Inspection issues common in Southeast Texas

We inspect many homes and commercial properties in Lumberton, Beaumont, Port Arthur, and all of the surrounding areas, and we find a few issues common to this area, including:

Termites

We provide wood destroying insect reports or termite inspections for termite issues.

Septics and Wells

In more rural locations, septics and wells are common features. We are experienced at inspecting traditional septic systems as well as aerobic septic systems. It’s common for clients in this area to have problems associated with septics and wells, and we provide detailed reports on these issues.

Foundation Issues

Due to the type of soil in Southeast Texas, which is very expansive, there is a lot of movement within structures. As soil absorbs moisture and dries out, it expands and contacts. This is a major factor in the settlement of the foundation. Whether it’s a pier and beam style home or a monolithic slab on grade, as the foundation reacts to moisture levels, it’s common to detect corner pops on the foundation. Sometimes this indicates a substandard foundation construction which can lead to premature foundation failure.

When we suspect foundation issues, we use a hydrostatic altimeter. We zero this at the front door, then take a reading, normally in three to four corners of each room. This produces a reading that is accurate to within 1000th of an inch which will indicate if the structure has moved. Using this reading, we will understand precisely how much the structure has moved, and can assess whether this movement is within tolerance. Generally, anything within half-inch of deflection per 10-linear feet is acceptable, and anything over a half-inch in a 10-linear foot span of deflection indicates that further evaluation is needed by a licensed foundation specialist.

Additional Points of Interest Covered During our Inspections

Plumbing

We test all fixtures, check for leaks underneath sinks, inspect for corrosion on supply piping, and all other aspects of the plumbing. We verify that water heaters are properly positioned at the 18” minimum mark above the garage floor, that a drain is installed and includes a pipe that terminates within six inches of the exterior grading, that the pressure relief valve on the water heater has a three-quarter inch pip that terminates to the exterior, within six-inches of the exterior grading. Other plumbing issues that we commonly find during inspections are gas water heaters that come in contact with drywall, ceiling, or roof structure. All types of V vents should have a minimum clearance of one-inch from any combustible material, so we carefully inspect for this.

• HVAC
• Electrical
• Window Seals

What Really Matters in a Home Inspection

What really matters is the condition of the home, property, systems and components.

If this is your first time having a home inspection, please take a couple of minutes and watch the video. It is very informative.

Afterwards if you have any further questions contact us today.

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Because we put the customer first, we always have promotions that stand out in comparison to our competitors, as well as offering services they cannot provide. Our commitment to making you’re experience the best imaginable means that we’ll always give you more than the other guys. We treat you the way we like to be treated, like family.

• Sprinkler/Irrigation System Inspection
• Home Energy Inspection
• Pre – Listing Inspection
• Water Quality Inspection
• Home Energy Score Assessment