Inside Edge Home Inspections Ltd.

Happy Halloween from your friendly neighbourhood home inspector! Remember to contact Inside Edge to inspect all those dark and scary places inside your house.

We were in downtown Truro last weekend so naturally I couldn't resist taking some aerial photos. Enjoy!

Today's blog is part 1 of 2 and focuses on foundation cracks, with a look at the various types commonly seen by home inspectors.

Understanding Foundation Cracks (Part 1) A home inspector looks at concrete foundation cracks.

https://www.ieinspections.ca/blog/aed-myths
I wrote that article almost three years ago(!!) but wouldn't change a thing. Luckily I haven't had to use one since writing this but the fact remains some harmful myths about AEDs still exist making bystanders fearful or hesitant to use them. AEDs are lifesaving machines and are safe, easy to use and while I advocate everyone to get formal first aid and AED training, require NO special training to operate.

AED Myths A Halifax, NS Home Inspector looks at myths surrounding Automated External Defibrillators.

I wrote this blog post back in 2022 and even with my added experience I wouldn't change much. The cost of housing is still far too high so many homebuyers, especially first timers are turning to mobile (or mini) homes. They have an undeserved reputation for being unsafe and poorly constructed and needing constant maintenance or else they will fall apart. While I always prefer to see homes built on a solid foundation these homes are safe, healthy, built to strict codes and an affordable alternative for many.

I have inspected mobile homes of all ages and generally they have no more issues that the equivalent aged site built home. Don't forget to call us at Inside Edge (902-209-9921) or drop me an email ([email protected]) for a quality, thorough inspection of your mobile home from a seasoned mobile home inspector.

A Look at Mobile Homes A home inspector from Halifax, NS looks at mobile homes and the unfair stigma that they are always inferior to traditional site-built homes.

This blog post is aimed towards a group that has been shut out from home ownership for far too long (first time homebuyers) but everyone can take something from this article. The easy way to summarize this is that looks can be deceiving and it is important to look at facts.

Ironically I wrote this just before doing an inspection where what appeared to be a perfect, well maintained home that looked like this stock photo had numerous (expensive) issues with the roof and HVAC systems.

First Time Homebuyer Mistakes (Home Inspector's Version) A Halifax, NS home inspector looks at common mistakes first time homebuyers make.

If you have a ductless mini-split heat pump, remember to clean these filters regularly (I usually do it monthly). These are important not only to keep the air clean but mostly to protect the heat pump components, extending its lifespan. I have inspected far too many of these units where the filters have never been cleaned!

Since you have now added years to your heat pump, why not take that savings and spend it on a quality home inspection? Drop us a line at [email protected] and see firsthand the outstanding value we provide.

After taking a small break, I decided to write a blog post today. This one looks at something I am literally doing right now: renovating! It is NEVER as simple as easy as planned and here are a few more things to consider:

Renovation and Remodelling Considerations While I did not start our home inspection company until 2021 (I wish I would have started years earlier but that’s another blog post!) my interest in homes goes all the way back to my childhood. I...

Left this in the car for 2 hours. This is proof of why you never leave children or pets unattended in the car in the summer months!

Our latest blog post introduces a term I learned only recently and how it is relevant to home maintenance. It's also our shortest blog post to date!

What is Patina? One of the most interesting things about being a home inspector is how there is always something new to learn. As generalists, we simply aren’t experts on everything, and any home inspector who...

Neglecting to regularly maintain your home's system will cost you many times over in the long run. Be sure to get annual inspections of your HVAC system and keep an eye out for water leaks, mold and other issues that can lead to major problems down the road.

After a busy weekend and a few days off to rest, we are ready to get down to business! This article is an attempt to share some cold, hard facts about how hard is it to make it in this industry and contrary to the grandiose claims made by home inspector training programs, if you expect easy money doing home inspections don't waste your time. The data is sobering but is important to understand a simple truth: most home inspectors fail in the industry and the number climbs all the time.

So, You Want to be a Home Inspector in Nova Scotia? I don’t get a whole lot of messages outside of potential clients looking for a home inspection, but when I do, a common theme is from prospective new home inspectors looking to get into the...

Nice to see our industry getting some time in the news with a Canadian focus. This article is full of great information that I largely agree with and it's definitely getting busier (already my busiest weekend on record). Remember, two of the biggest reasons we home inspectors are a wise choice is because a)we are independent consultants and do not offer repairs or affiliate with contractors or real estate agents and b)we are able to bring the gap between tradesperson industry jargon and the average homeowner who isn't an expert. I know my stuff but I also understand the average homeowner would not know if for example 200A/240V 60hz single phase electrical service is good or bad (hint: it's good).

While I have nothing but the utmost respect for my fellow home inspectors (even my direct competitors) unfortunately it is the wild west in most of Canada and anybody can pretend to be a qualified home inspector with no experience or credentials. I made sure to create our company so that we could easily adapt if industry regulation is introduced.

