A.M. Best Services Offered
General Home Inspection: A home inspection helps provide buyers peace of mind by giving valuable information on the investment they are about to make. An A.M. Best inspection provides a visual examination of more than 400 items in a home from the foundation to the roof. Our inspectors are licensed by the states of Tennessee & Virginia to perform a professional inspection that meets the highest standards in the industry-the Standards of Practice established by the American Socieity of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Our 400+ item inspection findings are packaged in an attractive, easy-to-reference report. Our Inspection Report is acknowledged by Realtors® as the gold standard for home inspection reports features a comprehensive evaluation of the home.
Our inspector's go through extensive training and continuing education, always striving to enhance the quality of each inspection conducted. Our training instruction is the best training in the industry by combining classroom instruction and hands-on technical training that has been preapproved by the state. To enhance our training program, A.M. Best uses a complete educational training system for Commercial & Residential Inspections developed by Carson Dunlop and Associates, one of the most respected names in professional home inspection training.
URL: http://homeadvisor.msn.com/homes/inspection.asp
In addition to general home inspections, AmeriSpec inspectors are trained to perform a large variety of ancillary services. Ancillary services vary by area but can include:
Radon: This inspection includes the placement of testing devices to measure the ongoing level of radon in the habitable areas of the home. These measurements evaluate the level of radon to determine if any form of improvement is required. The EPA document A Citizen's Guide To Radon (Third Edition) provides the basic information everyone should know about Radon. For more information on how to reduce your radon health risk, call your state radon office for copies of these guides:
If you plan to make repairs yourself, be sure to contact your state radon office or visit our publications site for a current copy of EPA's technical guidance on radon mitigation, "Application of Radon Reduction Techniques for Detached Houses. "
Another great site for additional information is www.howstuffworks.com/radon.htm.
Mold: This service determines whether harmful mold is present is a home. Exposure to bacteria and fungus in indoor air has emerged as a significant health problem in residential environments as well as in occupational settings. Molds and mildews are names given to thousands of species of filamentous fungi. The molds have clusters of spores that are located on the end of tiny stalks. The spores are the reproductive product of the mature mold. The web like body, or mycelium, attaches to porous surfaces. Mycelia and spores may contain chemical compounds, some of which can be poisonous and toxic to humans. They can also create a large range of health problems depending on the exposure and tolerance of the individual. Spores pose a larger health concern because they become airborne and can be inhaled. The health related problems associated with exposure to mold range from allergic reactions, to respiratory tract inflammation and infection. Some molds can be extremely dangerous such as legionella, which is the cause of Legionnaires Disease. For more information visit:
Sources of Information on Indoor Air Quality: Mold
This page provides information about Mold.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/moldresources.html
Water: This inspection is a limited sampling of certain water systems and components using normal operating controls. The purpose of the Inspection is to provide you with information about the condition of quality of the water of the home at the time of the Inspection. The test will be performed in accordance with the Laboratory and/or manufacturers guidelines for the collection of water samples. For more information visit:
Lead in Drinking Water
Answers questions about dangers of lead in drinking water, gives techniques for reducing lead exposure.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/seahome/leaddw.html
Drinking Water Standards Program
Contains information on standards EPA has implemented on a number of topics related to Drinking Water.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/standards.html
Ground Water & Drinking Water Homepage
EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water protects public health and the environment by setting standards for drinking water contaminants and protecting sources of drinking water.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/
Local Drinking Water Information
Provides local drinking water information for each state.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm
Water on Tap: A Consumer`s Guide to the Nation`s Drinking Water
Report provides information about the quality of U.S. drinking water safety.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/wot/ontap.html
Drinking Water contaminants
These fact sheets are about chemicals that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hfacts.html
Septic: Using current testing protocol, the septic system is subjected to above average water exposure. The system is evaluated for evidence of above ground septic breakout. Without a test, clear failure of the septic system is the only evidence of problems as most components are underground. For more information visit:
Principles/Design of Onsite Waste Disposal with Septic Systems
Basics of on-site treatment: septic tanks, drainfields, mounds, and water conservation.
URL: http://www.epa.gov/seahome/onsite.html
Septic Tank Inspection and Trouble-Shooting
Some great information a buyer, seller and agent involved with a real estate sale involving a property with a septic system.
URL:http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9403.html
EIFS: This inspection is performed to review the application and condition of artificial stucco on an existing property. It may be a nondestructive visual inspection, or a destructive analysis. The inspection is performed in order to reveal conditions conducive to, or the presence of, moisture inside the siding of the surface. For more information visit:
EIFS and Building Defects Home Page which has good general information on EIFS.
EIFS Industry Members Association who are the makers of these systems.
http://www.eifs.com/ has probably more information than anyone would ever need.
