Certified home inspector

Pre-purchase inspection

This category concerns individual buyers, brokers, investors and entrepreneurs wishing to acquire an existing property. An inspection, including a thermal scan, before the finalization of the purchase will be carried out to examine the existing elements. A detailed report of the existing situation will be submitted thereafter.

Pre-sale inspection

This inspection category concerns sellers who would like to know the situation of their real estate, in particular to obtain a detailed report of the faulty elements or to correct their current building before the process of registration in the sale market.

Pre-acceptance inspection

This inspection category concerns sellers who would like to know the situation of their real estate, in particular to obtain a detailed report of the faulty elements or to correct their current building before the process of registration in the sale market.

Buildings Health Check

The balance sheet concerns owners who would like to evaluate their next renovation. Having a health checkup helps you assess investment priorities for corrective measures and thus reduce your expenses.
For example:

• Replace only X numbers of windows;
• Add insulation only at the most critical location;
• Repair critical failures in the building envelope;
• Replace only part of the roof (flat roof);
• Correct critical thermal bridges;
• Other.

Thermographic inspection

A camera thermal records various infrared radiation s ( waves of heat ) emitted by the body (material) and which vary with their temperature . A thermal camera does not allow you to see behind a wall or an obstacle, it reproduces the stored heat, or shows the thermal flow of a wall, for example, due to a hearth located at the rear.
The thermography is only an additional tool for determining the location of the investigation of an anomaly. With this tool, we can detect:

• Water infiltration;
• Insulation failures;
• Air infiltration and exfiltration (thermal bridge);
• Moisture impregnated materials;
• Gas loss in high efficiency windows;
• Presence of insects (nest) and vermin;
• Poor build quality and defective structure;
• Electrical hazards;
• Other.

Mold

Mold consists of microscopic fungi which generally develop when water is present, no matter how small. Although only laboratory analysis can confirm the toxicity or not of mold, it is especially important to identify what causes its proliferation if it is to be prevented from reappearing. Let us know about your mold problem now to avoid serious health problems.mold

Water infiltration

The main role of the building envelope is to prevent any water infiltration. Whether from the attic or foundations, water infiltration can cause many problems, including the proliferation of molds, but also alter the integrity of the structure and facilitate infestations of insects and unwanted animals. . With the help of our tests and instruments, we can detect the origin of water infiltration and suggest the most affordable effective fixes.wa

Ice dam

Created after a freeze / thaw cycle, ice dams are undeniable signs of a problem in the attic, and lack of ventilation is very rarely the cause. This phenomenon can be dangerous for passers-by and cause water infiltration through the roof. our experts will pinpoint the cause of the problem and make the appropriate recommendations. They can even monitor your work to ensure that it is finalized.

Condensation and moisture

Condensation is a sign of poor control of the humidity level and or of an excessively cold surface temperature. Found most of the time on windows or in the basement and involving several factors, condensation can affect the integrity of the building envelope in addition to promoting the proliferation of mold. If you have this kind of problem, a diagnosis is necessary quickly to prevent it from affecting your building. Contact us for an accurate diagnosis.

Discomfort

There is no instrument measuring comfort since it is a personal sensation varying from one individual to another. However, technology gives us the tools to find out why. Whether it’s cold floors or drafts, building science allows our experts to determine why you’re feeling uncomfortable and suggest solutions to correct the situation. Don’t be uncomfortable one more day: contact us today!

Diffusion of odors

Has your neighbor’s cigarette smoke invaded your home? Do the smells of cooking from his supper spread through your unit every night? Did you know that the spread of odors from one dwelling to another is at the top of the list of complaints made by residents of condominium units. Under the front door, by sockets and switches, by cable or pipe entry points or by suspended ceilings: whatever the path taken by odors, our experts will be able to provide solutions.

Air quality and mold

Homes can contain agents harmful to health: chemical substances (underground gas, etc.), biological irritants (mold, dust, pollens, etc.) or asbestos fibers. The analysis of dust and air in a home through an air test allows you to know its contamination history. Positive spore results reveal the presence of mold, which is often well hidden.

Vermiculite and Asbestos

Vermiculite insulation can be a health hazard when it contains amphibolic asbestos. Only a laboratory analysis of a vermiculite sample can detect its presence. It is preferable to do the analysis before carrying out a real estate transaction, since the presence of asbestos can be considered as a visible defect and cause major work. Results available in just 48 to 72 hours as needed!Is the presence of Zonolite a hidden vice?The Quebec courts have decided that asbestos is not a hidden defect. It is therefore the buyer’s duty to properly inform the building inspector that he wants his opinion on this subject. In arriving at this decision, the judges referred to Health Canada’s opinion that the presence of the Zonolite insulation does not cause any risk if it is not touched. The concept of hidden defect therefore serves to guarantee that the dwelling can be used for its existing use, but not that its transformation can be done without risk.

Radon

Considered by Health Canada to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, radon is an odorless gas found everywhere on the planet, although its content varies from place to place. Consequently, we find different concentrations in all the houses in Quebec.

Ferrous ocher

Ferrous ocher can clog foundation drains and cause significant property damage such as an increase in humidity inside or water infiltration in the basement, but also create conditions favorable to development. mold. Only a laboratory analysis of a sample of drainage water will confirm the presence or not of this bacteria.

Water quality

When drinking water comes from an underground source, its microbiological qualities can be affected. It is not uncommon to find bacteria whose presence can cause serious health consequences. Only an analysis can confirm good water quality. Since poor water quality can affect the value of the property, an analysis may be required by a mortgage lender.

Pyrite

Pyrite is an ore that is sometimes found in crushed fill stone. The presence of this ore in the embankment can cause cracks in the concrete slab of the house and cause significant structural disorders to the building. By coring the fill stone located under the basement and garage slab, the analysis laboratory can determine whether or not pyrite is present.

Weeding mule

Wondering what the term “building cancer” means? First of all, the term “weeping” comes from the fact that the merule expels colored tears from its mycelium (vegetative part of the fungus). The weeping merule is a kind of lignivorous fungus.

All materials that contain cellulose, as well as woodwork, are therefore found with the weeping merule as main opponent, because it is the lignivorous fungus most often guilty of infestations inside the houses.

Government efforts to help those affected by weeping

A government program was created by the Liberal government of Philippe Couillard in late summer 2018. This program, which is called the Residential Intervention Program - Weeping Merule, includes a pilot project to begin in the month of October of the same year. This program provides an envelope of $ 5 million over three years from which the owners of affected residential buildings will be able to benefit. This program will also serve to “continue the development of knowledge on the merule and the expertise for its identification” and to “specify the number of confirmed cases of merule”.

Eligible owners can receive financial assistance of up to $ 100,000.
Source: Quebec Housing Corporation