• The Different Types of Inspections You May Need When Buying a Home

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    When you're in the process of buying a home, it's essential to ensure that your investment is sound and free from potential issues. Home inspections play a critical role in this process, helping you uncover hidden problems and make an informed decision. At Elementary Property Inspections, we offer a range of inspection services to assist homebuyers in the Niagara Region and Hamilton. In this blog, we will explore the various types of inspections you may need when purchasing a home to ensure your peace of mind.

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  • How Often Should You Schedule a Septic Inspection?

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    Regular septic inspections are a crucial part of home maintenance, ensuring that your septic system functions properly and preventing costly repairs down the road. In this blog, we will explore the frequency of septic inspections and provide valuable insights on when and why you should schedule them.

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  • Common Sump Pump Defects

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    Your basement is a crucial part of your home, and keeping it dry and free from water damage is essential. Sump pumps play a vital role in safeguarding your basement against flooding and excess moisture. However, like any mechanical system, sump pumps can develop defects that compromise their effectiveness. In this guide, we will explore three common sump pump defects that homeowners should be aware of to ensure the safety and integrity of their homes

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  • What To Do If Your Basement Floods

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    Your basement is a valuable part of your home, often used for storage or as a functional living space. However, it's also one of the most vulnerable areas when it comes to water damage. Basement flooding can occur due to various reasons, from heavy rainfall to plumbing issues. In this guide, we'll explore what you should do if your basement floods, providing you with essential steps to mitigate damage and protect your property

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  • Unveiling the Benefits of Thermal Imaging in Home Inspections

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    When it comes to purchasing a new home or assessing the condition of your current one, the importance of a thorough home inspection cannot be overstated. At Elementary Property Inspections, we believe that a home inspection is more than just a cursory look into the property; it's about providing you with a comprehensive understanding of your home. With Eric's extensive experience in home renovation and construction knowledge, our inspections aim to empower you with insights into your property's condition and the functionality of its systems. In this blog post, we'll explore the invaluable role of thermal imaging in the home inspection process, shedding light on how it enhances our ability to serve you better

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  • Home Inspection Services: Choosing the Right Inspector for Your Needs

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    When it comes to buying a home, there's no room for compromise. You want to make sure that your investment is sound, safe, and free from any hidden surprises. That's where a professional home inspector comes in. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of choosing the right home inspector for your needs and why Elementary Property Inspections is the trusted choice for comprehensive and reliable home inspection services in the Niagara, Ontario area.
     

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  • A Dive into Swimming Pool Inspections: Essential Checks While Buying a Home

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    Imagine the joy of owning a home with a beautiful swimming pool—a place where you can relax, exercise, and create lasting memories with your loved ones. If you're considering buying a property with a pool, it's essential to understand the importance of a thorough swimming pool inspection. In this blog, we'll dive into the key aspects of swimming pool inspections and why they are crucial before making your purchase.

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  • The Importance of Septic Inspection While Buying a Home

    Posted by: Eric Van Riesen |

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    As you envision your future in this idyllic setting, it's easy to get swept away by the excitement of purchasing your new abode. However, amid the whirlwind of home-buying, there's one crucial element that you shouldn't overlook – the septic system. Yes, beneath the surface lies a hidden hero that plays a vital role in your home's sanitation and well-being. Conducting a septic inspection may not be the most glamorous part of the home-buying process, but it is an absolutely essential one. However, before you sign on the dotted line, there's a crucial aspect you shouldn't overlook—the septic system. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of septic inspection when purchasing a home and why it should be a top priority for any prospective buyer.
     

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  • Thermal Imaging Cameras and Home Inspections

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

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    Thermal imaging or Infrared cameras (IR) have been steadily gaining popularity with home inspectors over the past twenty years now. Professional inspectors want to provide a more thorough inspection. It is also because the next generation of home buyers are more technically savvy and expects the use of all available technology for their prospective home’s inspection.

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  • What every homeowner should know about the home inspection process

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

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    A Niagara-based industry expert answers your questions, including how to find the best home inspector

    Having questions about home inspections is only natural since it’s not a process many of us will go through very often. Eric van Riesen RHI, a certified home inspector and owner of Elementary Property Inspections gives us the scoop on what every homeowner should know.

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  • Season’s Greetings from Elementary Property Inspections

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

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    Elementary Property Inspections wishes you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season and a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year 2023!

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  • 6 CAUSES OF BASEMENT MOISTURE (AND HOW TO FIX THEM)

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    6 CAUSES OF BASEMENT MOISTURE (AND HOW TO FIX THEM)

    Got a wet basement? Basement moisture is not an uncommon problem. In fact, basements are notoriously dark and damp places. Yet however common it may be, moisture in your basement can be bad news. Unfortunately for homeowners, a little bit of moisture can turn into a big problem. From structural damage to toxic mold that is hazardous to your health, basement moisture can cause major issues for your home. So, what exactly are the causes of basement moisture? And more importantly, what can you do to fix it?

