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!
Home Inspector Does “Gross”
Do you have a property in poor condition? Are you looking at a property that is a total mess? Many home inspectors will turn down an inspection of a home with areas that could be toxic with mold, biohazards, animal waste, ect. Do not bypass an inspection because it is difficult to find an inspector; Tri-County Inspections is not afraid to take on gross. At Tri-County we have the equipment to keep our inspectors safe so that they can prepare a proper inspection of a house in unsanitary conditions. As an owner of rental properties in Cleveland himself, Mike Vakos…
Home Inspector Finds Rotting Wood Siding
Our home inspector, Mike Vakos, shows how soil and mulch built up against wooden siding can, and does, cause rotting wood. He explains what to look for in this Avon Lake Home Inspection. When you’re buying a home the last thing you’re looking at is the exterior soil and mulch and whether or not it is in contact with the siding. That is one reason why getting a home inspection is so important. Leave it to a professional to give guidance as to whether or not a house will be a good investment. Finding a thorough home inspector means you…
Akron Home Inspection: Underground Drainage Tips
In today’s market we know many homebuyers are considering forgoing the home inspection as they are trying to win in a multiple bid situation, and we understand. However, we can give you countless reasons why you should get a home inspection. Buying a home may prove to be your biggest investment and you do not want to leave anything unknown and uncovered. Having a home inspection can save you money and give you leverage to negotiate the purchase price. Mike Vakos, owner and lead home inspector of Tri-County Inspections, adds short informational videos to the Tri-County YouTube Channel to help buyers…
Mouse In Electrical Panel: Caught In Home Inspection
Wondering if you should get a home inspection? Why should you get one and what is it for anyway? At Tri-County Inspections we’re regularly making videos of things that often come up in a home inspection. We know buyers may be tempted to skip the home inspection in order to win a bid. Mike Vakos, owner and lead home inspector of Tri-County Inspections, wants to remind buyers that if you waive the home inspection when making the offer it is still wise to get the home inspection before moving in. A home inspection will inspect all the components that make…
Electrical Hazards Addressed in an Elyria Home Inspection
Cleveland is a sellers market, so why get a Cleveland home inspection? With homes selling so fast, you may be tempted to skip getting a home inspection, especially if you find yourself in a multiple bid situation. Check out this post, “Should I Waive the Home Inspection in a Seller’s Market to Win a Multiple Bid Situation?” Mike Vakos, owner and lead home inspector at Tri-County Inspections makes short videos to help new home buyers understand the types of preventative measures you can uncover in a home inspection, like this rusted meter and corroded electrical wires found at this Elyria home…
Double Tapped Breaker: What A Cleveland Home Inspector Finds
Wondering if you really need a home inspection? What is the purpose of a home inspection and what are you likely to find? At Tri-County Inspections we regularly take videos of common issues like today’s topic of double tapped breakers. We know as buyers hope to come up with the best accepted offer, they may consider opting not to get the home inspection. Mike Vakos, owner and lead home inspector of Tri-County Inspections, wants to remind buyers that if you waive the home inspection when making the offer it is not too late, but still wise to get the home…
Home Inspection Finds Missing Gutters
How important are gutters to a detached garage? This may be a detail you could overlook without a qualified home inspector. Even your detached garage needs to have proper drainage of water in order to avoid damage over time. Standing water that is not directed away from a structure, in this case a garage, will cause damage and possibly even mold growth. At Tri-County Inspections, a home inspection company in the Cleveland area, we make time to inspect the roof, even the ones on a detached structure. In addition, we want to make sure you will not purchase a home…
Flat Roof: What You Need to Know
Problematic Rolled Roofing Are you knowledgeable about flat roofs, their construction, and the materials used? If you said no, then you know a home inspection is really important when purchasing a new home. Therefore, if you can spot potential or present problems in a roof you can make an informed decision about the home you want to purchase. When a roof is flat, it can be commonly found for the roof to be covered with rolled roofing material. The rolled roof is installed as opposed to roof shingles and then the seams connecting the rolled roofing are tarred. Furthermore this…
Cleveland Home Inspector Explains GFCI Outlets
If you are purchasing a new home, you may have some questions regarding GFCI outlets in your new home. More specifically which outlets in a downstream need to be GFCI Outlets. You may not be extremely knowledgeable about the electrical requirements in your new home and that’s why it is so important to have an experienced and qualified inspector. A GFCI outlet or a Ground-Fault Circuit Interruptor is put in place to protect you from electrical shock. When you plug in an appliance, the GFCI outlet will track the amount of power flowing to the device. If the GFCI detects…
Amherst Roof Inspection:Spotting Amateur Repairs
If you are purchasing a new home, a roof inspection to spot amateur repairs and other potential problems will be important. Are you familiar with the parts of a roof and chimney? Would you be able to spot a sloppy repair to your potential new home? One important part of a chimney is the flashing that is a roof flashing. You should find roof flashing at the base of a chimney that creates a waterproof seal to protect your chimney and roof from water damage and penetration. Any damage to the flashing on the chimney or even a sloppy repair…
Commercial Inspection: Standing Water on Roof
