squamish feature

Mark Goodwin has inspected more than 1,000 homes in Sea to Sky region

Mark Goodwin of House Sound Home Inspections Inc. has conducted more than 1,000 home inspections in the last decade in the Sea to Sky Region, leaving many local customers happy with his diligence and attention to detail.

It’s a skill he honed in his native UK, where he worked as a police officer for 33 years with the London Metropolitan Police before moving to Canada with his wife, Gerrie Goodwin, and their daughter and son.

“The ability to observe minutely and then communicate in a friendly manner is certainly a skill I have carried over from my previous profession in England,” Mark says.

You could also add approachability and commitment to that skill set, says his wife, Gerrie, who has seen Mark work his way from being a newcomer to Canada to being the vice president of Home Inspectors Associations of BC in less than a decade.

“What a lot of clients like about Mark is that he doesn’t just break contact after inspecting their potential home. They like that they can just pick up the phone and talk to Mark even after the inspection is done,” Gerrie says.

Bill and Ailsa Siemens recently hired Mark to do an inspection on the property they were buying, and they found him to be very thorough and professional.

“He spent a considerable amount of time in the property, taking copious photos to document his progress during the inspection,” says Ailsa Siemens.

“We met with Mark on site afterwards and he reviewed the property with us in detail. We have subsequently recommended Mark to others,” Ailsa says.

Mark says he likes to take a lot of pictures because it helps clients see the issues clearly and have a ready record of their property they can access anytime they want.

Mark says he also likes to get a lot of feedback from his clients to ensure they get the advice they need on one of the most important purchases they are making in their life.

“The whole point of taking the photographs and reading the report minutely is to ensure the clients are getting the advice they need,” he says.

Mark has also been an instructor at Ashton College and is now training other home inspectors while serving the Sea to Sky Region.

He has been on the board of the Sea to Sky Community Services and is also a member of the local Rotary Club. He is proud to be part of a community that has trusted him for these past 10 years.

“This is my community and every client is important to me, whether they live in a million-dollar mansion or a condo,” he says, smiling.

Source: squamishreporter.com

 

early sign of attic damp

Routine Maintenance of Attics

Attics on the pacific west coast can be prone to organic growth (mold/mildew) on the roof sheathing.  The main cause is high relative humidity and usually inadequate ventilation.  You should also check the attic for evidence of roof leaks.

Watching out for these deficiencies enables minor repairs to be completed before they escalate, and become more expensive to remediate.

Now is a good time to check on the condition of your attic.

Here’s what you should be looking for:

  • Evidence of the roof leaking usually manifests as patches (localized staining), or in proximity of any roof penetration including roof vents, skylights, exhaust vents and masonry chimneys.
  • Check the attic for detached bathroom and laundry ducts, including the entire run from the ceiling to the roof sheathing.  Detached laundry or dryer exhausts can add a significant amount of moisture and heat required for mold spores to germinate.
  • Check the attic hatch for the presence of insulation and weather stripping.  Although the hatch area can be small, an uninsulated and non-weather-stripped hatch provides access to the attic for warm and moist household air.
  • Check the insulation at the edges of the sheathing and soffit (roof overhang).  Air flow from the perforated (vented soffit) can sometimes be blocked by insulation.  For an attic to ventilate efficiently, air flow enters from the soffit and flows out via the top vents (ridge/roof gable/turbine vent).  If you find the soffit ventilation blocked, the easy solution is to fit pre-made plastic ducts/baffles – a simple push fit that restores air flow.

Remember, a little amount of preventative maintenance will save you money in the long term. Any good home inspection should also include an attic inspection.

attic inspection

west vancouver home inspection

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Home Inspector in the Sea to Sky Corridor?

home inspector in west vancouver, mark goodwin of House Sound Home Inspection

Congratulations! You are about to put an offer on a new house. But before you sign on the dotted line, you will want to do all that you can to make the best property purchasing decision possible. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or an experienced investor, here are the top reasons to hire a qualified home inspector in the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Home inspectors alert you about red flags

No matter how beautiful a home might look on the surface, there could be a host of underlying complications you didn’t realize were there. A home inspector has the experience and knowhow to spot even the most subtle problems that can get missed by the untrained eye.

