Wasaga Beach Certified Home Inspector

Home Buyers in Wasaga Beach choose the Wasaga Beach Home Inspector based on his Knowledge, Experience and Training.  Roger Frost has performed over 8,000 home inspections in the past 20 years is confident enough in his experience to Offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee on all his inspections.  He always puts his clients best interests first and alway presents the honest facts about any property he is inspecting. When hiring the Wasaga Beach Home Inspector you get the benefit of a superior level of training coupled with his years of experience.  Why risk one of your largest investments to someone who offers a couple of dollars of saving.

Your Home Inspection

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

Home Inspection – What is Inspected

The Wasaga Beach Home Inspector starts his inspection as soon as he enters your driveway.  Starting with your homes landscaping, looking for any possible issues with water management.  Inspecting the roof for any signs of sagging and identifying any issues with exterior cladding, gutters, fascia or chimneys.

ROOF – This is where we start our inspection, unless roof is too steep or unsafe to walk on.  We carry 3 ladders on our inspection vehicle which allows us to climb and inspect most common structures.  Some of the main items inspected on a roof are:  ice and water shield, shingles, number of layers of shingles, flashings, caulking, valleys, vents and masonry and metal chimneys.  We take overall pictures of the roof and of any deficiencies.

EXTERIOR –As soon as we arrive at your property we are looking for items of concern.  The overall grade of property is noted as it applies to water drainage issues.  We inspect your downspouts and extensions, pay special notice to drainage in these areas.  All windows, doors, sidewalks, porches, exterior steps, driveways and any building attachments are visually inspected for deficiencies.  Again we take overall pictures of all areas with close-up pictures of deficiencies.  Maintenance issues are also noted and documented for report. 

DECKS AND STEPS –Many decks have been added to homes without obtaining a building permit.  These structures are typically very easy to distinguish due to building code infractions which would have been corrected prior to final inspection by city or municipality. Some common issues with decks include:  improper attachment to building, improper support for posts, improper guards or spacing, steps are un-equal in height of higher than maximum permitted height. 

ELECTRICAL –Electrical cables have to be rated for exterior use.  GFCI outlets are checked to ensure correctly wired and that they do in fact trip when tested.  Exterior lights are checked for wiring and attachment.  Any underground wiring has to be installed in accordance with the CEC requirements.  A home owner can do his own wiring but the installation should be inspected by ESA or licensed electrician on completion.  

FOUNDATIONS – Poured or masonry block foundations are inspected for cracks and signs of deterioration which may be caused by moisture.  Most foundations will have a crack here or there which is typically vertical in nature and very often just a hairline crack.  Horizontal cracks in foundations may require a structural engineer to evaluate, especially if there has been movement and separation of surfaces.  Foundation are inspected on both the exterior and interior.

GARAGES – Attached garages are included as part of normal home inspection.  The most common item found in garages is the use of extension cords to power automatic door openers.  The building code has recently changed regarding garages in Barrie and other areas requiring a receptacle for every overhead garage door.  Another common deficiency found in garages is homemade storage units.  Engineered wood trusses for example cannot have a storage unit suspended from them unless there is “detail drawing” stamped by designer or engineer approving use.  It is common to see hanging structures that are improperly connected and having supports that exceed span tables for wood.

BASEMENTS– This is where most of your homes systems are installed and it the most important are of the interior of your home.  Many homes in Barrie have added second suites in their basements and the work was done without a permit or final inspection.  This means that the electrical, heating, plumbing and sometimes the structure of the home has been modified or added to and never inspected by city or licensed professional.  This is where experience and knowledge of the Ontario Building Code and the City of Barrie’s bylaws can be very important as you will inherit all the problems when you purchase the home.  Unsafe electrical wiring, modified sump pumps draining into municipal sewer, improperly enclosed furnaces and hot water tanks and illegal bedrooms are just some of the common issues typically found during inspections.  

MAIN FLOORS –This part of the inspection includes operating all doors, windows, fireplaces, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, check floor coverings, exhaust vents and inspecting stairs.  Most items are cosmetic in nature unless home owner has made improper modifications or not maintained areas requiring caulking etc.

ATTICS –Inspecting the attic can provide a varied number of deficiencies, which can include the following:   Missing seal on attic hatch, rodent or animal presence, moisture or mould, compacted insulation from traffic in attic and improper venting of bathrooms or kitchens in attic.  In rare cases we will find damaged trusses or rafters and even rotted sheathing.  Lack or improper ventilation is the major cause of moisture or mould in attics.

Wasaga Beach Home Inspections – Knowlege & Training

Roger Frost has taken all the required courses required by the Ontario Building Officials Association to earn the Designation of Certified Building Code Official.  Knowledge of both Part 9 and Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code is mandatory.  Most Home Inspector’s will only have taken Part 9 Building Envelope and Structure.  The knowledge obtained by taking all the required OBOA courses is what allows us to offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee for 30 days after you take possession of your new home.

Over 8,000 Professional Home Inspections 

Home Inspection Knowledge and Training

The Wasaga Beach Home Inspector has completed the following Ontario Government Courses:

• Carson Dunlop Home Inspector graduate
• Ministry of Housing – Part 9 The Building Envelope
• Ministry of Housing – Part 9 Structural
• Ministry of Housing – Part 3 Fire & Structural
• Ministry of Housing – Part 3 Large Buildings
• Ministry of Housing – Part 3 Health & Safety
• Ministry of Housing – Part 10/11 Change of Use
• Ministry of Housing – Part 9 Health and Safety
• Ministry of Housing – Part 9, The House
• Legal Process – pertaining to Ontario Building Code
• Plans and Review – DND qualification

Home Inspection Experience

• Former Registered Builder with HUDAC (now TARION)
• In charge of project reviews for Fire Dept for 7 years
• Mould Certification Course- Level One
• WETT Certified Inspections
• Member of NACHI (national association of certified home inspectors)
• Member of NACBI (national association of commercial building inspectors)
• Certified Master Inspector

All Part 9 and Part 3 Building Code Courses certified courses by the Ministry of Housing and taught by the Ontario Building Officials Association. All courses are 40 hours in length with a required pass of over 70%.

The Wasaga Beach Home Inspector has performed over 8,000 residential home inspections, and a multitude of Commercial, Industrial, Plaza’s, Malls, Commercial Condominiums, Churches and Apartment Buildings in much of Southern Ontario.  This Experience and Expertise is invaluable when inspecting your residential home or investment property.