Frequently Asked Questions

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TrueScope Home Inspections is a licensed home inspection company that provides thorough and professional home inspection and ancillary services to home buyers, sellers, and homeowners.

A home inspection can uncover any potential issues with the property and provide you with valuable information about the condition of the home. This can help you make an informed decision about your purchase or sale and avoid any surprises down the line.

A typical home inspection includes a thorough examination of the home's foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other systems and components. Our inspectors will provide you with a detailed report highlighting any issues or concerns they may find.

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, and colorless radioactive gas that forms from the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation, sump pumps, crawlspaces, or other openings. When inhaled over time, radon breaks down in the lungs and releases radiation that can damage lung tissue and lead to cancer.

The EPA has identified radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, right after smoking.

Testing is the only way to determine if your home has elevated radon levels. It’s a simple, non-invasive process that can make a big difference in long-term health and safety.

For more information, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radon page:

 www.epa.gov/radon

 A water dye test is a method used to trace the movement of water or wastewater in a building's plumbing system.

This test is helpful for:

• Identifying leaks or hidden plumbing problems
• Detecting illegal or cross-connections between plumbing systems 
• Confirming whether stormwater or sewage systems are properly separated
   

For potential homeowners, it’s a cost-effective way to verify that the plumbing systems are functioning correctly and safely, especially in older homes or properties with previous water damage.

A water quality test analyzes your home's water supply for harmful contaminants, especially if your home uses a private well, is in a rural area, or has older plumbing.

There are different types of water quality tests, including:

• Bacteria Testing – Checks for total coliform and E. coli, which can indicate contamination from sewage or animal waste 
• Lead Testing – Important in homes with old pipes or solder 
• Nitrate/Nitrite Testing – Especially important in agricultural areas, as these can harm infants and pregnant women 
• pH and Hardness Testing – Measures water acidity and mineral content 
• Iron, Manganese, Chloride Testing – Tests for taste, staining, and corrosion issues
   

Testing ensures your water is safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in, and it provides critical peace of mind — especially for families, pregnant individuals, or those with health concerns.

For more guidance, visit the New York State Department of Health’s water quality resources:

www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking

Mold testing helps determine whether a suspicious substance in your home is mold, what type it is, and how much is present in the air or on surfaces. Mold often grows in damp, poorly ventilated areas like basements, bathrooms, or attics — and sometimes behind walls or under flooring where you can’t see it.

While some molds are harmless, others can cause:

• Allergic reactions 
• Respiratory issues (especially in children, elderly, and people with asthma) 
• Headaches, fatigue, or sinus problems

For homebuyers, mold testing can uncover hidden issues before purchase. For homeowners, it’s the first step in understanding if professional remediation is needed.

Learn more from the New York State Department of Health:
www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/mold

Truescope promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics, and inspection procedures. Our members subscribe to the following Code of Ethics in the course of their business.

Duty to the Public

1. The Truescope member shall abide by the Code of Ethics and substantially follow the Truescope Standards of Practice.
2. The Truescope member shall not engage in any practices that could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the home inspection industry.
3. The Truescope member shall be fair, honest and impartial, and act in good faith in dealing with the public.
4. The Truescope member shall not discriminate in any business activities on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, or handicap, and shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws concerning discrimination.
5. The Truescope member shall be truthful regarding the member's services and qualifications.
6. The Truescope member shall not:
   • have any disclosed or undisclosed conflict of interest with the client;
   • accept or offer any disclosed or undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits, or other benefit from or to real estate agents, brokers, or any third parties having financial interest in the sale of the property; or
   • offer or provide any disclosed or undisclosed financial compensation directly or indirectly to any real estate agent, real estate broker, or real estate company for referrals or for inclusion on lists of preferred and/or affiliated inspectors or inspection companies.

7.  The Truescope member shall not release any information about the inspection or the client to a third party unless doing so is necessary to protect the safety of others, to comply with a law or statute, or both of the following conditions are met:

• the client has been made explicitly aware of what information will be released, to whom, and for what purpose, and;
• the client has provided explicit, prior written consent for the release of their information.

8.  The Truescope member shall always act in the interests of the client unless doing so violates a law, statute, or this Code of Ethics.

9.  The Truescope member shall use a written contract that specifies the services to be performed, limitations of services, and fees.

10.  The Truescope member shall comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where the member conducts business.

11.  The Truescope member shall not perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs or associated services to the structure for which the member or member's company has prepared a home inspection report for a period of 12 months. This provision shall not include services to components and/or systems that are not included in the Truescope Home Inspection Standards of Practice.

Duty to Continue Education

1. The Truescope member who has earned the Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) designation shall comply with Truescope's current Continuing Education requirements.
2. The Truescope member who has earned the Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) designation shall pass Truescope's Online Inspector Exam once every three years.

Duty to the Profession and to Truescope

1. The Truescope member shall strive to improve the home inspection industry by sharing the member's lessons and/or experiences for the benefit of all. This does not preclude the member from copyrighting or marketing the member's expertise to other Inspectors or the public in any manner permitted by law.
2. The Truescope member shall assist the Truescope leadership in disseminating and publicizing the benefits of Truescope membership.
3. The Truescope member shall not engage in any act or practice that could be deemed damaging, seditious or destructive to Truescope, fellow Truescope members, or Truescope employees, leadership, or directors. Accusations of a member acting or deemed in violation of such rules shall trigger a review by the Ethics Committee for possible sanctions and/or expulsion from Truescope.

Home Inspection Standards of Practice.