Professionals will fully assess the property, looking for possible issues on the interior and exterior of the house. They will also notify you of any code violations, helping you make the best-informed decision.

Sellers want to pass inspections

Many sellers already know that their home may have to undergo a home inspection. And that’s good news for buyers. Before putting their property on the market, homeowners will invest in repairs and upkeep, ensuring their property is safe and liveable.

You might be able to ask for less

Having a home inspection done may help you in the negotiation process. After the examination, the home inspector will provide you with a comprehensive report, detailing all the work that needs to be done. Depending on the scope of the repairs, the seller may opt to lower the listing price.

Home inspections save you money

Home repairs can cost a lot of money. And if you don’t know what you are getting into when you buy a new home, you could be on the hook for damages. Home inspectors will advise sellers what property damages need repairing, helping you avoid unexpected expenses later.

A home inspection helps remove buyer’s remorse

Buying a new home might be the biggest investment you ever make. The last thing any new homeowner wants is to deal with unexpected, costly surprises. Don’t leave anything to chance. With a home inspector in your corner, you will feel confident knowing you made a well-informed decision.

Have you had a home inspection done? Before you move into the house of your dreams, connect with a licensed and qualified home inspector in the Sea to Sky Corridor. It could be the smartest decision you ever made.

Contact Mark or Gerrie Goodwin today for expert home inspection!

 

moss tree debris roof

Moss and Tree Debris on Roofs

roof-house-inspection

The definition of a roof, according to Wikipedia is: “Part of a building envelope. It is the covering on the uppermost part of a building or shelter which provides protection from animals and weather, notably rain or snow, but also heat, wind and sunlight. The word also denotes the framing or structure which supports that covering.”

In providing protection from the weather, one of the principal functions of a roof is to shed water efficiently.  This efficiency can be substantially reduced by the presence of moss and tree debris on the roof surface, in the gutters and valleys (the area between differing roof profiles).  

Moss is a plant that rests on the roof surface and can retain water.  This can lead to premature deterioration of the roof surface.

Removal of moss growth is dependent on a number of factors such as the amount present, how long it has been there, and the roof type.  It is recommended to check your roof frequently, especially after storms and heavy weather and more frequently if you have trees near to your house.

Tree debris consists of leaves, fir and pine tree needles and branches that can usually be removed by hand.

Removing moss and debris from the roof, valleys, skylight flashings and gutters should be considered a routine maintenance task.

Pressure washers should be used cautiously as if the pressure is set too high, the cleaning process can damage the roof. With this in mind, and considering roofs with heavy moss growth, I would recommend consulting a house exterior cleaning (detailing) contractor to assess the best method of removal.

Tree branches that physically come into contact with any roof can quickly deteriorate the roof surface.  When blown in the wind, the branches in contact with the roof act as an abrasive. Trees also can shade the roof and prevent it from drying.   Additionally, tree branches provide an access roof for wildlife, such as rodents (rats & squirrels) that may find access into your nice dry and warm attic.  It is recommended that tree branches be trimmed back so that they don’t come into contact with the roof – please consult a certified arborist contractor before any work is undertaken.

If you have any questions or need advice about debris on roofs, please do not hesitate to contact House Sound Home Inspection!

 

Infrared cameras and Home Inspections min

Infrared Home Inspections With Thermal Imaging Cameras

Using Infrared Thermal Imaging for InfraredHome Inspections

Anyone can buy and use an infrared camera. Many Licensed Home Inspectors are using infrared cameras as part of a home inspection.  The term for using infrared cameras and correctly interpreting the results is known as “Infrared Thermography”.

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