By: Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
During a recent home inspection, I was amazed to learn that my inspector does not include environmental hazards. This was my main concern, but this inspector insisted that this was outside the scope of a standard home inspection. What gives? - Bill
Dear Bill,
Some home inspectors perform environmental hazard inspections as an additional service for an added fee, but for most inspectors these are outside the scope of their normal services. Examples of such hazards are asbestos, formaldehyde, radon gas, lead paint, surface and airborne molds, electro-magnetic fields and more. However, with commonly recognized asbestos-containing materials, such as "cottage cheese ceilings" or air duct insulation, a prudent inspector will advise buyers that materials "may contain asbestos" and provide further advisement. Likewise, where mold stains are apparent or where musty odors are present, a competent inspector will recommend further evaluation by a mold specialist.
As with the exclusion on code related disclosures, this is an area where exceptions to the rules are unavoidable.
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our "