Number One Avoidable Home Inspection Problem-Deferred Maintenance

Broker IPTV: We are talking today with Aaron Rath from Home Systems Data their specialized inspections. Aaron thanks for being with us, glad you are here. Tell me how did Home Systems Data get started?


Aaron Rath: Home System Data started 1985 by Brain Jones we are from home inspections company here in Denver metro area, including the Front Range and Mountains.


Broker IPTV: Now there is, obviously, a lot of inspection companies out there, how do you differentiate one form the other?


Aaron Rath: Well the way they differentiate us from all the others is we take, lot of pride in what we doing, we are very knowledgeable and that's our main thing is we are very knowledgeable inspectors, with us.


Broker IPTV: People look, they say an inspection is, inspection is inspection and there is standard stuff that supposed to be covered, what are some of the standard stuff?


Aaron Rath: The standard stuff that is covered, Dan, in an inspection is usually your roof, your furnaces, your water heaters, the structure of the home, plumbing, the electrical, sewer we do not do.


Broker IPTV: I am often, when I go out and see the inspector I always recommend we do the Radon test. Is that something that you recommend as well?


Aaron Rath: Yes, I recommended it for the same reason, it is been known that  EPA has come out, so that is a known cancer causing, and also it is the what they called "silent killer" now. The biggest thing what is the EPA has said standard of 4.0 pCi/L, anything above that they recommend mitigation on it.


Broker IPTV: All right, most frequent problem you run in to?


Aaron Rath: Radon and also drainage issues around the house


Broker IPTV: Foundation?


Aaron Rath: Yeah, grading around the house make sure that sloped away properly.


Broker IPTV: They do not have down spots, and...


Aaron Rath: That is right, No tip ups, they have water drain right next to the foundation.


Broker IPTV: They are not even aware of it.


Aaron Rath: Right.


Broker IPTV: Most avoidable problem?


Aaron Rath: Maintenance.


Broker IPTV: Maintenance?


Aaron Rath: Maintenance on the house. Routine maintenance is the biggest that we find is lacking in homes.


Broker IPTV: Painting?


Aaron Rath: Painting, the caulking,  the painting, grout, the grout around the tile, caulking around the sinks, stuff like that.


Broker IPTV: I have always amazed every time we do an inspection, how many people don't even change the furnish filter?


Aaron Rath: That is one of the other biggest thing too, is the filter, never changed and people don't understand. When I do an inspection, I always recommend that the filter be changed every 30 days, not every three months. Reason behind is because if you leave the 30 day one in for 30 days, take it out, the motor doesn't have to work as hard. The longer you leave the filter in three month once, the more harder do motor has to work in the unit. So, it shortens the life of the blower motor.


Broker IPTV: And an in the front. Aaron thanks, good information, I appreciate it.


Aaron Rath: Thank you.