Services

 

How to Find a Qualified Home Inspector
As the homebuyer, it is your responsibility to carefully select a qualified inspector and pay for the inspection. 
The following sources may help you find a qualified home inspector.   (www.hud.gov)
State regulatory authorities - Some states require licensing of home inspectors.  (Tennessee does require licensed and insured home inspectors.  See the LINKS page on our website).
Phone book yellow pages.  Look under "Building Inspection Service" or "Home Inspection Service".  I am listed in the yellow pages.
The Internet.  Search for "Building Inspection Service" or "Home Inspection Service." 
Your real estate agent.  Most real estate professionals have a listing of multiple home inspectors they will recommend.

 

Existing Home Inspection
H.F. Brown Inspection Services will provide a thorough inspection of a home.  Henry will observe and report on all accessible areas and systems of the home.  This includes the physical structure of the home (walls, basement, chimney, floor support, etc) and components of the home (switches, plugs, water heater, air conditioner, etc.)  For example:

 

Foundation
Floor Structure
Roof
Gutters
Chimney
Kitchen
Electrical
Electrical Fixtures
Switches
Receptacles
Doors
Windows
Garage
Heating
Sidewalks		 Attic
Cooling
Crawl Space
Insulation
Interior
Grounds
Plumbing
Plumbing Fixtures
Water Heater
Bathrooms
Basement
Exterior Walls
Porches
Decks
Driveway		 Downspouts
Skylights
Railings
Garage Doors
Garage Door Openers
Safety Sensors
Electric Meter Box
GFCIs
Circuit Breakers
Fireplace Damper
Blower Door Test (optional
Pressure Pan Test (optional)
... and much more!

 

Condo Inspections
We provide the same services for condominiums.

 

Radon Testing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General of the United States have recommended that all houses should be tested for radon. For more information on radon testing, call the National Radon Information Line at 1-800-SOS-Radon or 1-800-767-7236. As with a home inspection, if you decide to test for radon, you may do so before signing your contract, or you may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states the sale of the home depends on your satisfaction with the results of the radon test.
You can order a radon test kit for $15 by calling Washington at 1-800-557-2366. This do-it-yourself kit allows you to perform the test which takes approximately two days. You mail the results of your testing and will receive results within 2-4 weeks.

Free radon test: (State of Tennessee) TDEC.Radon@StateTN.US  (1-800-232-1139)

If you hire someone to professionally perform the radon test, you usually receive the results within 48 hours.
If you are buying or selling a home, it is important to check local laws on disclosing radon-testing results. Deciding who will test and/or mitigate before signing a contract is also a good idea. EPA recommends that you know what the indoor radon level is in any home you consider buying. If you are selling a home, have it tested and mitigated before putting it on the market. This will be a good selling point. If you are buying a home, ask if it was built using Radon Resistant Construction. For more information about radon and real estate, see EPA's "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon." You should contact your state radon office for information on qualified radon service providers and state-specific radon measurement or mitigation requirements.  www.epa.gov/faq/whereyoulive.html

 

U.S. SURGEON GENERAL HEALTH ADVISORY (JANUARY 2005)

“Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It is important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.”

 

 

Mold Testing
Molds are microscopic fungi that sometimes grow in homes.  Mold is particularly prevalent in wet areas such as bathrooms.  It is possible (and fairly common) for mold to grow into drywall and into the wood studs of a home, which can cause major damage.

In addition to damaging the home, the presence of mold can have a serious impact of the health of the residents of the home.  Mold can casue allergies; and mold can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

A mold test is a simple add-on to a home inspection, or a mold test may be scheduled by itself.

 

New Construction Inspection
This inspection is performed during construction for code compliance and to identify potential problems.  The inspection is carried out in two stages. 

First, an inspection is made before the drywall is installed.  This allows us to examine plumbing, wiring, vents, and other "internal" items in detail.

Second, a final inspection is made of the entire house.

 

Weatherization Evaluation
We offer blower door tests and duct register leakage evaluation.