate the washer safely. The inspector will then check to make sure the water hose is approved for use as a water line, and that the washer drain standpipe is the correct size.

For more information on home inspections, commercial property inspections or to find an inspector in you area, go to www.npiweb.com.