Home Inspection – Drone Technology

Home Inspection – Drone Technology

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For those who have had the opportunity to use or witness Drone Technology, known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), you have had the opportunity to experience the world from an entirely different perspective. UAV technology is making a major impact in many industries including farming, ranching, insurance, roofing and home inspection. As a Home Inspector, UAV’s can provide you with a closer, more detailed view of chimney’s, roof tops, gutter issues, etc. The UAV also provides the home inspector with the ability to avoid dangerous roof angles and “slick” roofs due to algae contamination or rain or snow.

Currently, a wide range of Home Inspectors are not using UAV technology. Those numbers are expected to change dramatically as individuals within the industry begin to see the advantages that UAV technology offers not only to their business but also the homeowners. Concerns currently for some home inspection businesses are the cost of equipment and lack of knowledge as to how to use the UAV effectively for home inspection.

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Drone technology allows high-quality images of rooftops and other hard-to reach areas of a homeowner’s property. These photos provide a record of the details of the roof, as well as other areas, at a greater level of detail than the human eye can capture or record for the potential homeowner. These photos are then incorporated into the potential homeowner’s on-site inspection report providing greater detail to the overall inspection. This data can then be used to help the potential homeowner save money and time when negotiating the final real estate contract and/or insurance policy.

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At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections the use of the Drone or UAV provides yet another tool to help us achieve the best report that we can for the homeowner or prospective homeowner. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections we combine knowledge, experience and science to provide you with the highest level of inspection service. Corspect Advanced Home Inspections uses the latest technology to assess every detail of the homes systems. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections we also have the unique ability, through Drone equipped HD Cameras, to inspect and photograph roof components. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections it is our mission to make the home buying experience rewarding, informative and enjoyable for all. Contact Bob at Corspect Advanced Home Inspections to set up your home inspection.

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Home Inspection – Infrared/Thermal Imaging Home Inspection

Home Inspection – Infrared/Thermal Imaging Home Inspection

As with any new technology, infrared or thermal imaging technology may not always be viewed as the latest/greatest new gadget to be introduced to a particular industry. Some will perceive thermal imaging as nothing more than scientific hype and not as a device which can be an effective part of a home’s inspection. No, it does not provide you with ex-ray vision into or through the surfaces of walls, crawl spaces, roofs, basements, etc.

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So, what can it do for the home inspector? In the home inspection business thermal imaging inspection provides both the homeowner and the home inspector the ability to view variances of temperature on different surfaces. Infrared/thermal imaging provides the home inspector with the ability to look beyond physical elements. Some homes may appear immaculate on the surface of an inspection – ceilings have no stains, no bubbling, no indication of problems of any kind. The infrared/thermal imaging camera can be used effectively to tell the home inspector and future home owner if water infiltration is occurring in the walls or insulation at the time of inspection. If water infiltration is detected, the home inspector can then further test with a moisture meter to see the extent of that infiltration.

Infrared Home Inspection

               Infrared Camera

How does a thermal imaging camera work? Thermography uses specially designed infrared video or still cameras to make images (called thermograms) that show surface heat variations. Images record the temperature variations of the surface ranging from white for warm regions to black for cooler areas. All materials on earth emit heat energy in the infrared portion of the spectrum. The thermographic, or infrared image, allows the user to reveal anomalies in electrical, mechanical, plumbing and waterproofing systems. Those abnormalities can then be further investigated through equipment like a moisture meter to analyze the extent of the anomaly.

Infrared Home Inspection

            Examples of Infrared Inspection   

What information can be gained using the infrared/thermal imaging camera?
1. Missing or damaged insulation
2. Faulty electrical-mechanical and HVAC systems and components
3. Leaking roofs – can look for missing or moisture soaked insulation.
4. Construction defects – identifying water intrusion in areas where flashing or sealants were not properly installed or are inadequate.

