Congratulations! You searched and searched and finally found your dream home! Do you realize the importance of a home inspection before you buy? This may be one of your largest purchases ever. Would you buy a car without giving it a test drive? Of course not! Doesn't it make sense to have a set of experienced eyes examine your new home before you invest your hard-earned dollars? Of course!

The Mount Soledad Cross- La Jolla, California

I just conducted a La Jolla home inspection not far from the Mount Soledad cross and War Memorial. After finishing the inspection, I took a few moments to stop at the site and take in the beautiful vistas of the surrounding terrain. It is one of my favorite places to visit in San Diego!

Mount Soledad stands at 822 feet above sea level. From the top, there is a stunning 360-degree view: La Jolla shores, Scripps pier, Mission Bay, the Coronado bridge, the skyline of downtown San Diego, and the northern and southern shorelines can all be seen. And, of course, there is always an abundance of fresh ocean air and drenching California sunshine!

These home inspection tips show how to protect the siding and foundation of your San Diego home. Whether your home is built on a slab or a raised foundation, it comes in contact with the soil at some point. The foundation is obviously in contact with the ground, but all siding materials should have adequate clearance from the ground to prevent moisture penetration, insect access, and siding damage.

Stucco siding should have a minimum 4" clearance above soil and 2" above hardscaping. Wood siding should have a minimum 6" clearance above soil and 2" above a hardscape surface.The main reason for these requirements is for protection against moisture.

Pool And Spa Safety At A Home Inspection

If a property has a swimming pool, Steve Stenros of First Choice Inspections also evaluates pool and spa safety at a home inspection. A swimming pool or spa is defined as a permanent vessel used for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18" deep.  If you have a pool or spa on your property and a drowning incident occurs, you could be held liable if the appropriate safety barriers or components are not in place.

Let's look at three commonly-seen issues concerning pool and spa safety at a home inspection here in San Diego County, California:

Drain Problems: What To Look For- San Diego Home Inspection- Part 1
 

First Choice Inspections is a San Diego home inspection company owned and operated by Steve Stenros, a CREIA MCI home inspector (Master CREIA Inspector). Steve provides professional inspection services in
San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Coronado, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Poway, Mira Mesa, Escondido, Fallbrook, and also in Orange and Riverside Counties.
 

A home inspector is a house detective- looking for clues or evidence- ways to find out the history of a home. I was conducting a San Diego home inspection at a 1950-built single family residence in La Mesa, CA. I was on the roof and one of the plumbing vents caught my eye. (The plumbing vents are the pipes you see sticking up through the roof.)

Drain Problems: What To Look For- San Diego Home Inspection- Part 2

(Continued from...

Drain Problems: What To Look For- San Diego Home Inspection- Part 1)...

"However, the problem may not be completely solved"...

The sewer line (lateral) between the house and the municipal connection (in the street) may still need repairs. Tree roots may have grown into the sewer line, or the line may be deteriorated or crushed causing blockage. If so, repairs will have to be made to ensure a free-flowing drain system.

The best way to determine if there is blockage in the system is to have a video inspection of the sewer line- something this San Diego home inspector often recommends. A video inspection involves inserting a camera scope into the sewer line and visually inspecting the interior of the pipe. If trench repairs into the street are necessary, costs can easily run into the multiple thousands of dollars. A $200 video inspection by a qualified plumber is worth it's weight in gold!

If you are interested in buying a home built prior to 1975, here are five important items to look for:

A Client Story- Coronado Home Inspector

I meet some very interesting clients as a home inspector here in southern California. Some young- some old, some first-time buyers- some veteran investors, some native Californians- some from out-of-country. Every new day is a surprise. It's what makes my occupation so very interesting. As a Coronado home inspector, I realize I am in the people business. I love meeting new people!

The majority of my clients are home buyers. It brings me great pleasure to help bring clarity to them at a time when they are under a great deal of stress. Especially first-time home buyers. A real estate transaction can make them feel as if they are joining the military with all the paperwork involved. The process can be a bit overwhelming for them. A well-done home inspection can give them some peace-of-mind. All the cards are out on the table for them. The fear of the unknown diminishes.

Some clients are actively involved in the inspection process while others would rather relax until their personal walk-through at the end of the inspection. Either way suits me just fine. It is an individual thing- it varies from client to client. I want my clients to feel comfortable.

Cast Iron Drains- Del Mar Home Inspector

Steve Stenros- First Choice Inspections: 888-335-3040, a Del Mar home inspector, discusses the importance of having a thorough evaluation of the drain piping in a home before purchasing it. Steve is a CREIA-certified inspector with the MCI designation (Master CREIA Inpsector). He has inspected thousands of drain pipe systems in homes all over San Diego county.

There are many older homes throughout San Diego county. Homes constructed prior to 1970 will very likely have cast iron drain piping. Older cast iron drains, in particular, can be problematic. Cast iron drain piping typically has a life-span of about 50 years, so if the original drains are still installed in these older homes, they are probably at or near the end of their serviceable life and will need replacement. I always liken cast iron drains to hardened arteries. As the pipes age, they corrode from the inside out causing the inside diameter of the pipe to become too small for functional flow.

"Help! My House Is On Fire!"- La Jolla Home Inspector

Home values in La Jolla, California are among the highest in the nation, and with good reason. La Jolla is located only 15 minutes from San Diego, has one of the most beautiful and majestic coastlines in southern California, and boasts some of the finest weather in the world. It is known to be one of the most affluent communities in the United States.

As a La Jolla home inspector, and knowing the value of these homes, one of the most important things I can show my clients at their home inspection is the location of their emergency shut-offs. Disaster can strike in a moment. If a fire, flood, or major earthquake happens, you have only moments to take decisive action. A few seconds can be the difference between destruction or just a close call. So let me ask you, "In case of an emergency, do you know where your utility shut-offs are located, and what do they look like?"

Look at the exterior of your home (in most cases) for the following:
 

Is Your Water Heater Safe?- Chula Vista Home Inspector

 I recently made a video while inspecting a water heater at a Chula Vista home inspection. This water heater has several safety issues which I identify in the video. Discovering unexpected expenses after purchasing a new home can ruin your experience! Replacing a water heater can cost you $750- $1500, so you want to be aware of it's condition. It is our goal at First Choice Inspections to make sure you don't have any surprises once you move into your home.