Inspections and New Homes
It’s long been considered a best practice to get a home inspection when buying a home from another homeowner, but what about when buying a new home? Even if you are buying a new home, you will want to get it professionally inspected for a number of reasons. To start,...
Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Detectors: What’s Different?
Smoke detectors are one of the most common and effective ways to keep your home or business safe. While no one wants a fire to happen at their property, these devices can help alert anyone inside to the risk and give them a chance to call for help and get out of the...
Understanding the Differences of GFCI and AFCI outlets
Electricity is a marvel of the modern world. Most of us would experience a crisis if we had to adjust to life without electricity at home or work, especially since nearly every activity in our day-to-day lives depends on electricity, whether directly or indirectly....
Certified Thermographic Inspections Offer Greater Insight
One of the most important things that sets the team at Pristine Inspections & Testing apart is our skills and knowledge when it comes to thermography. Every member of our inspection team is a Certified Residential Thermographer, CRT, but in case you aren’t...
Crawl Spaces – A Potentially Hidden Danger
The crawl space in your home has the potential for many unwanted issues, as this often unseen area can be a breeding ground for mold. The crawl spaces in many homes tend to have higher humidity levels then both the outside air and the air in the rest of your home,...
Attics, Ventilation and Mold
Mold growth is something every homeowner should be concerned about, but one of the problems with mold is that it can grow in so many different places. While you may be experiencing symptoms of mold inhalation, you may not be able to clearly identify mold as the...
After Winter, Check Your Home Completely
Most homeowners spend time preparing their home for the winter, but many don’t think to check their home again once the season has come and gone. Maybe that’s because spring is a time for hope and new life, and you are starting to do outdoor activities and getting...
Spring Storms and Water Risks
The spring season ushers in the welcoming sights and smells of gorgeous flowers in bloom, a reprieve from the ice and snow following you around all winter and the chance to get outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. However, a large part of the season is spring storms that...
Get a Home Check Up With Us
Hiring an experienced home inspector to check out a property is not only useful when you’re thinking of buying a new house, but also when your current home hasn’t been inspected for quite some time. This is especially true when it comes to some of the less traveled...
Lumber Liquidators’ Laminates Have an Elevated Cancer Risk
Whether you’re in the process of buying a new home or you’re happy with your current house, Pristine Inspections & Testing is here to make sure you live in a safe environment. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for potential threats to homeowners throughout...
Polonium 210 – A Deadly Radon Byproduct
A British court revealed earlier this year that in 2006, Russian spies murdered former KGB operative Alexander Litvinenko using polonium-210. The story blew to massive proportions as Russian president Vladimir Putin said he “probably” approved the killing, showing the...
January is National Radon Awareness Month
Radon is a radioactive gas that’s produced by the earth from naturally occurring uranium in the soil and water decaying over time. This gas is harmful to people when exposed to elevated levels over an extended period of time. In some areas in the country where radon...
What Is Radon, Anyway?
You may have been told that it’s a smart idea to have your property tested for radon, but what is exactly is radon and why is it harmful? Although many homes throughout the U.S. have some level of radon inside, many people are exposed to amounts that can cause a...
Keep Safe During the Holidays
There are a number of things to look forward to throughout the holiday season, including the opportunity to decorate your house and Christmas tree with festive lights. Unfortunately, decorative lights can be safety hazards if not installed and managed properly, so...
Thermography – From Your Inspection to the Pyramids
When it comes to home inspections, thermography can be used to uncover a number of hidden details about a property. Thermography is able to show a portion of electromagnetic wavelengths not visible with the eye, just like x-rays and ultraviolet rays. However,...
Home Inspections: Should You Have One Done?
Some homebuyers in different areas of the country don’t really look at having a home inspection done as a valid investment. However, going ahead with something like this might actually end up saving you money in the long run. When considering getting a home...
The Importance of a Good Smoke Detector
Smoke detectors are vital in keeping homes, families and belongings safe. But, as the saying goes, nothing lasts forever, and that includes smoke detectors. You may not think about your smoke detector when looking for things in your house that require regular...
Water-Powered Options for Sump Pump Backups
We recently discussed why it’s important to have backup batteries and secondary pumps installed in the event that your primary sump pump fails. However, there’s a third option that is a viable option for many homeowners – water-powered backup sump pumps. How exactly...
Drones Offer Opportunities for More Thorough Inspections
Unmanned aerial vehicles – more commonly known as drones – have been a hot topic in recent years. Many criticize the safety of using these small aircrafts in crowded areas, while others cite concerns with privacy or surveillance. However, one great advantage that...
Finding the Right Inspector Is Much More than Just Cost
Finding a good home inspector is a bit like hiring a new employee. You want to make sure you’re getting a fair and reasonable price, but you also want to make absolutely sure that you’re hiring a certified home inspector who is the right person for the job – even if...
Importance of Backup Batteries and Secondary Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are one of the first lines of defense that keep your basement from flooding whenever heavy rains fall or spring snows melt. However, how do you protect your home and your belongings against flooding if your sump pump fails or the power goes out for an...
Looking at Smoke and CO Detector Requirements in Illinois
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have been around for many years, and we often find that homes don’t meet the requirements of Illinois state law. Let’s take a look at what’s necessary under the law to keep your home or apartment both safe and compliant. Smoke...
Why You Should Inspect Your Home Before Selling
We typically hear that you should always inspect a home before you buy it. It turns out though, that the inspection isn’t just for the buyer. Homeowners (sellers) can also benefit from home inspections. Homeowners that are looking to sell their houses and move on to...
Infrared – Plumbing and Leaks
Before making your next call to the plumber, really give thought to trying Infrared Imaging instead. Sure, plumbers who don’t use infrared might be able to unclog your sink, but they won’t be able to tell you the same quality of information that Infrared Imaging can....
Developing Lung Cancer Without Smoking: Cause for Concern
Many Americans die due to lung cancer every year, but many people only attribute these deaths to smoking. As much as smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, there is one cause that sits ahead of secondhand smoking: exposure to Radon. What is Radon? Radon is a...
Installing Furnace Filters
Why do you need a furnace filter? Furnace filters are the main source of protection for the furnace. Furnace filters also clean the air that you are breathing in. Depending on the type of the filter, it can remove lint, pollen, mold spores, animal dander, and possibly...