Holmes Inspection Season 1 Episode 4 New Beginnings

In season 1 episode 4 of Holmes Inspection, titled "New Beginnings," acclaimed home inspector Mike Holmes takes on another challenging renovation project. This time, he ventures to Spruce Grove, Alberta where homebuyers Catherine and Bryan are about to close the deal on their dream home. The house is a stunning two-story property with a spacious backyard and ample living space. It seems like the perfect house for the couple who are expecting their first child, but Mike Holmes is called in by Bryan's family to do a thorough inspection before they finalize their purchase.

The episode starts with the initial inspection of the house. Mike and his team conduct a walkthrough of the house to identify any problems or potential hazards that need urgent attention. They soon find several red flags; the electrical wiring is outdated, the plumbing is corroded, and the foundation has water damage. Mike starts to suspect that the home has been poorly maintained and that previous renovations were done haphazardly. Despite this, the home’s overall structure and design are still desirable.

Mike quickly realizes that the renovations required to make the home safe and comfortable for Catherine, Bryan, and their baby need to be extensive. The episode then follows the team as they demolish and rebuild the home's foundation while also updating the electrical and plumbing systems. They added additional support structure to the newly constructed foundation to ensure it's structurally sound and safe.

During the plumbing inspection, they found pipe corrosion that required the replacement of all of the pipes. For safety and compliance with building codes, Mike advises Catherine and Bryan to remove the wood paneling covering the main electrical wires, which turn out to be outdated and poorly maintained. Mike took note of the copper plumbing issue and replaced it with plastic PEX piping. The new plumbing is more efficient and will last for many years with proper upkeep.

The team revealed that the house also had multiple leaks and drafts throughout the structure that were causing the home's insulation to deteriorate. Due to the region's cold climate, insulation was crucial. Mike decided to replace the insulation with a more efficient spray foam type, and they fixed the air leaks that were causing the drafts in the home. Removing the drafts improved the overall safety, quality, and functionality of the house.

As part of the renovation work, Mike also decided to upgrade the living areas of the house to make it more comfortable for Catherine, Bryan, and their family. They redesigned the kitchen and updated the flooring to durable tiles, which would be more resistant to wear and tear and impacts associated with normal use. They also added more windows to bring in natural light and increase the aesthetic appeal of the home.

Throughout the episode, Mike consistently demonstrates his vast knowledge and experience as a home inspector. He stops at nothing to ensure that the renovations are done right, even if it means stripping the house down to its structure. Asides from the home inspections and renovation work, the episode details the personalities of Catherine and Bryan and their excitement of their new beginnings as parents, their hope for their newly renovated home.

Overall, "New Beginnings" is an informative and engaging episode of Holmes Inspection that showcases the expertise of Mike Holmes and his team. It demonstrates the importance of thorough home inspections and the implications of poor maintenance by previous homeowners. For Catherine and Bryan, this episode revealed the challenges that come with homeownership, but it also shows that a diligent and experienced team of professionals can help improve their living situation and transform their home into a safe and comfortable space.