Franklin County is classified as an EPA Radon Zone 1, meaning it has a high risk for elevated indoor radon levels. The average indoor radon level in Franklin County is over 5.0 pCi/L, which exceeds the EPA's action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Because radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that naturally rises from the soil, we recommend adding a continuous 48-hour radon test to every home inspection in Central Ohio, regardless of whether the home has a basement or a pre-existing mitigation system.

Central Ohio is built predominantly on expansive clay soil. When it rains, this clay absorbs water and expands, creating immense "hydrostatic pressure" against foundation walls. During dry summers, the clay shrinks and pulls away. This constant expansion and contraction, combined with our winter freeze-thaw cycles, frequently causes block foundations to bow inward or develop cracks. Our foundation inspections evaluate these cracks to determine if they are typical minor settling or a major structural failure requiring specialist evaluation and repair.

Homes built in the 1920s through the 1950s in historic Columbus neighborhoods frequently present unique challenges. The most common issues we find include outdated electrical systems (like knob-and-tube wiring), deteriorating galvanized steel plumbing, older clay tile sewer lines compromised by tree roots, and block foundations that lack modern waterproofing. We highly recommend adding a sewer scope inspection with your home inspection when buying older properties.

Absolutely! While newly constructed homes pass municipal code inspections, those inspections only verify minimum legal compliance—not the quality of workmanship, and everyone can miss defects and make mistakes. We frequently uncover issues like disconnected HVAC ducts in the attic, sealed plumbing vent pipes, missing roof flashing, improper exterior grading directing water toward the foundation, and incomplete insulation. We recommend an inspection prior to drywall installation, before closing, and/or an 11-Month Builder Warranty Inspection before your contractor's one-year warranty expires.

Yes. Elevate Inspections specializes in multi-family and commercial property inspections throughout Central Ohio, from residential duplexes to 300+ unit apartment complexes. We provide real estate investors with a comprehensive breakdown of major capital expenditure (CapEx) items, roof life expectancy, HVAC system conditions across all units, and plenty more, giving you the data you need to negotiate your deals confidently.

We recommend a sewer scope for almost every home in Columbus, especially those built before 1980. Older homes often have clay or cast-iron sewer laterals that are highly susceptible to tree root intrusion, cracking, and collapsing. Even in newer builds, heavy construction equipment can easily crush PVC sewer lines before the sod is even laid. Identifying a collapsed line before you buy can save you $5,000 to $15,000 in sudden excavation and repair costs.