Valued Services

Professional Drone PilotPre-Purchase (Buyer) InspectionNew Construction Inspection11th Month EvaluationInfrared ImagingRadon GasMold TestingAir Quality InspectionCrawlspace BOT

Collaborating with me entails partnering with an FAA Certified Remote Pilot capable of conducting comprehensive aerial inspections, capturing high-resolution top-down images of the entire roof and surrounding property. Certain roofs pose challenges due to steep angles, slipperiness, or delicate materials unsuitable for direct foot traffic. However, my drone overcomes these obstacles, effortlessly obtaining pristine 4K photographs of otherwise inaccessible areas.

Couple with Keys

A Lodestar home inspection will identify issues and concerns to be addressed prior to closing. The functionality and safety of your potential home will be professionally evaluated. As a buyer, you will have the information needed to make the best investment decisions.

Pre-Purchase (Buyer)

New Construction

Lodestar Home Inspections will observe and monitor your new home from the beginning phases of construction through closing. An extra pair of eyes can ensure that anything needing attention is identified and corrected. Prior to your closing, we will do a walk through and review all concerns. Lodestar will provide you with a list of maintenance reminders to be aware of going forward.

House with Magnifier

11 Month Evaluation (Owner New Construction)

Homeowners – Is your Builder’s Warranty fixing to expire on your new home? Typically, builders give the new home buyer a 12-month warranty. Lodestar will inspect your home prior to the expiration and then you can present any items needing attention to your builder. Call us now 4234867347.

Infrared Imaging

CRT info
Infrared Imaging

Lodestar Home Inspections can test your home for Radon Gas. Every home in Tennessee should be tested especially when you consider the fact that radon related lung cancer kills approximately 21,000 people each year. Due to Radon being odorless and invisible, testing for Radon is the only way to know if your home is affected. The U.S. Office of the Surgeon General and U.S. EPA recommends that all homes in Tennessee be tested for radon. A Radon test is very affordable and measures levels over 48 -72 hour period. The report is comprehensive with hourly readings of radon levels. See Tennessee Map Below

TN Radon Map

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the soil. Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in the soil beneath and around your home’s foundation. Because of this difference in air pressure, your house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through foundation cracks and other openings. Radon may also be present in well water and can be released into the air in your home when water is used for showering and other household uses. In most cases, radon entering the home through water is a small risk compared with radon entering your home from the soil. Fortunately, radon does not generally present a health risk outdoors because it is diluted in the open air. Radon can, however, build up to dangerous levels inside a house, any other buildings, or caves. As radon gas breaks down, it emits high-energy alpha particles. These particles are in the air we breathe, and once inhaled, they can be deposited in our lungs. The energy associated with these particles can alter cell DNA, thus increasing the risk of lung cancer. Persons who smoke and live in a home with elevated radon levels are at a very high risk to develop lung cancer.

Resource: Healthy Homes Radon – TN Dept of Health https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/healthy-homes/hh/radon.html

Elevated radon has been found in buildings with all foundation types and in every county in the country. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location or foundation type.

Radon is a radioactive gas and there is no safe level. Consumers should be aware that U.S. EPA’s estimate of 21,000 annual deaths from radon induced lung cancer in the U.S. was based on an average level of 1.3 picocuries per liter of air. The EPA Action Level of 4 picocuries/per liter of air (pCi/L) was based on technology from three decades ago. Annual exposure to 4 pCi/l is the equivalent of 200 chest x-rays per year. The World Health Organization recommends indoor radon should not exceed 2.7 pCi/L. Lung cancer risk rises 16% per 2.7 pCi/L increase in radon exposure.

If the test results are elevated, you can request the seller to have it mitigated prior to closing. Since most radon mitigations systems can be installed in one day or less so there is usually no reason to delay the closing. While a seller and buyer can always negotiate the installation costs, it is common for the seller to pay for the system installation. The instillation needs to include a guarantee that the post-mitigation test will be below EPA’s 4 pCi/L Action Level.  Call Lodestar Home Inspections for your Radon Gas Testing now : 4234867347

Resource: National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) https://nrpp.info/consumer-faq/

Radon Gas

Radon House
House of Mold

Mold Testing

If mold finds a damp environment, it will start to grow. Molds can produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, mycotoxins. In our homes, allergic reactions, irritation and sinus infections are the most common health effects for people sensitive to mold. Mold can trigger asthma attacks. People with weakened immune systems can develop pneumonia from exposure. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there can be a potential health issue. Lodestar mold inspections includes measuring air humidity, moisture in surface objects and infrared scanning. Sample collections are from surface swabs, tape lifting of specimens and testing air for spores both indoors/outdoors. Samples are sent to a lab. Reports are sent back to your Home Inspector and then forwarded to you. Be sure and check out the Video about mold for details.

Woman coughing after being affected by outdoor allergens

Air Quality Inspection

Many people are affected by outdoor allergens, but did you know that there are allergens in your home can also impact your health and comfort? There are a lot of factors that contribute to indoor air quality, all of which we can monitor and control. If you’re someone who does suffer from allergies, an air quality inspection can identify the causes, which will allow us to take proper action to improve your comfort! In addition to allergens, air quality inspections can also test for other pollutants in your home that can increase health risks. Some of the common ways to improve indoor air quality are by installing HVAC filters with a MERV rating of 11 or higher and upgrading your HVAC system with air purifiers.

Crawlspace BOT

Having a crawlspace bot is vital for home inspections as it grants access to confined spaces that are typically hard to reach. This capability enables me to capture detailed 4K images of potential issues in these areas, enhancing the thoroughness and accuracy of the inspection process.

Proudly Providing Home Inspection Services

Lodestar Home Inspections provides Residential Home Inspections, Pre-listing Home Inspections, New construction Home Inspections,11 month  Builder’s Warranty Home Inspections, Thermal Imaging, Mold Testing, Air Quality Testing, Radon Gas Testing, Moisture Intrusion and Manufactured Home Inspections for the the Greater Chattanooga area, surrounding counties including Northwest Georgia.

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