NAHI Members deploy to Gulf Coast to assist with relief effort.

The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) now has Members working under FEMA to perform habitability inspections in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The inspection reports are required as part of the FEMA claim process. In addition, NAHI members are also working with non-profit organizations in the relief and recovery efforts.

Andrew Haslett, a NAHI Member from Elizabethtown, Kentucky has been in Louisiana for the last several weeks. He typically performs 10-12 FEMA inspections a day. He said that some of the homes on higher ground are in better shape than others. He has been living in a FEMA tent city for the last 3 weeks.

NAHI Member Everett Rawlings was in D’iberville, Mississippi as part of the relief effort and was shocked by the amount of damage he saw. “D’iberville, which is near Biloxi, didn’t have the high winds that other areas had,” said Rawlings. “But it did have a storm surge of 25 to 30 ft. which flooded most of the homes in the area. The homes had extensive water damage as well as mud and debris in the flooded rooms.”

NAHI Member Claude McGavic was in Slidell, LA and saw that many of the homes had little that was salvageable. “Many of the homes had both wind and water damage to the extent that they will have to be stripped to the studs before they can be rebuilt. It’s a sad situation for both homeowners and businesses in the area,” said McGavic.

With the recent heavy rains and severe weather in the Gulf States, moisture intrusion issues may be a problem for many homeowners. The most common means of moisture intrusion noted by home inspectors are through the following avenues: gaining entry through the basement or foundation; worn roof coverings; deteriorated roof vent flashing serving both plumbing fixtures and mechanical equipment; improperly installed or worn chimney flashing; and doors and windows that have not been properly weather sealed. Plumbing and drainage problems can escalate into health issues as molds can grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present. Homeowners need to identify the source of the leaks and make sure the affected areas are dried out. A qualified home inspector can help identify these issues.

To locate a qualified inspector near you, call NAHI at (800) 448-3942, or visit their website at www.NAHI.org. Since 1987, NAHI, a non-profit voluntary membership organization has been providing education, training, and support services to the real estate inspection industry and to the public. Inspectors must adhere to NAHI's Code of Ethics and follow the Standards of Practice developed by the association.