Home Inspections in White Rock, Newton and Langley — What I'm looking for
The Lower Mainland and Vancouver has a diverse topography and the types of homes in the various neighborhoods are very unique. As a home inspector, you see a lot of different rooflines, floor plans and kitchens.
White Rock inspections will find me at homes that often have a California feel, with flat roofs and steep hillside designs. Although there’s some new construction, you won’t find many “cookie cutter” neighborhoods here. There are a lot of unique architectural features and designs. If it’s a flat roof, I’ll be looking for protective granules wearing off. If the gutters are filled with the sandy granular material that coats the roofing material, that may be a sign of an aging or damaged roof.
Surrey is a huge municipality, and the different neighborhoods all have their own look and feel. A typical Newton multi-family home often has two or three kitchens, and in some cases, most of the bedrooms have ensuites. It takes more time to inspect these places. When the potential home buyer accompanies me, we’ll be looking for ongoing maintenance and what may need some repair in all of the suites and components. What may be in great shape in one part of the house might need some serious renovations in another.
Clayton is one of Canada’s fastest growing areas. The houses there are very similar in design to the older narrow lot homes in Vancouver, especially in the 12th Avenue corridor. In some cases, they even have three separate living areas on one property. The open design of the main floors of the home are great for families. Although there usually aren’t the kind of problems you see in 30 year old homes, we’re still looking for damaged doors in kitchens and bathrooms, a well maintained furnace, and checking all the living areas for wear and tear. In some cases, the rental portions of the home need more repair than the main living area.
There’s some beautiful mid-century homes in the Panorama Ridge and Sunshine Hills area of the natural hillside benches of Surrey and Delta. These neighborhoods also have custom designed architectural features, and in some cases have been fully renovated. They generally don’t have additional suites, but we will be paying special attention to components that haven’t been upgraded or changed since their first build. In some cases, roofs are original, or heating systems are past their normal length of life. As well, because of the beautiful greenery around, there’s often animal and insect damage on the roofs Boring insects and animals may cause problems with roofs as well. A roof inspection may shed light on potential pest problems. Holes or nesting materials may indicate that an animal or animals are using the attic as a shelter from the elements. They like the neighborhood as well!
All of the neighborhoods from Willoughby and Murrayville in Langley, to Fleetwood and Guildford in Surrey have a mix of newer and older townhouse and condos. I believe it’s important to have a good look at the exterior as well as the interiors of these multi-unit spaces. There can be problems often found in the parking areas, with failures in re-bar, which can potentially cause a big problem in replacement and repair fees in the future. Of course, flashings are an important component that can’t be ignored. Properly installed flashing, the material that connects the roof to other parts of the house that adjoin the roof, like skylights or a chimneys can keep the entire exterior in good shape. Poorly installed flashing can cause leaks. Stains that appear below chimneys or near attic windows may indicate new flashing, and not new shingles, is needed.
In every case, if you're buying, accompany me on the inspection. There’s a lot to look at, and I guarantee you — you’ll discover more about your home than you thought!
