Tools We Use
Tools We Use
In addition to the tools we use, which include hand tools and our senses of sight, hearing, touch and smell, we use the following tools to evaluate your largest investment. At Defender Home & Property Inspections, a Safe and Sound home for you and your family is priority number one for our company
Safety Siren Pro Series 4
The Safety Siren Pro4 Electronic Radon Gas Detector with digital LCD display is the only EPA approved device to continuously monitor Radon Gas with three audible alarm modes alerting us to protect your family from lung cancer from radon gas exposure. The Safety Siren Pro4 Electronic Radon Gas Detector is not like a single use radon test detection kit. This digital radon gas monitor for home testing is a radon tester that performs continuous radon gas monitoring. The easy to read digital radon level display shows short-term radon levels as well as long-term radon level averages. Radon gas in air or water is a health hazard resulting from uranium breaking down in soil. Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and is impossible to detect without the use of sensitive test equipment. Radon gas rises through the soil and seeps through cracks, holes and drain pipes in the foundation or basement. Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer and results in over 20,000 deaths to non-smokers per year. The EPA presently suggests that corrective action be taken to reduce the radon levels in your home if measured at 4 pCi/l or greater. Radon being such a great threat to health, this test is ALWAYS included in a complete home inspection. We do NOT charge an extra fee, as others inspection services do, for initial Radon testing…elevated levels of Radon in the home is too important to leave to chance.
Safety Siren Pro Series 4
The Safety Siren Pro4 Electronic Radon Gas Detector with digital LCD display is the only EPA approved device to continuously monitor Radon Gas with three audible alarm modes alerting us to protect your family from lung cancer from radon gas exposure. The Safety Siren Pro4 Electronic Radon Gas Detector is not like a single use radon test detection kit. This digital radon gas monitor for home testing is a radon tester that performs continuous radon gas monitoring. The easy to read digital radon level display shows short-term radon levels as well as long-term radon level averages. Radon gas in air or water is a health hazard resulting from uranium breaking down in soil. Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and is impossible to detect without the use of sensitive test equipment. Radon gas rises through the soil and seeps through cracks, holes and drain pipes in the foundation or basement. Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer and results in over 20,000 deaths to non-smokers per year. The EPA presently suggests that corrective action be taken to reduce the radon levels in your home if measured at 4 pCi/l or greater. Radon being such a great threat to health, this test is ALWAYS included in a complete home inspection. We do NOT charge an extra fee, as others inspection services do, for initial Radon testing…elevated levels of Radon in the home is too important to leave to chance.
Compound GT8220 Gas Detector
Indoor Air Quality is often overlooked during the home buying decision making process. Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air and detrimental to your health and especially your children due to their increased rate of respiration. Many homes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Our homes today contain many furnishings, appliances, flooring, drapes and other products that can adversely affect indoor air quality by outgassing. Although costly repairs are generally the buyer’s number one priority, nothing is more important than a healthy home. At Defender Home & Property Inspections, we will test the air quality within the home for oxygen levels, Hydrogen Sulfide levels whose presence can indicate Chinese drywall, Carbon Monoxide which is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and poisonous gas that can be fatal and combustible gases. Indoor Air Quality is second in importance only to the presence of elevated Radon levels with respect to your health and as such is ALWAYS a part of our complete Home Inspection at no additional charge unlike other inspection services.
Zircon MetalliScanner® MT7
For Wind Mitigation Inspections, this tool is priceless. The MetalliScanner® MT7 metal detector quickly and easily locates nails, screws, rebar, pipe, and other metals used in the construction industry. The bright backlit display indicates metal target depth up to 6 in. deep, type of metal located (ferrous or non-ferrous), and whether you are moving towards or away from a target. Use to find and avoid rebar in concrete before drilling, to find pipes and junction boxes behind tile, and even detect the nails/tacks in studs behind lath and plaster walls. This powerful tool saves time and money by eliminating guesswork, rework, needless holes, and costly broken drill bits or saw blades. Recommended uses include locating reinforcing rebar in masonry and measuring subsurface nail spacing in roofing material for compliance with building codes. These two main reasons are why we use the MT7 for a Wind Mitigation inspection.
Zircon MetalliScanner® MT7
For Wind Mitigation Inspections, this tool is priceless. The MetalliScanner® MT7 metal detector quickly and easily locates nails, screws, rebar, pipe, and other metals used in the construction industry. The bright backlit display indicates metal target depth up to 6 in. deep, type of metal located (ferrous or non-ferrous), and whether you are moving towards or away from a target. Use to find and avoid rebar in concrete before drilling, to find pipes and junction boxes behind tile, and even detect the nails/tacks in studs behind lath and plaster walls. This powerful tool saves time and money by eliminating guesswork, rework, needless holes, and costly broken drill bits or saw blades. Recommended uses include locating reinforcing rebar in masonry and measuring subsurface nail spacing in roofing material for compliance with building codes. These two main reasons are why we use the MT7 for a Wind Mitigation inspection.
