Meet Mike Lansing Home Inspections
Mike Lansing started performing home inspections long before they became popular.
“I have worked in construction since I was 15. My family and friends, of course, knew my background and asked me to look at properties. I decided I’d get certified and see if I could get paid for that kind of work.”
Lansing was certified in 1997 and was the first inspector in the area to be licensed in 2004. In addition to annual training, he has studied with a mold expert in Florida, is studying to become a certified Lead Tester and has applied for Master Inspector status from the National Association of Home Inspectors.
“Renovation work is school for me, too,” says Lansing. “I’ve torn out enough bathrooms and walls and ceilings to understand how things are supposed to work, and that helps me explain things to my home inspection clients.”
Lansing examines approximately 450 items during his home inspections. He works “from top down and from outside in.” The roof and gutters, insulation and ventilation, plumbing and electrical work are just the start. He insists that prospective home buyers or sellers meet him at the end of the inspection for a full explanation.
“I want buyers to know how the house works,” he says, “and what needs to be done before and after they purchase the house. Sellers, too, need to know the kinds of things that need to be fixed immediately so they can correct them or adjust their asking price. In this economy, they may only get a couple of serious offers and they do not want to jeopardize their opportunity to sell the house with an unexpected problem.”
Lansing says that one of the most problematic and overlooked home maintenance issues is improper soil slope around the foundation of a home. Dirt there can settle and catch water, which can cause moisture in the basement and mold.
“Mold has been a huge problem in our area the past several years,” he continues. “We have had so much rain and flooding. Pipes break, basements flood, septic systems back up. There are 17 molds in our area and at least five of them can make people sick. Asthma, allergies and hay fever can all be caused or aggravated by mold. Often, a family member’s illness prompts my inspection.”
A mold inspection consists of a walk-through of the home to look for maintenance deficiencies that can lead to mold and an air sampling test. If the mold in the air is elevated, maintenance projects should be corrected, a remediation company should be secured to clean the home and a second air sampling conducted to confirm the work was successful.
“I will not compromise,” says Lansing. “You cannot risk the health of your family members.”
Lansing also conducts energy efficiency inspections and regular home maintenance inspections. He conducts 350-400 inspections annually.
For more information, contact Mike Lansing Home Inspection at 224-3296 or visit them at www.lansinginspections.com.
