56 - Friday, February 5, 1999 - Nozth Snore News

Plastic Pelybutyline plumbing could fail

From pase AT

ofa completed structure.

Newt, we see the fee. As
this is a vital step in the
acquisition process and we
want a competent and pro-
tessigaal fab, be prenaced to
Pay an above-average tee. A
thorough property inspec:
tion may take 4 to 6 hours
with additional time to write
a complete report.

To gain a certified report
carried out by a professional
I would recommend a fee in
the $350 to $450 range.

Sure, vou can get one
more cheaply, and many will
oftes their services for less,
bur often you get what vou
pay for, Remember travelers,
competence and tharough-
ness is seldom found is bar-
gain basement bins.

If vou want truly protes-
sional expertise, be willing to
pay the price.

In assessing the merits of
a home inspector what ques:
tions and references should
you be asking and looking
for?

In researching this col-
umn [calked with members
of WAPL This group of pro-
fessionals passed on to me
several interesting articles
and a great deal of industry
savvy which Tin turn pass on
to you:

@ Ensure thax any inspector
declares in writing that they
work independently from
any realtor, renovation con-
tractor or any like service
that may be associated with
or reflect upon the objectivi-
ty of the inspector's report.
Do not ask realtors for the

| MICHELLE
ROGERS

name of a home inspector
Rather ask friends, relatives
or call the WAPE tor refer
ral.

B Do not delegate the
responsibility of cheasing an
inspector, do this task your:
self

B Ask the inspector how
much actual ime will be
spent on the inspection
itselt. (2 te 3 hours fora
typical home. }

Bifaz all possible, atend
the inspection with the
inspector. Do not interter
or ask questions, Whatever
the inspector says during his
Inspection that vou feel is
relevant to vour buying deci-
sion ensure that comment ts
written and addressed in the
final report.

B Ask for references from
previous clients and phone
those references.

@ Ask how long they have
heen in the property inspec -
tion business, how many
individual inspection reports
have they been commis:
sioned to pertorm (less than
25 is generally too Tittle).

@ Ask fer proof of courses
they have taken and diplo-
mas/degrees they have
obtained that are pertinent
to the inspection process.

@ Only use an inspector that
will supply vou with a full
written report (no one page
checklists, please) and is
available to answer any ques-
tions you may have in read-
ing the finished report.

@ Be wary of any comments
the inspector may make that
may affect your purchasing
decision and thar are outside
of their area of expertise

“NORTH SHORE”
926-6718

808-2344

Coming Soon to the Hottest Location

«

“WE PUT YOUR NEEDS
ABOVE THE COMMISSION™

in W

such as comments abour the
neighbourhood, marker con:
ditions, price, ete.

@ Ensure the inspector “cer
tifles” all aspeets of the final
report he/she prepares and
thar they have no interest
with apy party that may gain
trom the sale of the proper:
ty. Hopetully this will ensure
an unbiased report.

[If vou want more specific
intormartion or the name ofa
pre erly Hispector ANSE whited
with WAPH, call 604-588
9174

The property inspection
Process 18.2 vial component
of the home buying process.
Having it performed by a
professional can save you
tens of thousands of dollars
and eliminate plenty of post
Acquisition taghtmares.

Alert: [n my discussions
with WAPT. they alerted me
io a serious problem Twas
nor aware Of and itis one |
believe all homeowners
should know,

It concerns Polyburyline
plumbing and some radiant
heating systems.

Polybutyline plumbing is
characterized by plastic pipe
and in thousands of cases
this pluntbing system has
failed with resulting severe
and costly damages.
American homeowners have
been awarded millions of
dollars in compensation
through class action law
suits. If vour home has plas-
tic plumbing it may be
Polvbutyline plumbing
(often grey in colour) and it

rth Vancouver!

at Fauenwooda!

2 bedrooms, 2 baths, fabulous forest exposure, huge ground level
patio, 1 year old. Priced in the $170's

has been demonstrated ta
fail.

A chas action suit is being
prepared by North
Vancouver law firm, Povner,
Baxter, Plaxland. In their let
ter of April 3, 1998 they
emourage all homeowners
with potential polyburvline
plumbing to contict James
Poener at their attice, Call
604-873-1981,

This type of plumbing is

easily identified and the
problems associated with this
tyne of plumbing can be ree:
uted. In exantining yor
plumbing system), if veur
pipes are not made ofa
snetal they may be made of
Poh butyhne and the experts
say this system may eventual
Iw teak, The kev to solving
this potential problem is
identificauon of the pol
butyling plunibing svsten.

Apparentiy, the technolo.
gy evists to Ay this potential
problem berore it becomes
one. Take heed. Travelers,

—— Michal Dawry is rice
president, Specind Projects of
lentury 2b Prudential
do ifvou have a qeu-
State question vou
lim ta address in
cofimins call and leave
qitestian at 925-6433.

weld
putt

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

Ready, set, go

GLEWDA Zander gets two contestants ready for the fourth annual Turtle Hurdles to
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