    Let’s start at the beginning. First, how do you know if you have moisture in your basement? It is important to be able to identify the warning signs and symptoms. The signs of basement moisture may not be as obvious as a puddle of water on the floor. In fact, there are numerous ways in which moisture can present itself in your basement. Here’s a quick list of a few things to look for:

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  • Eliminate Price Concessions with a Pre-List Home Inspection 120 Day Warranty

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    Eliminate Price Concessions with a Pre-List Home Inspection 120 Day Warranty

    The pandemic may not be over, but the pandemic-era housing market boom certainly is. Since the Bank of Canada began hiking its policy rate in March, home resales have fallen 31% and (benchmark) prices almost 6% nationwide, in July. Most of Ontario have seen even greater drops. And the bottom is likely many months away still as our central bank has more work to do—we expect a further 100 basis-point rate increase to 3.5% by the fall. With the balance of power having dramatically shifted in their favour, buyers will be able to continue extracting price concessions from sellers for some time to come.

    The trick for sellers is how can you effectively market your home to ensure a quicker sale, with less negotiations and full market price following a home inspection?

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  • I HAVE CAST IRON WASTE LINES IN MY HOME. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

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    At Elementary Property Inspections, as we perform home inspections throughout the Niagara Region, we often identify older homes with cast iron waste piping. They often look to be in good condition. Should the buyer be concerned?

    Cast iron plumbing systems originated in France during the seventeenth century, installing the first large-scale cast iron pipes, contributing as the forerunners to Europe’s sewer history. They believed it was the most robust material to transport water and sewage to a certain distance.

    If you live in a home that was built before 1970, chances are high that your waste plumbing system consists of cast iron pipes. Cast iron pipes can corrode over time compromising their structural integrity. Installing this material was a highly labor-intensive job that only the wealthy could afford. Up to this day, it’s an expensive method of choice; and for that reason, PVC became the most common choice for building flexible and durable lines in more modern homes.

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  • Protecting your interests

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

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    You need more than just a home inspection; you need the professionals you can trust on even after the job is done. That’s why we are proud to highlight our 90-day limited warranty program. Unlike many of our competitors who do not offer any warranty services, at Elementary Property Inspections, we include our 90-day limited warranty with every full inspection we perform at no additional cost.

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  • Is Old Knob And Tube Wiring Dangerous Or Safe?

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    Is Old Knob and Tube Wiring Dangerous or Safe - Blog by Elementary Property Inspections

    Old knob and tube wiring can be a fire hazard. The wiring’s rubber-based insulation, in many cases, has not held up well over time. Exposure to heat and air causes the rubber to become brittle and crack flake, or char. As a result, the damaged insulation can no longer protect the wire inside, making your home a fire risk.

    No Ground Wiring

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  • UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES OF GFCI AND AFCI OUTLETS

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    Understanding the Differences of GFCI and AFCI Outlets - Blog by Elementary Property Inspections

    What would we do without electricity? Most of us would experience a crisis if we had to adjust to life without electricity at home or work, especially since nearly every activity in our day-to-day lives depends on electricity, whether directly or indirectly.

    Fortunately, electricity in homes and businesses is much safer today than it was in years past. Many of the older homes that we inspect lack the safety features that are standard in new homes. Fault circuit interrupters are one way that electricity has been made much safer. Perhaps the most widely known interrupter is the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), though another type of interrupter – the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) – is also commonly found in homes and businesses.

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  • What's the Big Deal About Reversed Polarity?

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    When inspecting homes in the Niagara Region and beyond, we often come across one or more outlets that have reverse polarity, especially in older homes. When we inspect houses where an amateur has been doing electrical work, there’s a good chance we’ll find outlets with reversed polarity. This happens when the hot and neutral wires get flipped around at an outlet, or upstream from an outlet. Reversed polarity creates a potential shock hazard, but it’s usually an easy repair.

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  • New Service Announcement: Septic Inspections Now Available At Elementary Property Inspections

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    New Service Announcement - Septic Inspections Now Available at Elementary Property Inspections

    For several years, Elementary Property Inspections has excelled in home and commercial inspections in the Niagara Region. Our well-trained and certified experts have met and exceeded the expectations of many customers and have been recognized for the same. The aim behind our flawless services isn’t to make a quick buck or deem sellers in bad people. Through our services, we want to educate our clients about prospective properties so they can make smart decisions.

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  • Top Five Things to Look for When Hiring a Home Inspector

    Posted by: Elementary Property Inspections |

    Top Five Things to Look for When Hiring a Home Inspector - Blog by Elementary Property Inspections

    It’s no secret that buying a home is a huge financial and emotional commitment. Most of us purchase a home just a few times in our lifetime, and it’s crucial to make a well-informed decision since there’s a lot of money at stake. Home buying involves many steps and getting your future home inspected is an indispensable step in the run-up to the purchase. A home inspection is your opportunity to get a knowledgeable assessment of the home you are going to buy, which is why hiring the right home inspector is a must.

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