Recently completed an inspection that to put it professionally had some significant deficiencies the buyer didn't completely understand until they were explained and put into context, with an action plan on how to take steps to correct them. When you put your trust in us, you can be guaranteed to get valuable, easy to understand information from a Certified Professional Inspector.

Are home inspection conditions back in the cards? What buyers should know Weighing whether to add an inspection condition to your offer? Here's what to expect from the process, and how it could impact one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Is there such a thing as too much ventilation in an attic? Yes! Read more on this week's blog:

Attic Short Circuits A Halifax, NS home inspector takes a look at attic short circuits.

Came across this at a recent inspection. This is a very dangerous situation and not for the tripping hazard: an extension cord is being used as permanent (as in being actively used 24 hours a day) power and it buried under a rug with in floor heating as well.

Never use an extension cord as permanent power and N-E-V-E-R bury them under a rug. The trapped heat can easily start a fire and extension cords are the #4 cause of fires in Nova Scotia last time I researched the data. Hiring an electrician to add receptacles is not cheap but they are a lot cheaper than having to rebuild a home destroyed by an electrical fire.

I occasionally have clients ask how to tell the difference between 3 tab and architectural fibreglass shingles, the two most commonly seen types of roof covering with metal coming in third. The home on the left uses architectural shingles while the home on the right still has the original 3 tab.

As you can see, the home on the left has a more 3D, multi-coloured look. This has been the overwhelming choice for Nova Scotian homes since the mid 2000s, however, 3 tab shingles are NOT a defect and are still available, even if far more difficult to procure.

Happy Easter! Today’s blog post takes a different turn as we shine a light on Autism Awareness Day coming up on April 2nd. 🧩 As someone who is on the Autism Spectrum, this topic hits close to home. I'm tired of the harmful myths and misconceptions surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and discrimination against Autistic workers I have both witnessed and experienced in my professional career. Let's shift the narrative – I prefer to embrace the term 'different-ability' over disability.

Read more in today's blog post.

Home Inspection Through the Autism Lens A Halifax, NS talks about being on the Autism spectrum and how it is NOT a disability.

I am more than a home inspector: I am an active entrepreneur who is always looking for the Inside Edge on providing the best inspection services possible, hence the name. Today's blog looks at the three most commonly searched topics on my website along with some statistics for those with nerdy tendencies, such as your favourite home inspector. I can state that there is a 100% chance you will learn something from today's blog.

Most Commonly Searched Terms Like many in the home inspection industry, I constantly have my ear to the ground looking at new construction techniques, best practices and using my advanced data science skills to keep my knowledge...

Where does the time go? Hard to believe that exactly three years ago we received the green light and became officially incorporated by the Province of Nova Scotia, making us able to conduct business in both Nova Scotia & New Brunswick.

We officially opened our virtual doors just a few days later on March 24th, 2021, a week earlier than scheduled. What an adventure it has been and we look forward for having our busiest year yet. Thanks for being part of the journey!

One of the biggest home inspection myths is that aluminum wire, like the ground wire pictured here, is very dangerous and can lead to a fire. In reality, modern aluminum, when properly sized and installed by a qualified electrician is perfectly safe. In fact, every single service conductor that we have inspected (including brand new construction) has been constructed of aluminum wire!

The concerning aluminum stock is known as AA-1350, which has not been used since the mid-70s. This type of aluminum wire IS dangerous, is up to 55 times more likely to start a fire and many insurance companies rightfully frown upon it. However, in most cases aluminum is a recognized, safe, and legal method of carrying electrical current.

When you get an inspection from Inside Edge, we will inspect your electrical system and advise if you should contact an electrician for a further evaluation. While we have seen some unsafe electrical setups, in reality it is clear that most homes we inspect were properly wired by skilled, professional electricians.

Big news! Inside Edge Home Inspections Ltd. is now a member of the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants! We are not only IAC2 Certified, but also Certified Mold (or Mould if you prefer) and Radon testers, the only company in HRM to hold these designations. Just another step in our question to be the best inspection company in and around Halifax!

Stay tuned to our website (www.ieinspections.ca) as we officially add these services to our company in the coming weeks.

Our longest blog post ever could have been much longer because there are so many new scams and the variety and skill of scammers is growing everyday. In part 2 of our look at cybercriminals, we look at some tactics for spotting and ignoring these con artists.

Be Aware of Cyberscams! (Part 2) A home inspector looks at various online scams, which are rapidly increasing in frequency and skill.

Is there nothing more frustrating than not knowing what the true cost of a good or service is? At Inside Edge we are doing our part: our service fees are all inclusive: no extra fees or taxes beyond the quoted price.

There is still time to take advantage of our winter sale: 15% of most home inspection services. Give us a call today!