APRIL 2008 Thermal Imaging Reveals Hidden Defects If you’re worried about a problem hiding somewhere deep within the walls of your house, and you’re thinking about tearing things apart to get a look inside, you can put down the sledgehammer right now and read on. Starting this month (April 2008) Mose Home Inspections is thrilled to announce that we have added a new member to our inspection team (or rather a new high-tech device) that adds significantly to what we can discern about a building’s underlying infrastructure. Until now, a host of hidden problems simply could never be verified without disassembling or destroying outer layers to get a glance at what lays within. But no longer. Using Infrared (IR) inspection, we now have a fast and non-invasive new tool for improved diagnostics on the condition of buildings. Using the IR camera, we can instantly identify problem areas that previously could only be presumed through deduction at best. IR inspection means those defects can be viewed and then documented – often with pinpoint accuracy - into a thermal inspection report. Alongside our highly sought-after traditional home inspection services, we are indeed pleased to now be able to offer this excellent new service whenever hidden defects are a concern. Whether it’s a home or commercial building, traditional or IR inspection, Mose Home Inspections will provide you with a status report that fills in the gaps and lays the foundation for sound, prioritized maintenance and repair. Flooding - What Every Homeowner Should Know Winter 2007-2008 was a rough one for Montreal and region, with frequent storms and snow... so much snow. Finally, all this snow and ice is melting but almost too quickly. This creates the possibility of flooding in certain neighbourhoods, and seasonal rain showers only increase that potential, particularly in low-lying areas near rivers or lakes. The resulting damage to private homes and destruction of personal property isn’t always covered by home insurance policies. Reducing the potential flood damage to your house is paramount. What can you do about it? Here are some of our recommendations to prevent water problems: Landscape your property so the surrounding soil slopes away from the foundation of your home. Ensure this by adding soil as required to create a grade sloping away from the foundation wall. Note that about 95% of all wet basements result from water backing up against the foundation walls. Prevent water entering your basement by applying waterproof caulking around basement windows and at the base of any ground-level doors. Damage can be caused by water running down your home's exterior walls, but this can be thwarted by keeping your roof gutters and downspouts clear of debris and dirt. If you don't have gutters and downspouts, install someto ensure all that water drains away from your home. If your home’s eaves troughs empty directly into the sewer system, disconnect them and redirect the flow of water somewhere safe to avoid overloading the sewer system. Repair any foundation cracks; they provide an easy route for unwanted water to find its way into the basement. No basement should be without a working sump pump. They should be tested periodically by lifting the flotation trigger and making sure the pump kicks in as it should. If you don't already have them, get anti-backup flow valves installed in basement floor drains. If the local public sewer system gets backed-up that’s the last thing you want gurgling up from below. What to do if you are in immediate danger of flooding: Shut off all electricity at your main circuit box. Do this as soon as possible to reduce the danger of electrocution once the water gets in. If you use gas for heating and cooking, close all gas valves - both inside the house and out. Remove all oils, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and other toxic or dangerous substances. Secure everything that can float away or can be a hazard, but is too difficult to safely remove, before hand. It’s never easy to determine how bad flooding can get, so you may want to simplty remove everything of value that you can take with you, preventing their loss or being damaged. Circuit Breaker upgrade. A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. - Sydney Smith (1771–1845), British writer, clergyman. Need a fair and accurate home assessment? We've got the expertise your clients can count on! You can expect: · Professional, qualified inspectors · Fair and accurate home assessments · Fast, reliable service Find out how Mose Home Inspection Services can help your client be secure in their home purchase. MOSE HOME INSPECTION SERVICES SPECIALIZING IN RESIDENTIAL, MULTI-UNIT AND INVESTMENT PROPERTIES Pre-Purchase, Pre-listing, Pre & post lease. Expertise, Residential, Commercial, Industrial. Environmental assessment. Inspections in English or French. www.homeinspectionmontreal.com     www.inspectionmaison.com