The EPA reports that more than 23 million Americans rely on wells for their home’s water. Because these properties aren’t on water systems managed or maintained by local government agencies, extra testing is required to insure there is sufficient supply and pressure for laundry, washing dishes, nightly bubble baths, cooking, or drinking. Vancouver-based home inspectors from Details Home Inspections offer well flow testing throughout Southwest Washington, the greater Portland area, and beyond.
Their simplified well system inspections and well flow tests are non-invasive processes which don’t require taking things apart or complicated, muddy maneuvering. Inspector Brian Ross explains that both are designed to estimate the amount of water you’ll see coming through internal fixtures like sinks and showers. There are minimum requirements for this flow rate and results are important, for example, to buyers looking for their first, next, or forever home.
Avid watchers of HGTV have seen many house hunters test the pressure in kitchens and bathrooms. Water isn’t just pumped from point A to point B; it travels through an unseen maze before reaching you. If, at any point along the way, there are trouble spots, it’s important to know about them quickly so costly repairs—and lengthy dry spells—are avoided.
“Production is affected by the well, water pump, water tank, pump controls, supply piping, height of the building, strainers, and the condition of the fixtures,” says Ross. After their initial inspection, homeowners can decide if additional testing is needed by a specialist.
During the well flow test, the team estimates flow-rate capacity of your home’s system. This documents the ability of your well pump to adequately do its job. “However,” says Ross, “this estimate is impacted by a number of variables, such as the size/type of fixtures, strainers, faucets, pipe diameters, pipe clogs, the buildings distribution piping and the pump size, pressure tank, and water storage tank.”
Well flow testing does not include water quality testing but Details Home Inspections does offer that service. Remember, says Ross, “in most counties when you buy or sell a home with a private well, the county health or planning department, or the lending institution involved, may require the seller to provide water-sampling results to show the water is safe to drink.”
Lenders and realtors may instigate or ask for testing as part of the home buying process. Industry experts say that “Getting a well inspection before you purchase a home can save you a lot of time, energy, and money. For instance, if you discover a well needs expensive repairs or the water isn’t safe to drink or use, you may want to reconsider your purchase. Or you could negotiate a lower deal with the seller.”
For buyers, the experts advise that “you’ll likely only have to worry about a well inspection if you’re purchasing a home in a more rural area. Many rural homes aren’t connected to public water services. This means should anything go wrong, you won’t receive help from the city. You’re on your own for any repairs or added filtration systems.”
When you’re ready to know your flow, schedule an appointment with Details Home Inspections online, call 360.823.3034, or submit your questions and someone from the team will get back to you ASAP. Don’t wait until components fail or you could find yourself washing dishes with a trickle or showering drop by drop. Our homes are a vital supply of water. Laundry, dishes, sticky kids, stinky pets, cold drinks, and happy goldfish are just a drop in the bucket. Let Details Home Inspections keep your water flowing.
Home Inspection Blog
If you are in the market for a new home, it is likely true that crawlspace and attic inspections are not even on your radar. Details Home Inspections is excited for you to start your new life in a new space, which is why we pay extra attention to these areas, so you don't have to.
Your trusted home inspectors in Vancouver WA want to make sure that the attic and crawlspace are not overlooked because these areas often reflect the history of the home. They can provide clues to serious problems underneath the surface that might not be disclosed or even known by the current owner of the home.
When we inspect an attic here are a few things we are looking for:
Supporting Truss or Rafter Damage: A roof inspection won't necessarily show the defects within the structure of the attic. The roof might look secure and sound, but inside the attic, it is possible to find broken trusses or rafters, showing the truth behind its condition.
Previous Fire Damage Noted in Attic Inspection: In some cases, the inspector will find that that the rafters are a color other than natural wood, which may tell you that the home sustained a fire at some point. In the case where the wood is black or scorched, a major fire likely occurred in the home.
Adequate or Inadequate Attic Insulation: Your inspector may find that your new home is inadequately insulated. If this is the case, it could lead to higher heating and cooling costs. This might be a major factor in whether or not you want to purchase the home. Alternately, he may find that the attic is well insulated and that is also important information to have at hand when making these decisions.
Water Damage: Having water damage in your attic can be expensive to fix. Since water flows from the top down, inspectors will look for staining on the wood supports or on the walls. This would be evidence that water has leaked or is currently leaking through the roof.
Chimney Access to the Attic: Since you cannot inspect the interior of the chimney from the attic, your inspector will make a note regarding whether or not the structure itself is solid. To determine if the chimney is deteriorating from the weather, your inspector will look for cracks in the bricks and also whether or not the mortar has started to crumble.
Squirrel, Raccoon, and Rodent Damage in the Attic: If your home is infested with squirrels, raccoons, or rodents, the first sign will be the telltale evidence of tiny poop pellets left behind. These animals will often enter attics through the eaves or loose boards and can cause considerable damage to a home.
When inspecting your crawlspace, your inspector will look for some of the above situations, but also consider the following:
o Visible or burrowing Termites
o Damp insulation, condensation, warped or cracked materials
o Mold or mildew
o Wiring or plumbing problems
o Cracks, settling or shifting in the foundation
o Damage to the wooden supports of the door framing
o Presence of pests, vermin, and other animals
o Sufficient ventilation
o Quality and presence of vapor barriers
These are just some of the things that a good home inspector will look for when inspecting your attic and crawlspace, and the things they are looking for in these areas often go hand in hand.
At Details Home Inspections, we know that every home is different, and also to expect the unexpected. Our main goal is to provide you with all of the knowledge you need to make a well-informed decision about purchasing a new home.
Check us out on Facebook or contact us today to find out what to expect from your home inspectors in Vancouver WA and let us put your mind at ease!