We conduct inspections at 3 Stages during Construction.
1.) Foundation & Structure
2.) Pre-Drywall
3.) Final
Foundation & Structure
Slab is poured & Exterior walls are up.
Pre-Drywall
Interior framing is completed, electrical is run, & plumbing pre-pipe is done.
Final
Just before, during, or right after the builder walk-through as per Construction Manager.
Below are just a few issues found recently while conducting Construction Final Inspections & Pre-Warranty Expiration Inspections:
- Cracked roof tiles + water staining observed on roof sheathing (underside of roof), + infrared camera indicates possible water intrusion + moisture detected via moisture meter = active leak.
- Mold/mildew type growth on A/C ductwork likely caused by incomplete internal insulation.
- Infrared camera & moisture meter indicate evidence of moisture from un-insulated condensate return lines. We recommend removing and replacing damaged drywall & insulating return lines to prevent condensation from forming on outside of pipe and creating water problems inside the building envelope.
- The A/C drip pan has water in it = primary drain line is plugged.
- Infrared camera indicates poor seal & loss of conditioned air at air handler to duct work connection.
- Unable to completely / properly inspect all areas of attic due to limited access, but infrared camera indicates missing / disturbed attic insulation affecting R-value over the den.
- Toilet not properly attached to floor will cause accelerated failure of wax ring gasket and subsequent leaking.
- Plumbing penetrations should be sealed to prevent conditioned air leaks & pest access – we recommend expanding foam.
- Double tapped breakers.
- Infrared camera indicates overheating of some breakers.
- GFI outlet in kitchen does not trip when tested.
- Dryer vent disconnected at roof penetration = venting into attic.
- Gap between baseboards and floor may retain water and debris which could lead to deterioration and / or mold growth.
- Door stop and weather strip both missing at front door.
- Infrared camera indicates possible poor seal & air intrusion at garage entry door.
- Foggy insulated windows are likely an indication of a broken seal.
- Microwave detector indicates a leak.
A Pre-Warranty Expiration Inspection is performed before the end of your 1-year Builder Warranty, to ensure that proper building materials & techniques were used in the construction of the home, and that all systems of the home are operating properly. If not, any deficiencies should be corrected by your builder, before your warranty expires.
New homes are never perfect. I can go on & on about all of the ways that homes get built improperly and defects get missed. We constantly find issues that require correction when conducting warranty inspections.
We often uncover issues that home owners are unaware of.
This is because…
- Most new home owners have never been on their roof, or in their attic.
- Most home owners haven’t ever used testers or detection tools such as Moisture Meters, Laser Thermometers, GFI Testers, Infrared Cameras, etc.
- Roof leaks and plumbing leaks can take a long time to cause enough damage for you to notice. Moisture intrusion can eventually become a mold problem too.
- Electrical issues often go unrecognized until there is an electrical fire or injury.
- Air Conditioning (HVAC) issues are rarely noticed until the system completely stops working.