Get matched with top chimney inspectors in Owls Head, ME

Whether or not you use your home inspection results to negotiate with a seller depends on how badly you want the property, what you’re willing to pay for repairs post-closing, and how strong the market is in your area. If a seller has other offers to consider, they may walk away from yours if you try to renegotiate based on your inspection results. Speak with your agent, who should attend the home inspection, about the best course of action, and consider how badly you want or need the property.

The only way to determine if you have a radon problem in your home is to have professional testing done. You can buy DIY radon test kits, but these are sometimes inaccurate in certain temperatures and humidity levels, and they don’t paint the entire picture in terms of your radon exposure. Scheduling testing once every two to five years is best. You can also look out for the following symptoms, which, according to the American Cancer Society, are symptoms of radon exposure:

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Tightness in the chest

• Difficulty swallowing

• Hoarseness

You can call a professional septic company to inspect your tank and leach field if you suspect too much weight has been on it. An inspection is a good idea if you recently purchased the home and the septic system isn’t working like you expected. The professionals can determine whether a previous owner damaged it by placing too much weight on it.

There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.

• Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion

• Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.

• Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.

• Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.