Like any investment, buying a home involves taking a risk. Lessen the risk by knowing if moisture problems will require expensive repairs by hiring Certified Moisture Testing to perform a moisture analysis. See why making the decision to have your home tested will help ensure you make a sound investment.

The Cost to Repair Moisture Damage can be Financially Devastating

A home with moisture intrusion damage will be very expensive to repair. Repairing moisture damage involves a tear off of the exterior siding, replacement of any rotting sheathing, framing or other structures, new insulation, replacement of windows and doors, flashing and installation of the new siding. As a buyer, the repairs should always be required as the damage interferes with the structural integrity of the home. Avoid these costly repairs by insisting Certified Moisture Testing perform a moisture analysis before signing a purchase agreement.

Most Moisture Damage is not Detectable by a Visual Inspection of Walls

Many people, including home inspectors and realtors, believe that the absence of mold, discoloration or insect infestation is an indicator of dry walls. This is not true in the majority of cases. The wood and insulation in the wall cavity is a huge water absorbing sponge. It takes a lot of water over a period of time to saturate and fill the wall sponge to be visually detectable. In fact, moisture problems are only accurately detected by inspecting a space that is not visible: inside the wall cavity. Certified Moisture Technicians use a proven method to measure the moisture inside the walls and assess damages without cutting large holes. Have your prospective home tested for moisture issues using the only proven accurate method by hiring Certified Moisture Testing.

Homes Less than 20 Years Old are more likely to have Moisture Damage than Older Homes

Do not make the mistake of reasoning that a home will not have moisture issues because it was built more recently. Homes built after the mid 80’s are more likely to have moisture problems due to energy building code changes. Generally, the new codes were designed to seal a home more tightly to make it more energy efficient, which it did. Unfortunately, many builders took shortcuts during construction, like building to only required minimum code standards and not using best known building practices. These shortcuts have led to the scenario where water can get into the wall, but it can not get out because the house is sealed so tightly. This scenario causes costly damage that has to be repaired. Ask for Certified Moisture Testing to perform a moisture analysis on your potential home, no matter its age.

Facts for Home Buyers

If you are buying a home—whether the home is brand new or 50 years old—make sure you verify that the home is free from moisture problems that could cost you thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair or could cause a lengthy and costly litigation with the home seller or builder. A homeowner knows to expect a hot water heater, furnace etc. to eventually need replacement, but one should not expect their home to rot away. It is our opinion that it is more important to know if your home has a moisture problem before a home inspection is completed.

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