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Inspecting
a home during the winter months can be quite a bit different than during the months of the summer. While this may seem obvious, there are also some good aspects to winter Inspections. Typically there is a substantial temperature
difference between the interior and exterior of the home. This can be very
useful when using Thermal Imaging as any deficiencies in insulation or air
leakage would become visible through the camera. The main downside to winter Inspections is that areas we would like to see are usually covered with snow and ice. Areas like the
roof surface and lot grading condition can have a significant impact on the buyer’s
decision to purchase the property. Luckily there are a few ways around the issue of snow!
Winter roof inspection: Typically, it would not be safe for anyone to walk on a roof during the winter but your inspector should still be getting up on a ladder and removing the snow from a number of locations along the roof's edge. This will give the Inspector an idea of the condition of the roofing material. More information can be obtained when looking at the underside of the roof during the attic inspection. Water stains/rot on the sheathing can be an indication of a possible roof leak.
Lot grading inspection:
The ground around the home should be sloped away from the house allowing any
surface water to be carried away. This ensures that water doesn't collect at the foundation walls, as that increases the chance for a wet basement. But with two feet of snow on the ground the
slope will not be visible. So, your Inspector should use the same approach as
we discussed in the roofing section. When possible and poor grading is
suspected, clear some snow away. Though do keep in mind that sometimes the snow is hard and compacted and
removal is not possible. Lastly make sure to check the interior foundation walls for signs of water entry.
The following photos were taken at an Inspection just outside Calgary. Clearly it's too dangerous to walk on the roof, but by clearing away the snow in several spots we were able to determine the general condition of the shingles. This roof was only 2 years old and has lots of life remaining.
Winter Inspections are always challenging, but it is important to keep in mind that sometimes doing a Home Inspection in the winter can help you see things that cannot be seen in warmer temperatures. The next two photos show ice building up on exterior windows. While they seem to be harmless icicles, it's actually caused by the warm humid air inside the building escaping through the windows, condensing and freezing on the cold exterior surface. As you can imagine this can really drive up your heating bill! This condition would not be visible during warm temperatures and can be corrected by properly insulating windows.
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| Air leakage causing ice build-up |
It's true winter Inspections can be challenging but a diligent Inspector will do their part to ensure a thorough Inspection, thus minimizing the potential for missed problems.
Check us out online for more information on Home Inspections!
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