Whenever you purchase a new home, it is expected that an inspector will come and search for any outstanding violations: termites, foundations problems, poor electrical wiring. You cross your fingers and wait for the “okay” so that you can sign the papers and officially begin your new life in your new home. With so many parts of the house vying for the inspector’s attention, he may overlook certain aspects. If the inspector feels like he has missed something or that the house needs further inspection, he may enlist the help of specialists who are specifically trained to look at only one aspect, for example, the basement.
If water damage is suspected in a home or office building it could require a water intrusion survey, an exhaustive investigation of the inside and outside of the structure to locate any problems.
Who does it: A water intrusion survey is conducted by a waterproofing specialist like Vincent Boccia of Boccia Inc. who has a database of over 30,000 homes that have already been surveyed for water intrusion. If the database indicates that the house has already been inspected by his team, it could make the process easier for you or may eliminate the need for a new investigation entirely.
Is it required: A water intrusion survey is not required as part of the typical inspection process but it may be recommended by the original inspector. Since it is a lot more exhaustive than a regular inspection and focuses solely on water damage, it should not be used to replace a complete home inspection either.
If the home or building you are looking to buy passes inspection but you still feel a little uneasy about cracks you noticed in the wall or a water stain by the window, you can call a specialist.
What will the specialist look for: He is mainly looking for any evidence of water damage as well as locating parts of the home that will be most susceptible in the future. Water damage comes in obvious forms such as stains, puddles, water marks and a musty smell. But the specialist will also examine the way foundation lies, the outside walls, and if a property grade is too high. In addition to the basement, less apparent areas like patios and balconies will also be inspected because depending on the way they were built, it is possible that they too are allowing water to invade you home.
Typical Repairs: Upon the completion of the water intrusion survey, a few problems appear most commonly and should be taken care of immediately. The waterproofing specialist will most likely recommend that you waterproof your basement properly regardless of what he finds. It will be your first and last line of defense to keep any water from entering your home and causing any further problems.
The removal of any mold that has grown must also be taken care of because of the potential health risk it poses. Depending on the structure of the basement it may mean just disinfecting surface areas like the walls and floors. But, if you have a furnished basement, you may need new carpeting and the existing walls will most likely be taken down and replaced with mold-resistant counterparts.
