Home Inspection Resources

Make an Informed Decision

Older homes can carry materials and systems that aren't always obvious during a quick walkthrough. Our free library of guides covers some of the most common issues we encounter in the field — helping you ask the right questions before you buy, sell, or renovate.

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Electrical

Wiring Systems

Aluminum Wiring

Common in homes built between the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring has connection and insurance implications buyers should know about.

Knob and Tube Wiring

Common in homes built in 1950 or earlier, knob and tube wiring has implications for insurance and safety.

Stab-Lok Electrical Panels

Installed in many Canadian homes from the 1950s through the 1980s, Stab-Lok and Federal Pioneer panels have a documented breaker failure rate that concerns insurers.

Plumbing

Piping Systems

Kitec Piping

Used widely in plumbing and heating installations between 1995 and 2007, Kitec has a tendency to corrode and degrade over time.

Polybutylene / Poly-B

A flexible grey pipe used widely in hot water systems, Poly-B is prone to improper installation issues and fitting failures.

Galvanized Steel Plumbing

Standard in homes built before the 1960s, galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside out and most systems are now at or past their expected lifespan.

Insulation & Hazardous Materials

Materials to Watch For

Asbestos

Widely used in construction materials until the 1990s, asbestos poses health risks when disturbed and requires careful identification.

Lead

Found in paint and some plumbing components in older homes, lead exposure is a known health hazard — especially during renovations.

Vermiculite Insulation

Popular from the 1940s through the mid-1980s, vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos depending on its source.

UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation)

Installed in an estimated 100,000 Canadian homes before its 1980 ban, UFFI is now mainly a disclosure issue rather than an active health concern.

Radon

The leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, radon levels vary block by block and testing is the only way to know your home's level.

Exterior, Utility & Site Conditions

Fuel, Water, Heating & Fire Safety

Oil Tanks

Older homes may have buried or decommissioned oil tanks that carry environmental liability if not properly identified and removed.

Septic Systems

Common across the Fraser Valley where municipal sewer isn't available, septic systems require specialized inspection beyond a standard home inspection.

WETT Inspections

Wood stoves and fireplaces often require a specialized WETT inspection before BC insurers will provide coverage.

Radiant Ceiling Heat

Popular in BC homes from the 1960s through the 1980s, embedded ceiling heating can't be assessed by eye — and failed zones are rarely repairable.

Building Envelope

Moisture Management

Rain Screen & Building Envelope

BC's leaky condo crisis affected an estimated 45% of strata units built between 1985 and 2000. Learn what changed and what to check today.

Organic Growth (Mold)

Coastal BC's wet climate makes moisture and mold management an ongoing consideration. Learn common causes and what we look for.

EIFS Cladding

Synthetic stucco looks like the real thing but behaves very differently — older face-sealed EIFS can conceal serious moisture damage behind an intact finish.

Disclosure & Foundations

Property History & Local Conditions

Former Grow Operations

In BC, former grow-op status must be disclosed indefinitely and carries real financing and insurance implications.

Flood Plains & Crawlspace Moisture

Richmond, Delta, and parts of Chilliwack sit on flood plain terrain with specific construction requirements and crawlspace considerations.

Have Questions About Your Home?

Book an inspection and get the full picture, not just the highlights.

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