Buying a house? Selling a house? Whether you're buying a house or considering selling your own, a home inspection from Tri-County Inspections of the Greater Cleveland area is designed to provide you with the information you'll need to inform your decisions. Buyers: A home inspection when you’re the buyer is critical to negotiating a fair price based on maintenance due and other anticipated expenses – or to discover that the home has little to no deferred maintenance and pursue your purchase with more vigor and confidence. Sellers: Getting a thorough home inspection before you list a home can determine if there are updates that will come-up when the potential buyer gets a home inspection and allow you to make repairs and upgrades before you list, or to price the home accordingly and eliminate surprises.
Below our some interesting posts that should help set your expectations regarding home inspections. Call us to schedule your inspection today!
Why an Attic Inspection Matters – Especially During the Winter in Cleveland
During the winter months here in the Cleveland area, we often hear the same question from homeowners: “If the roof is covered in snow, how can you tell what’s going on?” The short answer is — we look in the attic. In this recent inspection, Mike from Tri-County Inspections took a look at the attic of a home built around 2006. From the outside, the roof was completely snow-covered. There was no way to visually assess the shingles or roof surface. But once inside the attic, the story became very clear. What We Found During This Attic Inspection As soon…
Don’t Waste Your Money on a Cleveland Lead Risk Assessment Before Fixing These Issues
If you’re a Cleveland homeowner or landlord scheduling a lead risk assessment, there’s one thing you should know up front: not every property is ready to be tested. At Tri-County Inspections, we perform Cleveland lead risk assessments regularly, and one of the first questions we ask before scheduling is simple: Is there any chipping or peeling paint? That question alone can save you time, frustration, and money. Cleveland’s lead regulations are strict, and for good reason. If a property has active hazards – such as peeling paint or other visible issues the city would flag – the assessment cannot be…
Home Inspection Reveals In-Slab Clay Ductwork: Hidden Expense for Homebuyers
When you are buying a home built on a slab foundation, one of the most vulnerable and overlooked components is the ductwork embedded beneath the concrete. During a recent inspection, Mike from Tri-County Inspections uncovered a significant issue that would have gone completely unnoticed without a professional evaluation: cracked, deteriorating in-slab clay tile ductwork. These ducts are buried beneath the slab, out of sight and out of mind. For a homebuyer, that usually means you won’t know what condition they are in until someone with the right tools and experience takes a closer look. In this case, the ductwork was…
Lead Safe Certification Cleveland: Lead Abatement Incentives for Landlords
Lead Safe Certification Cleveland A new report from Spectrum News, “Cleveland attempts to increase speed of lead abatement,” highlights an important issue in Cleveland: too many older homes still contain dangerous lead hazards, and many landlords are struggling to stay ahead of the city’s lead-safe requirements. With rental properties built before 1978 making up a large portion of Cleveland’s housing stock, obtaining a Lead Safe Certification Cleveland is essential for both safety and compliance. As the article notes, community organizations and city leaders are pushing for stronger lead abatement measures to protect children and stabilize neighborhoods. While the city offers…
Lead Testing in Cleveland Ohio Has Changed: Landlords Getting Lead-Safe Violations
Why Many Cleveland Landlords Are Getting Lead Violations A recent report from Signal Cleveland revealed a significant rise in violations tied to Cleveland’s lead-safe law. According to the investigation, the city has issued more than 277 civil tickets to landlords whose rental homes failed lead-related requirements, and only a small percentage have brought their properties into compliance. This issue highlights the confusion many property owners face as the rules around Lead Testing in Cleveland Ohio continue to evolve. For landlords managing older homes, understanding the new requirements is more important than ever. Tri-County Inspections is here to help you make…
Home Inspectors Tips: Service Lines Inspection
At Tri-County Inspections, we know that a thorough home inspection includes looking at all aspects of a property—both inside and out. In a recent video, our inspector, Mike Vakos, discussed a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of home safety: Service Lines Inspection. Whether it’s electrical, phone, or cable lines, understanding their impact on your home is essential. Why a Service Lines Inspection Matters During a Service Lines Inspection, one common issue we find is contact between service lines and the home’s exterior. In the video, Mike highlights an older home where phone and cable lines are rubbing against the shingles….
