To perform a Home Inspection in Ohio, an inspector is required to be properly trained and certified by a recognized association (i.e. InterNACHI) as a Ceritifed Home Inspector, and most of all Licensed through the Ohio Department of Commerce.

A General Home Inspection consists of looking for anomalies in the roof, ceilings, drywall, structure, floors, windows & doors, attics, crawlspaces & basements, as well as the electrical, hvac, and plumbing systems. The process is a very basic overview of the property while in search of visible defects.

To perform an EIFS inspection, an inspector is required to be properly trained and ceritified by a recognized association (i.e. AWCI) as a Ceritifed EIFS Inspector.

EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finish System) is an exterior wall cladding that utilizes rigid insulation, most commonly EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) over exterior sheathing.

Types:

'Barrier EIFS' consists of EPS attached adhesively/mechanically over the sheathing substrate and covered with a lamina composed of a polymer modified base coat with glass fiber reinforcement mesh and a texture acrylic finish.

'EIFS w/Drainage' consists of EPS attached mechanically over the sheathing substrate inclusive of a air/weather resistant barrier sheet, or adhesively over a fluid applied air/weather resistant barrier, and then covered with a lamina composed of a polymer modified base coat with glass fiber reinforcement mesh and a texture acrylic finish.

To perform a Stucco inspection, an inspector is required to be properly trained and ceritified by a recognized association (i.e. InterNACHI) as a Ceritifed Stucco Inspector.

Stucco, or render, is a material made of aggregate, sand, cement, and water, and sometimes fibers for added strength. Stucco is applied wet, moisture cured, with the final product hardening to a dense solid. It is commonly used as a cladding for exterior walls on residential exteriors, and is commonly applied over construction materials such as expanded metal lath, concrete (with lath), cement masonry units (with or w/out lath), or clay brick and adobe for decorative and structural purposes.

In recent history the use of rigid insulation has been applied to the exterior substrate (energy code) prior to the mechanical attachment of the lath. The system is typically inclusive of a air/weather resistant barrier sheet or adhesively over a fluid applied air/weather resistant. The final finish can be either traditional cement or an EIFS type of acrylic finish coat.

To perform an Irrigation inspection, an inspector is required to be properly trained and ceritified by a recognized association (i.e. InterNACHI) as a Ceritifed Irrigation Inspector.

When purchasing a residential property with an irrigation system, it’s important to note certian aspects and run through the opertaing process.

Items to note:

1. What kind of valve does the home use for irrigation?  It may be an atmospheric vacuum breaker or a double-check valve assembly.
   
   
2. The spray heads used for watering are a critical component of the system. Note their positioning, pressure, and function via the manifold and its pipes all affect the health of the lawn.
   
   
3. The landscape itself is a key indicator about the effectiveness of the lawn irrigation system. Where the grass may be greener, whether there are depressions or damp spots, and where there may be yellow or dried-out areas are all clues about the system’s performance.

If not installed and maintained properly, a lawn irrigation system can create problems for the health of a property’s lawn. A faulty system can lead to wasteful water use, or, worse, contamination of the home’s potable water supply. 

To perform a Pool /or Spa inspection, an inspector is required to be properly trained and ceritified by a recognized association (i.e. InterNACHI) as a Ceritifed Pool/Spa Inspector.

The residential Pool and Spa inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a pool or spa (as delineated below), which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components that are both observed and deemed material. Residential pool and spa inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions. And, the inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.

Items included within the inspection are:

1. Plumbing, filters and lights
2. Condition of any adjoining structure as it relates to system
3. If present, the solar heating system
4. Pumps, valves and motors
5. Electrical and filtration system, pool heater
6. Presence and condition of safety barriers.

If not installed and maintained properly, a Pool and Spa system can create problems for the health of a property and it's inhabitants.  

To perform a WDO inspection in Ohio, an inspector is required to be properly trained and ceritified by a recognized association (i.e. InterNACHI) as a Ceritifed WDO Inspector. COHI uses Licensed WDI Inspectors for this service.

A WDI/WDO (Wood Destroying Insect/Organism) inspection is an investigation of the structure, to see if there are WD insects present. 

Some of the things inspectors look for include:

• Indentations in drywall, doors or window and wall facings
• Wood that sounds hollow when you knock on it
• Termite excrement (officially called frass, it resembles wood shavings)
• Tiny mud tunnels, usually near the foundation wall or any crack in the structure of the home (termites can build a whole system of interconnecting tunnels under your home)
• Actual termites

WDI inspectors check for signs of swarmers (termites). Swarmers are members of the colony that have wings. Termites swarm when it is time to venture out and start their own colonies. They are classified into three groups based upon nesting preferences... subterranean, drywood, and dampwood.

Other WD insects include Beetles and Carpenter Ants. Some conducive conditions for WDI include...

• Wood To Ground Contact
• Planter Boxes in contact with structure
• Poor Ventilation/Excessive Moisture
• Footings below soil, will plate
• Firewood in contact with structure