ABOUT THE HOME INSPECTION

Q:   WHAT DOES THE INSPECTION COVER?
A:   During the basic home inspection, we will thoroughly examine all of the accessible areas of the home, including the following:

­Heating System             ­Bathrooms            
­Central Cooling System*    ­Ventilation          
­Water Heater               ­Garage               
­Interior Electric          ­Grading              
­Interior Plumbing          ­Water Penetration    
­Basement                   ­Fireplaces           
­Framing                    ­Chimneys & Flashing  
­Foundation                 ­Walls/Ceilings/Floors
­Roofing*                   ­Attic                
­Gutters & Downspouts       ­Walks/Driveway       
­Insulation                 ­Decks/Patios         
­Kitchen                    ­Siding               
­Built-in Appliances        ­Doors/Windows        

* weather permitting                             

All of our inspections are performed according to current and pending Pennsylvania laws and regulations.   We follow the ASHI® (American Society of Home Inspectors®) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Q:   HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
A:   The average inspection usually takes 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the home.   Some optional tests, such as well flow testing, can take up to four hours.   Immediately following the inspection, you will receive a complete, fully detailed report.

Q:   DO I HAVE TO BE THERE?
A:   Although it is not required, your presence during the inspection will provide you with immediate and valuable information about the working components of your prospective home, including the heating and cooling systems, the roof and siding, as well as the framing and foundation.

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OTHER INSPECTIONS AND TESTS

In addition to the basic home inspection, J. L. Camp Inspection Services also offers the following inspections and tests for an additional fee.   All of these tests are available individually, as well.   Be aware that some of these tests may be required by your lending institution.   Your real estate professional can to advise you as to which tests you need.

Wood-destroying insects (pest/termite inspection)

The inspector checks for signs of past or present infestation and/or prior treatment for wood-destroying insects, including termites, carpenter ants and carpenter bees.   The report is available immediately following the inspection.

Water quality

In order to determine whether the water obtained from a well or other source meets the microbiological requirements for safe drinking water set by the PA DEP, a small sample is collected and taken to an independent laboratory for analysis.   Results are usually available in 24 hours.   We also offer FHA/HUD required water testing (lead, nitrates, nitrites, and bacteria).

Septic dye

This test ensures that the on-site sewage treatment system (septic system) is performing to all applicable codes and that all of the drains in the home are routed into the system.   A fluorescent septic/cesspool dye is introduced into the drains of the home, followed by 150 to 200 gallons of water.   The inspector then checks the surrounding grounds and probable leach field locations for any signs of the dye, which would indicate a problem with the system.  The report is available immediately following the inspection.

Well flow

A well flow test can determine if the well is capable of producing an adequate amount of water for normal usage.   The inspector runs the water continuously for 15 minutes while measuring the volume of water with a gauge, then turns it off for 15 minutes.   This continues for 4 hours, at which time the inspector calculates the average flow per minute. If the well ceases to produce water, the test is stopped for 30 minutes and then resumed.   The inspector then determines the recovery rate and notes it on the report.   The report is available immediately following the inspection.

Radon gas

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium and radium in the soil.   The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing an estimated 14,000 deaths annually.   Both the Surgeon General and the EPA recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon, and taking steps to reduce elevated radon levels in your home .   Radon typically enters the home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.   To determine radon levels in the home, the inspector places a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) in the lowest livable area of the home, where it remains undisturbed for 48 hours.   The monitor stores hourly readings of temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity as well as radon gas levels.   It is then retrieved and returned to our office, where the information is downloaded and a report is produced, usually the same day.

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ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Company background
J. L. Camp Inspection Services, Inc. has been serving the western Pennsylvania area since 1993.   Our service area includes much of Beaver, Allegheny, Butler, Lawrence and Washington Counties.   We have performed over 3000 inspections and have worked closely with realtors from over 60 area real estate agencies, among them Access Realty, ACME Real Estate, Bovard-Anderson Company, Century 21, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Crestwood Realty, ERA, Executive Real Estate, Hopewell Realty, Howard Hanna, Northwood Realty, Oxford Realty, Prudential Preferred Realty, RE/MAX Associate Brokers, Valley Realty and Walker Professional Associates.

Inspectors' qualifications
Our inspectors have received extensive training at the American Home Inspectors Training Institute.   They are certified members of the American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®), the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, and are certified as Pesticide Applicators/Inspectors by the PA Department of Agriculture.   In addition, our Radon Technicians have passed the U.S. EPA's Radon Proficiency Program and have obtained Certification for Radon testing from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

About ASHI® and membership
Since Pennsylvania has not yet instituted licensing of home inspectors, the best way of judging the integrity of a home inspector is to look at the associations to which he belongs.   Our inspectors are members of ASHI®, the the oldest and most respected professional association of home inspectors in North America.   It was formed in 1976 as a not-for-profit organization to build public awareness of home inspection and to enhance the technical and professional performance of home inspectors.   To qualify for membership, a candidate must have performed a minimum of 250 fee-paid inspections, and have passed two rigorous exams.   To remain a certified member of ASHI®, 20 credit hours of continuing education is required annually in order to keep abreast of the changes within the building industry.

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HOW TO CONTACT US

For more information or to schedule a home inspection, give us a call at

(724) 495-2331.

We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

We may also be reached via FAX at (724) 495-2051

or EMAIL at info@JLCampInspections.com.

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OTHER USEFUL LINKS FOR THE INFORMED HOMEBUYER

• American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®) Web Site
• Pittsburgh Regional Organization of the American Society of Home Inspectors (PRO-ASHI)
• U.S. EPA's Information on Indoor Air Quality, Radon Page
• PA DEP's Bureau of Radiation Protection, Radon Division Page
• Links to Consumer Protection Information (ASHI® web site)

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J. L. Camp Inspection Services, Inc.
6006 Forest Drive;   Monaca, PA     15061
(724) 495-2331

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