Window Inspection Reveals Safety Concerns
The Importance of Window Inspection: A Crucial Safety Check At Tri-County Inspections, a home inspection company in the Cleveland area, we prioritize your safety and the functionality of your home. In a recent video, our inspector, Mike Vakos, highlighted an often-overlooked issue during a window inspection—a loose sash. This might not seem like a big deal at first, but as Mike demonstrates, it can pose a significant safety risk. Why a Loose Sash is a Concern During a window inspection, one common defect we find is a loose sash. In the video, Mike walks us through an attic space where…
Should I Buy a House With Bowing Basement Walls?
When you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, few things can raise concerns like discovering bowing basement walls. But does this mean the deal is off the table? Not necessarily. Understanding what bowing walls indicate and the role a professional home inspection plays can make all the difference. What Are Bowing Basement Walls? Bowing basement walls occur when the walls curve inward, often due to pressure from the surrounding soil. In the Cleveland area this can be caused by poor drainage, expansive clay soils, or freeze-thaw cycles. While it might seem alarming, bowing walls aren’t always a…
Why Inspecting Your Garage Door is Crucial: A Home Inspector’s Perspective
In a recent video, Mike Vakos from Tri County Inspections discusses a critical aspect of home safety that often gets overlooked: inspecting your garage door. You might not think of your garage door as a potential hazard, but as part of a comprehensive home inspection, it’s essential to ensure everything works smoothly. Key Areas of a Garage Door We Inspect When inspecting your garage door, we focus on a few important components: Garage Door Opener: We ensure the door opener works as it should, whether it’s manual or automatic. This is a vital part of your garage door system. Photo…
Crawl Space Inspections: Nothing Will Scare Us Away
In a recent video, Mike Vakos from Tri County Inspections delves into the often overlooked but crucial aspect of home inspections: the crawl space inspection. While basements and slab foundations are more straightforward to assess, crawl spaces present unique challenges that require a trained eye and a willingness to get a little dirty. The Unseen World Beneath Your Home Mike begins by highlighting the differences between inspecting basements, slabs, and crawl spaces. Basements are easy to navigate, and slabs, though they require attention, don’t involve going below grade. Crawl spaces, however, are a different story. They are often confined and…
Cleveland Home Inspection: Chimney Issues
In this video, Mike Vakos from Tri County Inspections is completing an inspection with chimney issues. He takes us through the exterior inspection of a house, focusing particularly on a masonry chimney. As he begins, he points out the noticeable issue with the chimney pulling apart from the house—a clear sign of structural concern. Mike emphasizes the significance of chimney inspections, highlighting that they are often overlooked by homeowners due to their location atop the house. He underscores the importance of regular maintenance and repair for chimneys, as neglecting them can lead to significant issues over time. The phrase “inspecting…
Amish Built Home Inspection? Yes, We Do That Too!
Hey there, home enthusiasts! It’s Mike Vakos from Tri-County Inspections, and I’ve got a new inspection video to share with you today. Picture this: rolling hills, scenic vistas, and the charm of rural Ohio. Now, add a dash of uniqueness to the scene—an Amish built home inspection. In the heart of this picturesque landscape, I found myself tasked with inspecting a home crafted by the skilled hands of the Amish community. It was a one-of-a-kind experience, and I’m eager to take you on this journey with me. Never Compromise Thoroughness First off, let’s address the elephant in the room—power, or…
Cleveland Home Inspection Finds Broken Spring on Garage Door
What do you know about garage doors? Well if you don’t know everything there is to know about them Mike Vakos from Tri-County Inspections provides some insight from a recent inspection and blog post. In a recent video recorded by Mike Vakos of Tri County Inspections, the focus was on the often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of home inspections: garage door inspections. As a seasoned professional in the realm of home inspections, Mike highlights the significance of thorough assessments of garage doors and their associated hardware to ensure safety and functionality for homeowners. “Hey guys, Mike here from Tri County Inspections, and…
Black Mold? Can a Home Inspector Tell?
