Professional Home Inspection in Roxborough, PA

InterNACHI-certified home inspection serving Roxborough and all of Philadelphia County. Bob personally inspects every major system — structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, foundation, and exterior envelope — against ASHI and InterNACHI standards. Full 24-hour photo-documented report. 4.9★, 169 Google reviews.

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Inspections typically scheduled within the week. Bob returns every call within 24 hours.

4.9 on Google
★★★★★

"I had a great experience with Bob. I attended the inspection as well and he answered all the questions I had. It seemed to be a very thorough inspection and he got the report back to me pretty quickly in a little under 2 days."

— Nina Sapientia, via Google Reviews
★★★★★

"I highly recommend using All Seasons. Bob was extremely thorough and took the time to answer all my questions. What is also extraordinary is that he answered all my calls right away after the report was issued. You don't find many companies that will do that."

— Sue, via Google Reviews
★★★★★

"We're so glad we went with Bob. He was professional, thorough, easy to talk to, prompt, and genuinely great to work with. He especially made a point of helping us avoid common pitfalls and unnecessary extra remediation costs. Enthusiastically recommending him to anyone looking for a great home inspector."

— Cary Marcous, via Google Reviews
★★★★★

"As a first-time homebuyer, Bob's thoroughness, attention to detail, and willingness to answer any and all questions made me feel extremely comfortable. He took the time to explain all findings and make me a part of the process. I couldn't recommend Bob enough."

— Kyra Quigley, via Google Reviews
★★★★★ Read All Our Google Reviews

Roxborough, Philadelphia County

What does a home inspection in Roxborough include?

A home inspection in Roxborough, Philadelphia County is a top-to-bottom evaluation of a single property — foundation, structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and exterior envelope — performed in person by Bob against ASHI and InterNACHI standards, with a full photo-documented digital report delivered inside 24 hours.

Roxborough sits on the high ridge above the Schuylkill River in Northwest Philadelphia, with Ridge Avenue running as its spine from the Manayunk border up through the Andorra section near the Montgomery County line. It is fundamentally a residential neighborhood, distinct in character from the commercial canal district of Manayunk one topographic step below it. Most of the housing stock is 1890s through 1930s brick twins and row-twins stepped up the terraced side streets off Ridge Avenue, Henry Avenue, and Domino Lane, with a pocket of Arts-and-Crafts singles in upper Andorra and some turned-wood Victorians on Leverington Avenue and Conarroe Street. Wissahickon schist foundations and retaining walls are everywhere, quarried from the same ridge the neighborhood is built on. The topography is the single biggest factor driving inspection findings here. Streets like Wigard Avenue, Hermit Lane, and the upper Leverington blocks drop steeply toward the Wissahickon Valley Park and Forbidden Drive entry at Valley Green, and water moves downhill through party walls, basement floors, and schist foundation joints in ways flat-lot neighborhoods never see. Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Roxborough High School, and the Cardinal Dougherty corridor anchor the middle of the ridge; the Schuylkill River Trail runs along the base.

I have been inspecting homes in Roxborough for more than twenty years, and the defect pattern here is specific enough that I treat it differently than anywhere else in Philadelphia County. On a terraced twin off Ridge Avenue a couple of years back, the buyer walked me through a finished basement that looked clean and dry at the front wall but had a concealed party-wall seepage path the seller had covered with paneling. Water was entering from the uphill neighbor and tracking along the Wissahickon schist foundation joint where lime mortar had washed out. That is the most common Roxborough call I get, and it is invisible without pulling trim and checking the party-wall side at grade. Beyond that: cast-iron waste stacks from the 1910s and 1920s routinely show pinhole corrosion at the first-floor elbow, knob-and-tube wiring still lives in third-floor attic conversions on Conarroe Street and Manayunk Avenue where finished-attic permits often predate Philadelphia L and I electrical updates, original slate roofs on the older twins are frequently at end of life with failing copper flashing, and the turned-wood porch support columns on upper Leverington Victorians rot at the base from splash-back. My reports flag each of these with photos and plain-language explanations so buyers in Roxborough can separate normal century-home aging from the issues that need attention before closing.

20+
Years of Experience
1900s–1960s
Primary Housing Era
4.9★
Google Rating (159)
2
National Certifications

What does Bob check during a Roxborough home inspection?

Bob approaches every Roxborough inspection per ASHI and InterNACHI Standards of Practice. With 1900s–1960s housing stock dominant in Roxborough, he focuses on the era-specific concerns that affect early to mid-20th century construction in Philadelphia County.

Block & Poured Foundations with Clay Laterals

1920s–1940s homes typically feature poured concrete or concrete block foundations — an improvement over stone, but still vulnerable to cracking and water intrusion after 80+ years. Bob pays special attention to clay sewer laterals common in this era, which suffer from tree root intrusion and joint separation.