FLIR MR60 Moisture Meter
To ascertain the level of moisture present in materials, ranging from structural lumber to roof sheathing to drywall, to determine the material’s soundness and susceptibility to harbor mold, we use the FLIR MR60 Moisture Meter Pro. It is a pin and pinless moisture meter with advanced functionality. An integrated pinless sensor and an external pin probe provide the flexibility to take destructive or non-destructive measurements. We prefer to use the pinless option to eliminate damage to your potential home.
ThermoPro TP-52 Hygrometer
Knowing the indoor humidity level is vital to avoid the growth of mold and to prevent damage to your walls, ceilings, and especially susceptible flooring. The ThermoPro TP52 Humidity Gauge features a 3.3” large LCD display with a vivid color comfort indicator with an arrow that indicates current air conditions DRY/COMFORT/WET. Backlight & huge digits allow you to read the temperature and humidity with ease at nearly any distance and in any lighting. ThermoPro room hygrometer/thermometer provides the most accurate measurements for indoor humidity and temperature, allowing you to be aware if adjustments are necessary to your AC or humidifier before substantial damage to the home occurs. This device is included in every complete home inspection package and is your to keep and use.
ThermoPro TP-52 Hygrometer
Knowing the indoor humidity level is vital to avoid the growth of mold and to prevent damage to your walls, ceilings, and especially susceptible flooring. The ThermoPro TP52 Humidity Gauge features a 3.3” large LCD display with a vivid color comfort indicator with an arrow that indicates current air conditions DRY/COMFORT/WET. Backlight & huge digits allow you to read the temperature and humidity with ease at nearly any distance and in any lighting. ThermoPro room hygrometer/thermometer provides the most accurate measurements for indoor humidity and temperature, allowing you to be aware if adjustments are necessary to your AC or humidifier before substantial damage to the home occurs. This device is included in every complete home inspection package and is your to keep and use.
FLIR VP50 Non-Contact Voltage Detector
To test the main electrical panel for voltage BEFORE we touch and open it, we use the FLIR VP50 which is a tough, CAT IV-rated Non-Contact Voltage Detector featuring a combination of alerts – tactile vibration and red LED alarms, a powerful LED flashlight, and versatile voltage sensitivities. The VP50 has been engineered to reliably detect voltages on the latest tamper proof outlets and electrical systems installed using modern construction methods. During our Home Inspections we carry this handy tool with us as an extra precaution due to its non-contact nature. If there is an electrical danger, it will alert us immediately.
Ideal 61-051 Receptacle Tester
To identify wiring issues in the home, we use the Ideal 61-051 circuit tester which tests for proper GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) operation as well as for correct wiring, open ground, reverse polarity open hot, open neutral, hot on neutral, hot and ground reversed with open hot and in 3-wire 125V AC circuits. This device is used to test the outlets in the home to ensure they have been wired properly. Improperly wired circuits are an extreme fire hazard.
Ideal 61-051 Receptacle Tester
To identify wiring issues in the home, we use the Ideal 61-051 circuit tester which tests for proper GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) operation as well as for correct wiring, open ground, reverse polarity open hot, open neutral, hot on neutral, hot and ground reversed with open hot and in 3-wire 125V AC circuits. This device is used to test the outlets in the home to ensure they have been wired properly. Improperly wired circuits are an extreme fire hazard.
Craftsman 82141 Multimeter
A multimeter can measure voltage, resistance or current in a wiring circuit. This makes it a key part of diagnosing circuitry problems. For example, if a light switch in your home has to be replaced frequently, or if a breaker keeps blowing, using a multimeter as part of the diagnostic process will test how well current travels through a circuit. They can also determine whether there is resistance within a circuit, and measure the voltage or amperage. Although not as widely used in a complete home inspection, it can be a vital tool used to determine the cause of an issue on a circuit.
Infrared Thermometer
We use a Cen-Tech Infrared Pyrometer to quickly identify HVAC problems, overheating circuits, and more with this device’s rugged non-contact infrared thermometer. This compact IR thermometer has an easy-to-use backlit display for use in all environments. Precise laser targeting lets you pinpoint heating/cooling anomalies to identify problems faster. Temperature range for -4 to 968 degrees fahrenheit. Air not feeling cold enough or the home is warm? This infrared thermometer will tell the tale with a simple point and shoot at the duct.
Infrared Thermometer
We use a Cen-Tech Infrared Pyrometer to quickly identify HVAC problems, overheating circuits, and more with this device’s rugged non-contact infrared thermometer. This compact IR thermometer has an easy-to-use backlit display for use in all environments. Precise laser targeting lets you pinpoint heating/cooling anomalies to identify problems faster. Temperature range for -4 to 968 degrees fahrenheit. Air not feeling cold enough or the home is warm? This infrared thermometer will tell the tale with a simple point and shoot at the duct.
Microwave Radiation Leak Tester
The indicator flashes when microwaves are detected. We put the indicator inside the microwave oven, off center next to a glass of water, to confirm the appliance’s operation. After testing the microwave internally, we will use this device to determine whether or not your microwave oven is leaking by running the tester around the perimeter of the microwave while it is operating. If the microwave is leaking, we will report the microwave as a hazard.