Abbey's Inspections Are Done By....

• A State Professional Civil Engineer qualified for Structural problems.
• Certified by Electric and Gas utilities to perform residential energy audits.
• Qualified Environmental Engineer.
• ASHI qualified member.

What You Should Expect From A Home Inspection Service?

• Qualified and experienced inspector.... Abbey provides an inspector who is uniquely qualified with over 13 years experience in home and environmental inspections plus 25 years in consulting engineering.
• Take the necessary time...Typical inspections take from 2 to 3 hours.
• Work only for the client's interest... Abbey makes this commitment to the Client to avoid conflicts of interest.
• Provide the necessary reports... Abbey offers understandable and complete reports. You will get a commentary/check list field report followed by a narrative typed summary with repair and improvement recommendations.
• Important problems covered... Abbey does structural inspections at no extra cost.
• Followup assistance... is provided by Abbey at no extra cost. We realize that there can be a need for assistance even several years after an inspection.

What Abbey inspects...

1. Soil grading and elevation position of property relative to the immediate neighborhood. Most important to basement water entry problems.
2. Roof surface ...remaining life estimate.
3. Driveways, walks, patio, deck, porch.
4. Windows...condition of caulking, glazing, storms, and panes.
5. Gutters ...rust, extension, pitch, or splash block problems
6. Siding & Trim ...cause of cracks or separations or peeling paint.
7. Electrical service lines ...proper loops, clearance and condition.
8. Electrical service in-house ... panel box inspection for code violations,overfusing, power adequacy. Circuit testing at outlets.
9. Structural integrity ... house & foundation. Sags and humps in roofs and floors, wall separations, foundation cracks, differential settlement problems.
10. Garage ...Structural integrity, door opener safety check, roof.
11. Attic condition ...ventilation adequacy, insulation level, exhaust & whole house fans, internal moisture problems.
12. Interior conditions ...windows & doors operations, floors, walls & ceilings.
13. Appliances.... oven, range, dishwasher, disposal, & refrigerator operation
14. Plumbing fixtures ... toilet bowl, bath,shower, jacuzzi, faucets and drains.
15. Plumbing ... check for water, sewer, and gas leaks. Rust and galvanic corrosion.
16. Water heater ... relief valve and flue gas venting, capacity and condition.
17. Furnace/Boiler...tested for operating safety with proper venting of flue gases. Cursory inspection of heat exchanger with flashlight and mirror. Efficiency rating, estimated age and condition. Humidifier inspected.
18. Air Conditioner...tested for proper temperature drop during operation. Check for adequate tonnage. Age and condition.
19. Water Entry...in basement or crawl space. Seepage thru wall cracks or general seepage thru masonry walls. Sewer back-ups.Sump pump systems and drain tile.
20. Chimneys & Fireplaces... flue pipe checked from fireplace opening. Damper operation. Firebrick and hearth condition. Chimney from ground with binoculars.

Energy Audit

An informal energy audit is available with Abbey by providing the experience of several hundred formal computerized residential energy audits to each inspection. Recommendations for improvements to the home for energy and dollar savings are made by an Auditor certified by the electric and gas utilities.

It is common to see costly additions of insulation and equipment in homes which do not reduce energy costs or improve comfort levels as intended. Homeowners get better direction after an Abbey inspection by discussion in the walk-thru and by items highlighted in reports

Value Of a Quality Inspection

The ultimate value of a quality home inspection is avoiding the purchase of a "money pit" which refers to homes which require prohibitive outlays of money and effort to attain the desired livable condition. "Money pit" problems are usually structural, water entry or thermal property related. Abbey is uniquely qualified to address these problems.

There is also the normal value of a good home inspection in addressing existing problems and providing direction for repairs and improvements. The accumulated estimated costs provide a bottom line as a basis for decisions in the purchase of the house.

When a buyer takes part in the home inspection, he or she will learn the workings and details of the house. Even when very few problems are found in an inspection, the information and the peace of mind provided should be worth more than the cost of our service.

Radon Test

Abbey uses Honeywell continuous reading Radon monitors which yield instant test results for each 4 hour period during the minimum 2 day period prescribed by the EPA. The monitor is more accurate and tamper resistant than other testing methods.