Early Electrical Upgrades & Oil-to-Gas Conversions

Many homes from this era have had multiple electrical upgrades layered over original wiring — sometimes creating code violations where old and new systems connect improperly. Bob also evaluates oil-to-gas furnace conversions, checking that chimney liners, supply lines, and venting meet current safety standards.

Original Slate Roofs & Plaster-Over-Lath Moisture

Original slate and clay tile roofs from the 1920s–1940s may still be serviceable but require careful inspection for worn fasteners and deteriorating underlayment. Bob checks for plaster-over-lath moisture issues where exterior water intrusion saturates wall cavities behind intact-looking plaster surfaces.

Plaster Walls, Hardwood Floors & Early Insulation

These homes feature quality craftsmanship — hardwood floors, plaster walls, built-in cabinetry — but often lack adequate insulation by modern standards. Bob evaluates whether past insulation retrofits were done properly and checks for moisture trapped behind plaster from exterior or plumbing leaks.

Because so much of Roxborough's housing stock predates 1940, original wiring is a recurring finding here. Bob wrote a detailed field guide on knob-and-tube wiring in Philadelphia-area homes — how to identify it, when it is genuinely hazardous, and what insurers require.

What are common issues in Roxborough homes?

Based on 20+ years inspecting early to mid-20th century homes in Philadelphia County, these are the issues Bob finds most often in Roxborough's 1900s–1960s housing stock:

  • Clay sewer laterals with tree root intrusion and bellied sections
  • Layered electrical upgrades with code violations at old/new connections
  • Oil-to-gas furnace conversions with improper chimney liner sizing
  • Original slate or clay tile roofs reaching end of useful life
  • Plaster-over-lath moisture damage hidden behind intact-looking walls
  • Inadequate insulation and single-pane windows driving high energy costs

Ready to schedule your Roxborough inspection?

Inspections typically scheduled within the week. Bob returns every call within 24 hours.

Also Available: Mold Testing & Air Quality in Roxborough

In addition to home inspections, Bob provides professional mold testing and air quality analysis for Roxborough properties. PRO-LAB certified lab results starting from $290.

Learn About Mold Testing in Roxborough

Schedule Your Home Inspection in Roxborough

Same-week appointments available. Bob personally oversees every inspection — you always know who's walking through your home.

610-348-6728

Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm • Urgent pre-closing available

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Inspection Services in Roxborough

  • Residential Home Inspection
  • Pre-Listing Inspection
  • New Construction Inspection
  • 11-Month Warranty Inspection
  • WDI / Termite Inspection
  • Radon Testing

Pricing for Roxborough

Home Inspection
Full inspection + 24-hour report
From $325

Every home is different. Call Bob for your specific quote — he'll give you an honest number on the spot.

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"24-hour report. You always get Bob. My name is on every inspection I do."
InterNACHI Certified • 20+ Years Experience • No Conflict of Interest
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From the Field

From a recent Roxborough inspection

Real findings Bob documented on the job in Roxborough — the detail that goes in your same-day, photo-rich report.

Cracked cast iron waste drain pipe in a Roxborough, PA basement documented during a home inspection, showing corrosion along the aged drain line
A cracked cast iron waste drain in the basement, a plumbing failure point flagged during a Roxborough home inspection.
Open electrical splice with exposed wire connections in a Roxborough, PA attic found during a home inspection, an unsafe uncovered junction
An open, unenclosed electrical splice in the attic, a fire and shock hazard identified during a Roxborough home inspection.
Sloping dining room floor showing settlement in a Roxborough, PA home documented during a home inspection, indicating uneven structural support
Floor settlement in the dining room, a structural movement concern noted during a Roxborough home inspection.
Water heater temperature and pressure relief valve missing its discharge tube in a Roxborough, PA home found during a home inspection
A water heater relief valve missing its discharge tube, a scalding safety defect caught during a Roxborough home inspection.

Why Choose Bob

Why do Roxborough homeowners choose All Seasons?

01

You Always Get Bob

When you hire All Seasons, Bob personally oversees your inspection — start to finish. No corporate dispatch, no unknown inspector. You know exactly who's walking through your Roxborough home.

02

InterNACHI Certified

InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector with 20+ years of specialized expertise in Philadelphia County's 1900s–1960s housing stock.

03

24-Hour Reports

Your detailed, photo-rich inspection report delivered the same day. No waiting — so you can make decisions within your contract timeline.

04

Early to mid-20th century Expertise

Bob has deep experience with 1920s–1940s construction — homes built with real craftsmanship but aging infrastructure. He knows the common failure points: clay laterals, layered electrical upgrades, oil-to-gas conversions, and plaster moisture issues that other inspectors miss.

From the Blog

What should Roxborough homebuyers know about inspections?

What Should a Home Inspector Actually Check?

Read More →

How to Evaluate a Home Inspector

Read More →

Get in Touch

How do I schedule a home inspection in Roxborough?

Same-week appointments available throughout the Philadelphia region.