There are many commercial properties that are designed with flat roofs. When a commercial inspection reveals standing water on the roof, are you aware of specific things to consider and have inspected about a flat roof when purchasing a property? When Tri-County Inspections Owner, Mike Vakos evaluates the Roof of a Cleveland Commercial Property he points out several important factors about flat roofs and why they might be holding standing water. A flat roof should have a roof drain in order to get rid of water in the event of heavy rains. If anything is plugging or obstructing the roof…
Cleveland Lead Safe Certification. Video 3: Dust Wipe Samples
If you’re a Cleveland landlord you are likely trying to understand the Cleveland Lead Safe Certification process. When do you need to get your properties tested? Does Cleveland send out their lead testers? As the landlord, what are your requirements, costs and deadlines? As a certified Cleveland lead clearance technician, we aim to answer your questions quickly and simply in a short 3 video series. Lead Safe Certification: Brief Overview Videos Mike Vakos, owner and head home inspector of Tri-County Inspections, is also a landlord and a Cleveland lead tester. Before becoming a certified lead clearance technician even Mike, an…
Cleveland Lead Testing. Video 2: The Visual Inspection
Most Cleveland landlords are scratching their heads about this whole Cleveland lead testing process. When do I have to get my Cleveland investment properties tested for lead? How is the lead safe program enforced? What type of improvements will I have to make in order to pass the Cleveland lead testing process and when? These and many other questions can be answered at our FAQs page, “How Do I Get Lead Certifications on My Cleveland Properties?” and we also made three short videos that give you a brief overview – without needing to read through a bunch of details. Cleveland…
Cleveland Lead Tester Video 1: What is the Lead Clearance Test Process (CliffsNotes)
If you’re looking for a Cleveland lead tester, chances are you have to be slightly confused about the whole Lead Safe Certification process in Cleveland. Why? Because it’s confusing. At Tri-County Inspections we’ve put together three short videos, because if you’re like us – short is just the right amount of time for your attention span. We also added a page on the website for frequently asked questions “How Do I Get Lead Certifications on My Cleveland Properties?” Mike Vakos: Cleveland Lead Tester The videos, made by your Cleveland lead tester, Mike Vakos, owner and head home inspector at Tri-County…
Mold? IAQ Testing In Your Home Inspection
An “IAQ” test, or indoor air quality test can test the air in your home for harmful particles such as mold, allergens, and radon. If you suspect mold present, you may need and Air quality test. Testing the air is the first step in determining if your new home may have mold present. At Tri-County Inspections, a home inspection company in the Cleveland area, we are experienced and ready to perform an air quality test in your prospective home. We can either give you the assurance that the air in your home is free of harmful mold spores, or we…
A Broken Window Sash is a Safety Concern
A Window Sash is the part of a window that moves and holds glass panes together. The window sash fits inside the window frame and should hold your window in the open position when it is lifted open. When a window sash is broken or malfunctioning it can become a real safety concern. In this instance, when the window is lifted to the open position, it would not stay open but would instead come crashing down to close. This can be a real safety concern if there ever is a fire in the home and you would need to escape out…
Roof Leaks by the Chimney? Should You Have a Chimney Cricket?
Some people call them chimney crickets, some call them roof crickets, and they’re referred to as chimney saddles, too. Although technically a chimney saddle is slightly different from a chimney cricket, they are so similar that the phrases have become interchangeable. In all cases the chimney cricket, roof cricket, a.k.a saddle, is used to divert water on a roof. We live in the Cleveland, Ohio area so we get plenty of rain and snow. The last thing you want is water pooling up anywhere on your roof where it can become saturated, permeate layers, and over time cause rot and…
Attics Important to Home Inspectors in Cleveland
At Tri-County Inspections, a Cleveland, Ohio home inspection company, we go out of our way to set aside substantial time to inspect the attic in all our Cleveland home inspections. Not only does a thorough inspection of the attic help explain major components of energy efficiency and ventilation, but the attic also holds the secrets to other things like mold, past water entry, leaks, rodents and other pest infestations, electrical concerns that could lead to fire damage, past fire damage and potential structural issues. Cleveland Attic Inspections Reveal Mold, Electrical Hazards and Mice Although this particular video is about a…
What to do About Two Prong Outlets
Earlier this year we posted about our most common electrical issues that come up in a home inspection and provided some answers about two prong outlets in our post “Two-Prong Outlets: What Does the Home Inspector Say?” That post is the most popular on our page so it has become evident that home owners, home buyers and maybe even home investors are unclear about whether or not a two prong electrical outlet is safe. With construction in Cuyahoga County booming in the 1950s, many homes we inspect were built prior to the adoption of three prong outlets as standard electrical…
Cleveland Home Inspection Helps Catch Expensive Plumbing Leaks
Cleveland is a sellers market, so why get a Cleveland home inspection? Realtor.com declares “Cleveland, OH is a seller’s market … which means that there are more people looking to buy than there are homes available.” Cleveland home buyers could worry getting a home inspection could hurt their chances of buying a home – especially in a multiple bid situation. Read “Should I Waive the Home Inspection in a Seller’s Market to Win a Multiple Bid Situation?” Mike Vakos, owner and lead home inspector at Tri-County Inspections began making short videos to help new home buyers understand the types of preventative…