 

Home Inspection - Omaha and Lincoln and surrounding areas

At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections we combine knowledge, experience and science to provide you with the highest level of inspection service. Corspect Advanced Home Inspections uses the latest technology to assess every detail of the homes systems. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections we also have the unique ability, through Infrared/Thermal Cameras, to inspect and photograph anomalies which may occur in your home. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections it is our mission to make the home buying experience rewarding, informative and enjoyable for all. Contact Bob at Corspect Advanced Home Inspections to set up your home inspection.

Home Inspection – Radon Inspection

Home Inspection – Radon Inspection

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                        How Radon Enters Your Home

Let’s begin with what Radon is. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert radioactive gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. It can be found in all 50 states. Why is Radon a problem? The problem occurs when radon gas enters your home and gets trapped within it. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. In 1998, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) Report, “The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon.” The study reviewed and evaluated data from many prior studies and drew conclusions. It fully supports estimates by the EPA that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Though some people debate the number of deaths, it is widely agreed that radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Only smoking causes more cases of lung cancer.

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        Highest Levels in Nebraska by County

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    Radon Concentrations by County in Nebraska

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   Generalized Geologic Radon Potential of the                                   United States

So, how does Radon gas enter your home and create this exposure? Radon gas moves from the soil your home was built upon and seeps into your home through pores in concrete, gaps in walls and floors, your opening in your sump pump basin, etc. It is important to note that any house of any age is susceptible to radon gas – a new home just built or a home 100-years-old. It should be noted that one out of every fifteen U.S. homes have a radon problem. The only way to know what your home’s Radon level is is to test it.
According to the EPA and the Surgeon General testing of all homes below the third floor is recommended. The purpose is to identify the need for mitigation or reducing the radon level found in homes. Ideally, the test should be conducted in a regularly used room on the lowest level of the home, such as the living room, playroom, den, or bedroom. While testing, do not disturb the device being used to take the radon sample. Keep in mind that high humidity and drafty conditions can bias the results from some test devices.

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                                Radon Test Kit

EPA recommends that you hire a qualified professional to test for radon when you are buying or selling a home. Some states, including Nebraska, require radon measurement testers to follow a specific testing protocol. If you hire a contractor to test your residence, protect yourself by hiring a qualified individual or company.

 

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             4 picoCuries per liter or higher

What should you do if you find high levels of radon in your home? If you discover levels of 4 picoCuries per liter or higher, the EPA recommends doing a second radon test. Once you discover levels that are at or above 4 picoCuries per liter mitigation should be considered. Mitigation will either require an active or a passive system that will vent the radon of your home. Active systems will require a fan to move the gas from the home. Passive systems do not require a fan but will require a vent system to allow the gas to escape from the home through the vent system.

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         Passive Radon System

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                            Mitigation

The EPA provides more information about health effects from radon in their publication, A Physician’s Guide to Radon, as well as their booklet Reducing the Risk From Radon: Information and Interventions (A Guide for Health Care Providers).
For More Information:
• National Radon Hotline: Purchase radon test kits by phone.
1 (800) SOS-RADON (767-7236)

• National Radon Helpline: Get live help for your radon questions.
1 (800) 55-RADON (557-2366)

• National Radon Fix-It Line: For general information on fixing or reducing the radon level in your home.
1 (800) 644-6999

• Living Healthy and Green Hotline
1 (866) 730-4733

• National Radon Hotline En Español
1 (866) 528-3187

Home Inspection - Omaha and Lincoln and surrounding areas

At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections we combine knowledge, experience and science to provide you with the highest level of inspection service. Corspect Advanced Home Inspections uses the latest technology to assess every detail of the homes systems. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections we also offer Radon Inspection to the prospective home owner at an additional fee for testing. At Corspect Advanced Home Inspections it is our mission to make the home buying experience rewarding, informative and enjoyable for all. Contact Bob at Corspect Advanced Home Inspections to set up your home inspection.