Water damage can wreck havoc on a house bringing rot and mold with it. Bathrooms are a common place for water damage to be  found. It is imperative to the health of your home and your family's health to minimize moisture; any leaking valves or plumbing issues should be addressed quickly.

Eliminate any signs of mold before they affect your family's health. Mold is attracted to moisture, by keeping your bathroom as dry as possible you keep mold spores from becoming attached. Wash towels, rugs, and fabric curtains often. Avoid using wallpaper in your bathroom as moisture can get stuck behind it allowing for mold growth to be hidden in the wall.

Leaking valves are a common cause of water damage in bathrooms. Leaking valves can cause rust and corrosion in your sinks, toilets, and showers. Make sure you know where all of your shut-off valves are in case of leaking or emergencies, including your main shut-off valve. In your bathroom there should be a shut-off valve behind each toilet.

Water damaged bathrooms are a common issue found within foreclosed or abandoned houses. Houses that have been left with water running for long periods of time while not being used or maintained run the risk of water damage running rampant. Repair costs for water damaged bathrooms can be very expensive.

Here are some tips to help maintain the health of your bathroom:

• Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home to remove moisture in the air.
• Allow for air circulation by keeping shower curtains and doors open after use.
• Regularly inspect and repair any leaks.
• Wipe up any spills around the shower, tub, or sink areas.
• Wash towels, curtains, and rugs often.
• Sanitize and disinfect toilet, sink, shower, and bath areas frequently.

The key to maintaining your bathroom is keeping all surfaces as dry as possible. Always contact a professional if you are unsure of completing any repairs yourself.

We recommend having a home inspection performed promptly after construction has completed on your new home. This will allow you to bring up any defects that are found to the builders or contractors for possible resolution. If your developer refuses to correct major issues than you may want to consider taking further legal action.

Facade Leaks, Window Leaks, Flooring Issues, and Ventilation/Exhaust Issues are among the most common problems found within newly constructed houses.

Recently Peninsula Housing Service's own Licensed Home Inspector found this vent pipe had been left open in the attic. The contractors for this new house had forgotten to extend the pipe up through the roof of the home. This would have caused all of the septic gases to vent into the attic which would have resulted in some very stinky problems for the new homeowners. After completion of the home inspection report the developers did promptly correct this issue for the new homeowners.

Failure to attach extensions to the relief valve on water heaters is also a common mistake found within newly constructed houses. The Relief Valve (or TPR Valve) is placed near the top side of the unit. When properly working, this valve is set to open if either the temperature reaches 210°F or if the pressure reaches 150 psi. This is a safety mechanism to avoid the water heater from exploding during a system failure. This valve should have an extension that reaches to just above the floor, preventing discharged water from splashing.

​Each state's laws differ for the regulations and licensing for Home Inspectors. In Virginia, Licensed Home Inspectors must complete additional training to become certified  to inspect New Residential Structures. Feel free to check InterNACHI for a list of home inspection requirements by state to ensure that your home inspector is properly qualified.