Have you hugged your home inspector today?

Many people appreciate their home inspectors when they are deciding on buying a house. It is the home inspector that will tell them that the house of their dreams won’t become a nightmare as soon as they move in. Sure… home buyers know that they are paying for this person to check out all the nooks and crannies of the house to make sure that it won’t fall down around them as the moving truck pulls out of the driveway when the last box has been unloaded and moved into the house.

But do you really know what your home inspector is doing for you? It is the professional home inspector’s job to open the windows that you might not open and crawl into the attics that you might not want to crawl into. Your professional home inspector should check the small things, like do the hinges work on all of the doors in the house. They should also inspect the larger things, like the Air-conditioner and how well it is cooling and heating your new house. Everything from the microwave oven in the kitchen to the washer and dryer in the laundry will need to be professionally inspected before you sign on the dotted line.

Of course a professional inspector is also worth their weight in gold when it comes to inspecting for structural damage, mold, termites and electrical problems. These are the issues that can prevent you and your family from safely occupying your new dwelling.

Yes, inspectors are nosy. But we learn over the years to have our eyes open to instinctively pick up on the things buyers don’t spot or become aware of until long after their checks at closing have cleared. So go ahead…hug your inspector today! They were well worth the investment.

What can infrared do for you?

Infrared home inspection technology is quickly taking hold in the world of home inspections. This technology is not only used for pre-purchase home inspections, but can also be used as a tool to find energy leaks that can be fixed to make your home more energy efficient. Hidden problems can be “seen” by using this technology.

According the U.S. Department of Energy, “Thermography (infrared scanning) measures surface temperatures by using infrared video and still cameras. These tools see light that is in the heat spectrum. Images on the video or film record the temperature variations of the building's skin, ranging from white for warm regions to black for cooler areas. The resulting images help the auditor determine whether insulation is needed. They also serve as a quality control tool, to ensure that insulation has been installed correctly.”

Working in conjunction with a standard home inspection, infrared scanning can save a homeowner time and money by discovering problems that may be undetectable to the human eye and finding minor problems before they become major ones. Problems that can be found include faulty wiring that could lead to a house fire; the sources of mold; hidden leaks and water damage; and more.

When choosing an infrared home inspector, it is important to look at their credentials and make sure that they are properly trained and are legally qualified to do your inspection. Be sure to check to if your inspector has his SIRI (Specialist-Infrared Residential Inspector) Certification.

You can learn more about infrared inspections at www.homesafesouthflorida.com or http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11200