In today’s discussion, we’re delving into the often misunderstood topic of mold. Mold is a concern for many homeowners, prompting questions and requests for specialized inspections. Join us as Mike Vakos, a seasoned home inspector from Tri-County Inspections, sheds light on this pervasive issue. As Mike begins his inspection at a property in Cleveland, he encounters a common scenario: signs of moisture seeping into the garage walls and floor. Amidst this, he emphasizes the importance of understanding mold’s varied appearances. “When you look up here,” Mike points out, “people often ask, ‘Is it black mold?’ The truth is, you can’t…
New Construction and Pre-drywall Inspections
In a recent video by Mike Vakos of Tri County Inspections, the spotlight was on the significance of new construction and pre-drywall inspections in the home building process. Mike, a seasoned professional in the realm of home inspections, sheds light on a common misconception among homeowners. That the is belief that a brand-new house doesn’t require inspections. “Hello everyone, in today’s video, real quick, I wanted to talk to you about new construction and pre-drywall inspections,” Mike begins, diving straight into the heart of the matter. He elucidates that while it’s tempting to assume that a new home would be…
Are GFCI Outlets Required in Basements? Cleveland Home Inspector Answers!
Are you familiar with GFCI outlets? Mike Vakos from Tri-County Inspections sheds light on their significance in today’s blog post. In a recent video, Mike emphasizes the importance of GFCI outlets, also known as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, commonly encountered during home inspections. These outlets play a crucial role in ensuring electrical safety, particularly in areas prone to moisture. According to Mike, GFCI outlets are a staple requirement in specific locations within homes. They are mandated in spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, garages, and unfinished areas—essentially, any place with potential exposure to water. But why the emphasis on unfinished…
Cleveland Flipped Home Inspection: Water Temperature Issues
Plumbing issues are one of those things you do not want to uncover in your newly purchased home. Honestly, no homebuyer wants to uncover any issues at all after purchasing a new home. Flipped homes specifically may call for greater attention to the details. How can you avoid the headaches of costly plumbing repairs or repairs of any kind that requires hiring a specialized contractor? Choose a highly qualified home inspector, who goes through your prospective new home with a “fine tooth comb”. Tri County Inspectors give attention and detail from top to bottom and inside and out. When our…
Cleveland Home Inspection Reveals Galvanized Pipe Problem
A Home Inspection can be an invaluable tool when buying a new home. That is especially true when your “new home” is an “old home.” Most buyers are not equipped with the knowledge about what “red flags” to look for in older homes. That’s where you should leave it to the professionals. Mike at Tri-County Inspections is an experienced and licensed home inspector serving all ten counties in the greater Cleveland area. As the owner and lead inspector he has completed over 1,000 home inspections. He genuinely loves to help buyers in their journey to owning a new home and…
When a Flipped Home Inspection Finds Missing Water Meter
Have you found yourself wanting to buy a freshly flipped and renovated home? While the “newness” and upgrades of the home may be very appealing, don’t get caught overlooking possible major mistakes. When a home is flipped or renovated to sell there is usually an aggressive timeline to finish it and get it sold. But, you don’t have to be on the receiving end of important details overlooked. That is an undeniable reason a thorough and detailed home inspection is so important. At Tri-County Inspections we only offer the most qualified inspector who will complete the most comprehensive inspection of…
Prelisting Inspection Reveals Rotting Trim and Mold in Attic
A prelisting home inspection from Tri County Home Inspections offers sellers invaluable insight into the condition of their property before it hits the market. These sellers, by engaging the expertise of a qualified home inspector, gained a comprehensive understanding of any underlying issues or potential concerns within their home. As it turns out, their home has no big issues that would lengthen the buying process. We found some rotting trim and a minor attic ventilation issue that can easily be addressed before listing the house for sale. This proactive approach allows sellers to address repairs or updates in advance, ultimately…