Serving Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester & Delaware Counties. All major credit cards accepted.

Tell Us About Your Property

Bob returns every call within 24 hours. Inspections typically scheduled within the week. No spam, no email lists.

Common Questions

What are common home inspection questions in Roxborough?

Questions buyers and sellers in Roxborough ask us most often — answered directly.

Home inspections in Roxborough start at $325. Final pricing depends on square footage, property age, number of outbuildings, and whether add-on services (radon, sewer scope, termite, mold air sampling) are bundled. Call Bob directly at 610-348-6728 — he gives honest per-property quotes on the first call, not a menu price list.
Every Roxborough inspection is run against ASHI and InterNACHI standards and covers foundation and structural systems, electrical panel and accessible wiring, plumbing supply and waste lines, HVAC equipment and distribution, roof and attic, exterior envelope and grading, interior finishes, windows and doors, and insulation and ventilation. You receive a photo-documented digital report within 24 hours.
Most Roxborough inspections run 2-3 hours on-site depending on square footage and property age. Bob encourages buyers to attend — the in-person walk-through at the end is where the report becomes useful, not just something you read later.
Every home inspection in Roxborough is performed in person by Bob Klebanoff — the same licensed InterNACHI- and ASHI-certified inspector who shows up to every appointment. No rotating technicians, no subcontractors, no handing the job off once you book. Findings are documented with photographs and a plain-language repair-cost range, sorted into immediate safety concerns versus planned-maintenance items, so you can decide whether to negotiate, accept, or walk. Nothing gets buried in jargon.
The ridge drops sharply off Ridge Avenue toward the Wissahickon Valley, and water moves downhill through everything. On a terraced lot, I pay particular attention to the uphill side of the foundation, the party-wall joint on a twin, and any below-grade rear addition. Grading, downspout discharge, and the condition of Wissahickon schist retaining walls matter far more here than on a flat lot. A Roxborough home can look fine cosmetically and still have an active seepage path the seller never saw.
Most pre-1930 homes in Roxborough have foundations laid in Wissahickon schist with lime mortar. I check for washed-out mortar joints at the uphill side, stones that have shifted or dropped, efflorescence indicating moisture migration, and any repointing that used modern Portland cement on top of lime mortar, which traps water and accelerates stone spalling. A sound schist foundation can last another century with proper repointing. One that has been cement-capped without addressing drainage is usually the more expensive problem.
Party walls on Roxborough twins are a real inspection concern, especially on terraced blocks where the uphill unit controls runoff that flows through the shared foundation joint. I look for moisture staining on the shared wall, separation at the floor-wall joint in the basement, and any evidence that the neighboring property has grading or downspout issues pushing water your way. These are conversations to have before closing, not after, because remediation often requires cooperation from the adjacent owner.
Upper Andorra, near the Montgomery County line, has more detached single-family homes from the 1920s through post-war era, often Arts-and-Crafts or Tudor-influenced, on larger lots with less extreme grading. Lower Roxborough, closer to the Manayunk border, is denser row-twin and twin stock from the 1890s through 1920s on terraced lots. The housing eras overlap but the defect patterns differ: Andorra calls lean toward aging post-war mechanicals and slate roofs, while lower Roxborough calls lean toward foundation drainage, party-wall seepage, and knob-and-tube in attic conversions.
Yes, frequently. Third-floor attic conversions on streets like Conarroe, Manayunk Avenue, and the upper Leverington blocks often retain original knob-and-tube circuits, especially when the conversion predates modern Philadelphia L and I permit records. The bigger issue is when blown-in insulation has been installed over active K and T, which is a fire hazard. I pull attic access, check panel circuits against what is actually energized, and document exactly what is live versus abandoned.
Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections maintains online permit records searchable by address through the city's eCLIPSE system. I recommend buyers pull the permit history before or during the inspection window, especially for any home where the listing mentions a finished basement, attic conversion, rear addition, or kitchen renovation. Missing permits for major work is common in Roxborough's older stock, and it matters both for liability and for whether the work was inspected by the city when it was done.
Original slate roofs on the 1890s through 1920s twins are frequently at or near end of life. I check for cracked, slipped, or missing slates, deteriorated copper flashing at valleys and chimneys, and signs of prior repairs done with asphalt patches rather than matched slate. A healthy slate roof is one of the best roofs on the planet. One that has been piecemeal-repaired for decades usually needs a full replacement sooner than buyers expect.
Cast-iron waste stacks in Roxborough homes from the 1910s and 1920s commonly show pinhole corrosion, most often at the first-floor elbow or at the basement horizontal run. Galvanized steel supply plumbing on the same vintage corrodes internally over forty to sixty years and is a frequent finding. I test water pressure at multiple fixtures, inspect visible pipe condition at the basement ceiling, and note any sections that have been partially replaced with copper or PEX, which is a common sign that more replacement is coming.
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