2 Home Inspectors 1 House

[William J. Decker]

I have had a couple of these type of clients:

1) Overly concerned with issues of environmental health.
- Want to make sure that all paint and floor finishes were water based.
- Want Radon, Mold, WDI, water, Electro-Magnetic Radiation test.
- Believe (falsely) that a standard HVAC system can be used to regulate indoor air quality.

2) Have small children, who have alergies, Autism, ADHD, etc.

3) Watch too much Oprah or Dateline NBC shows that report about house problems.

4) Search the internet for the latest threat.

5) Are unmarried.

I do the inspection, but try to explain that about 90% of their fears are baseless.

I had a couple who tried to sue me, unsuccessfully. Reasons:

- Failed to call out that the electrical transformer on the pole was within 100 ' of the house (electromagnetic radiation hazard).
- The use of polyurethane foam (great stuff) to seal windows (afraid of VOCs)
- Claimed the house had lead based paint (it was built in 1992) because their friend (who is equally wacko) said it did because it was peeling. Seems she believed that all paint that peels is lead based.
- Claimed that I didn't test for perscription drugs in the water. She actually tried to set me up by flushing some Viagra down the toilet at the beginning of the inspection and then calling me out when the lab report didn't show the presence of Viagra in the water sample.
- One claimed that the house was a total mold farm because there was some mildew behind the vinyl bathroom wallpaper. She told me that an "expert" on Oprah stated that if the mold was black, that it was toxic.
- Wanted me to test for the presence of Argon gas in the thermal windows because she had read, somewhere, that Argon was highly poisionous (Argon is an inert gas, and harmless).
- Saw some cockroaches (probably brought in when she moved) and claimed that the WDI inspection didn't find them and that I sould pay to have her whole house fumigated, under a tent, and that I HAD TO use an exterminator she knew (her friends brother) because he used non-toxic, "green" pesticides only.
- Wanted me to test for fiberglass insulation in the walls because she had heard that fiberglass was a carcinogen.

Takes all kinds, don't it.

[David C. Macy]

Did a radon test and WDI inspection on the clients 2nd attempt at a house.

The mold inspector was there at the same time.

They had there home inspection on Monday.

They finished the basement and there was seepage/mold at the carpet, drywall and basically the house needed exterior excavation. Original drainage with numerous large trees within 5/10 feet, improper grade, poor type window wells, overgrown vegetation, mold, water intrusion at interior Terra cota block foundation. (Hey lets just throw some new drywall and carpet and no one will ever no this house leaks like a sieve)

It was neat talking to my friend the Mold/Home inspector.

He/we found Potential asbestos in a crawl area. Supply and return going to garage.

I was just there doing a radon & pest but they kept asking me/us Home Inspection related questions.

Looks like a third job is lurking.

I think my friend the Mold inspector or I will be doing the general inspection.

At this rate we may do 4, 5 6+houses.