To follow up on the LIVE video I made on the importance of building inspection and the tests to do when buying a property, many of you have asked me additional questions. So here is some additional information.

When you’re getting ready to buy a home, a pre-purchase building inspection and certain certified tests are vital to avoid unpleasant surprises.

You’ve probably spent hours searching, analyzing, visiting, before finding THE house of your dreams. You’ve finally found it! Now it’s time for the inspection, a VERY important step that lets you know if there are any signs of potential problems.

As the old saying goes: Inspecting is protecting yourself! Make sure your inspector is certified, i.e. a member of the AIBQ – l’Association des inspecteurs en bâtiment du Québec.

When we talk about inspection, we mean that the roof, exterior, structure, electricity, heating, cooling, insulation, plumbing and interior of the building will be checked.

A building inspection should generally last 2 to 3 hours.

Prices vary according to square footage, age, location and building type. Approximate cost, between $500 and $600.

That wraps it up for the building inspection.

But a building inspection isn’t always enough. In fact, depending on the house, year of construction, materials, history, region, site, etc., other tests may be required if you also want to buy peace of mind.

Hence this additional information from my video column of Monday, June 3.

PYRITE

Pyrite is a chemical compound found in the backfill (crushed stone) beneath the concrete slab (floor). First and foremost, you need to ask the seller for the DB Certificate, which proves that the backfill is of good quality. If the house is older and there is no certificate, this is when you need to have a pyrite test carried out by a geologist. The geologist takes one or two samples of the backfill for laboratory analysis to determine whether there is any potential for swelling that could damage the building. This is an important test, because if pyrite is present, it will lower the value of your property, not to mention make resale more difficult.

Approximate cost: $600

Results: 2 days

ASBESTOS

Many building materials may contain asbestos: gypsum, joint compound, plaster/cement, textured finish (stucco), brick mortar, insulation, ductwork (thermal insulation), floor coverings, acoustic tiles (suspended ceiling), etc. It is therefore important to check whether these materials contain asbestos. The aim is to check whether these materials contain asbestos. Quebec regulations stipulate that any material with an asbestos concentration of at least 0.1% is considered to contain asbestos and may be hazardous to health.

Approximate cost: $800

Result: 2 days

ASBESTOS AIR

This involves determining whether the air in the building is contaminated with asbestos fibers. These tests are necessary during or after work to remove vermiculite or asbestos-containing materials. They allow us to verify that the decontamination work has been carried out correctly.

Approximate cost: $500

Results: 1 to 2 days

VERMICULITE

Vermiculite insulation (marketed from 1920 to 1990, mainly under the Zonolite brand name), commonly found in attics, may contain asbestos fibers harmful to health. For greater certainty, we recommend taking three separate samples. Three samples mixed together in the same bag have less scientific value, as the asbestos is diluted in such a composite sample. There is therefore a risk of a false-negative result.

Approximate cost: $300

Results: 1 to 2 days

AIR MOLD

Molds and their spores (their means of reproduction, rather like pollen for flowers) are a health hazard. They are microscopic fungi that grow on virtually any surface. They often appear as stains or marks, and can have a musty or damp earthy odour. To grow, molds need moisture and a material on which they can live, mainly cellulose-based materials (cardboard, gypsum, wood) because they feed on the organic matter making up these materials. Molds can also grow on plastics, metals and other materials such as concrete, if the environment allows (the mere presence of dust and excessive humidity are sufficient). They can even be found on plants and foodstuffs. To reproduce, molds release spores into the air that are so small (400 to 2,000 times smaller than a human hair) that they can penetrate mucous membranes (mouth, lungs, eyes, etc.) and cause health problems. The aim is to check for contamination and suggest corrective action where necessary. The inspection and air tests, lasting 2 to 3 hours, are carried out by a chemist or microbiologist, and followed by a full report from this specialist with recommendations for decontamination work if necessary.

Approximate cost: $800

Result: 7 days

SOL

To assess whether a property presents environmental risks, a soil sample is taken and analyzed to determine whether it is contaminated, for example, by heating oil.

Approximate cost: $500

Results: 3-4 days

FRENCH DRAIN

To make sure your French drain isn’t clogged, have it checked. An expert checks your French drain by inserting a camera and slowly advancing it, while recording its path through the entire drain. This recording is then carefully studied to detect any problems or potential anomalies.

Approximate cost: $1,000

Results: 3-4 days

WATER QUALITY

This test is required for artesian wells. Water quality must be verified. It’s easy to perform: just take a water sample and have it analyzed in a laboratory.

Approximate cost: $1,000

Results: 2 days

Not all these tests are necessary. A good real estate broker will know which ones need to be performed, again, depending on the type of property, year of construction, history, materials, region, site, and more.

Note that when negotiating with the seller, you can try to get some or all of the testing costs reimbursed.

That’s all there is to it! That’s all there is to it.

If you have any questions or need recommendations, please don’t hesitate to contact me.