HOME INSPECTOR
HOME INSPECTOR
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MSM Home Services is certified, licensed and insured to provide residential and light commercial property inspections in Maryland and Ohio. We help first-time homebuyers understand the condition of any and all properties they are potentially looking to purchase, especially if relocating from an area of the country with a different climate and styles of built homes. We provide detailed inspection reports with numerous photographs of the property, so that clients or investors often have no need to visit the actual site in person. We also help current homeowners with pre-listing inspections, safety audits, and routine maintenance inspections so they can make sound decisions regarding their property.
MSM Home Services conducts property inspections that exceed the standards of practice (SOP) endorsed by the states of Maryland, Ohio, and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). We provide inspections for residential single-family homes, new construction, historic structures, manufactured and modular homes, townhouses, multi-unit apartment or condominium buildings, and even custom log homes. A property inspection will cover the general real-estate details (age, type), building site, exterior materials, roofing, garage (attached, detached, car port), structure (foundation, basement, crawl space, attic), electrical, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, interior rooms (kitchen, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry), installed appliances, and any attached decks or patios. A fully-illustrated, digital inspection report is provided to the client within twenty-four (24) hours and contain details such as the following:
MSM Home Services uses a drone to inspect roofs, guaranteeing that there will be no damage from an inspector walking on what could possibly be a fragile or aged surface. Some roofing-material manufacturers will actually void their warranty if there are signs of people walking on the roof after installation. The above image shows likely deterioration of the chimney flashing at the ridge, which could allow water penetration into the underlayment and attic. There also appears to be significant granule loss to the asphalt shingles, indicating they may be nearing the end of their service life. We would recommend repair or replacement by a qualified roofer.
MSM Home Services uses ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet testers on every available power receptacle during inspections. The above image shows a fault indicating an open-ground connection in a three-prong outlet. This newer outlet likely replaced an older two-prong outlet without a ground connection, and a new cable was not run with a third wire for the dedicated ground. There may be portions of an outdated knob-and-tube electrical system still in use behind the wall, which could damage appliances or shock occupants. We would recommend further evaluation by a licensed electrician.
MSM Home Services uses digital thermo-hygrometers during inspections to measure indoor temperature and relative humidity. The above charts show when the air conditioner was turned on at the start of an inspection, verifying that the thermostat regulates the home's temperature and that the humidity drops each time the unit is active. Measurements from the thermo-hygrometer are taken into account when visually inspecting the air conditioner's condenser and evaporator.
MSM Home Services uses infrared thermometers during inspections to measure water temperatures at the fixtures. The above image shows a lower-than-normal temperature reading at a kitchen sink, with the hot-water line fully open. A hot-water heater should have the aquastat set around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, whereby a lower temperature setting will not prevent bacteria growth in the water and a higher one would present an increased risk of scalding at the faucets. This measurement could indicate the water heater is nearing the end of its service life, but it was simply a case where the homeowner needed to adjust the aquastat back to its optimal temperature.
MSM Home Services visually inspects all structural components before walking on a deck. The above image shows an undersized joist hanger that appears to be compromised with rust, which could fail and cause serious injury to anyone standing above. There are other notable issues as well, such as undersized wood joists for the long span, lack of bolts used in the (broken) ledger board, and no evident flashing along the house to prevent water penetration. We would recommend repair or replacement by a qualified carpenter.
MSM Home Services uses ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet testers on every available power receptacle during inspections. The above image shows a fault on both the ground and neutral lines, indicating that the outlet cannot complete a circuit and provide power. This issue was not apparent at any other outlets in the room. We would recommend further evaluation and repair by a licensed electrician.
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