by Kevin Palmer

Adora and Kevin Palmer. Staff photo.

The best way to protect the valuable asset called “home” is to have regular checkups. Medical checkups on our bodies are part of preventive medicine to catch problems early. The same concept applies to your home by way of a home inspection. Some homeowners aren’t aware of what a home inspection entails, so here is a quick rundown of what preventive maintenance can do.

An inspector is looking for sources of existing leaks or probable future leaks caused by such things as loose toilets, leaky drains, or old caulking that is cracked. Why are leaks so important when evaluating the health of your home? Leaks lead to dry rot and pest infestation. Dry rot spreads when there is a moisture problem. The moisture turns to fungus, which becomes dry rot that actually eats the cellulous of the wood. Tiny mycelium hairs invade the wood and break down the cellulous. This decaying process makes the wood juicy and attractive to both dampwood termites and subterranean termites.

Another cause of moisture is the lack of adequate airflow, especially in the substructure areas. New homes are particularly prone to decreased airflow due to the more recent engineering of foundations, which cuts down on airflow, leading to condensation and moisture buildup. A sharp inspector can spot this problem and get air flowing by adding extra vents in the substructure areas or by installing electric fans.

Unchecked moisture can lead to damages ranging from $5,000 to $80,000. Inspection costs range from $175 to $225, depending on the size of the home. Home inspections are cheap insurance; they provide a sensible preventive-medicine approach for your home’s health.

Kevin Palmer is owner of Premier Termite Inc. & Construction as well as Floors To Go. He has been providing home services to the Coastside and the peninsula for many years.