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...
What is the difference between boiler radiant heat and electric radiant heat?
What is the difference between boiler radiant heating and electric radiant heat? While the main difference is the source of the heat, water vs. electric, there are many more subtle differences that can determine which kind of heating is best for the room or entire...
Radon Testing: Protect your Lungs and Your Family
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. What’s more, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and is responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths as a result of lung cancer each...
4 Reasons to Have your Home Inspected Even When You’re Not Selling
Typically, people think home inspections are only necessary when you’re buying or selling your home. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Although it’s not necessary to have your home inspected each year, we do recommend having your home inspected every 2-5...
First Time Homebuyers: Let’s Cover the Basics
Once you’ve found the perfect place and have made the decision to purchase your first house, you may be at a loss for what to do next. Don't worry; you are in the company of thousands of other first time home buyers! Hopefully you have surrounded yourself with a group...
3 Benefits of Using Infrared During a Home Inspection
Normal home inspections and home inspectors do not use thermal imaging, which is sometimes referred to as “infrared.” This equipment can be expensive but provides an infinite amount of information to help the inspector analyze your house. An infrared camera is able...
Home Inspection Red Flags Buyers Should Be Aware Of
Buying a home is one of the biggest and most important purchases you will make in your life, but before you sign on the dotted line, you’ll certainly want to make sure things are safe, secure and in working order. So with that being said, check out a few of the...
Is Your Inspector Following the Code of Ethics?
Organizations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) each hold their own set of standards, outlining a detailed code of ethics and professionalism. From issues surrounding conflicts of...
Boost Home Buyer Confidence with a Home Inspection
This is not the first time that we have heard that prospective homebuyers are more apt to purchase a home that has had a pre-listing home inspection but the American Society of Home Inspectors confirmed that. According to a survey conducted by the ASHI, 84 percent of...
Repair or Replace: How Do You Know?
Sometimes it’s hard to decipher whether or not your home appliances, such as your water heater, need a quick repair or a replacement all together. In instances like this, it's best to listen to advice from a professional and call on the expertise of a licensed home...
How Home Sellers Benefit from a Professional Inspection
The buying and selling process can be extremely overwhelming for all parties, especially with keeping the house clean, making sure pets are secured, leaving for showings and the phone calls, emails and negotiations. For the buyer, one of the most important factors on...
A Glimpse at Water Heaters of the Past
RUUD is a leader in the water heating industry, offering an extensive selection of products from tank, tankless and solar water heating systems. When we take a look at water heaters of the past, such as those constructed by RUUD, it’s important to note these different...
January is National Radon Awareness Month
The worst part about radon exposure is the fact that you can’t smell, taste or see it, but it can still be present in your home, office, daycare facility or school. As we honor January as Radon Awareness Month and celebrate 30 years of Radon Awareness in 2014, it’s...
What Makes Passive Mitigation Effective or Ineffective
This past summer, a statewide Minnesota building code was put in effect in order to reduce the risk of exposure to the cancer-causing agent known as radon. The code was initiated after a staggering 40 percent of the homes that were tested for radon came back at levels...
Radon Testing in Daycare Centers
The odorless radioactive gas known as radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, should be the last of a parent’s concern when dropping their child off at daycare; this is supposed to be a safe and loving space for a child when they are away from...
Radon Levels in South Korean Homes are 2nd Highest in the World
As the cause of 21,000 deaths each year in the U.S., radon gas is a carcinogen that is officially the second most common cause of lung cancer, right after cigarette smoking. When it comes to radon exposure, there are levels which are considered to be acceptable by the...
How Do you Choose the Right Home Inspector?
Whether you are in the market for a new home or are looking to purchase additional property, real estate is a hefty investment. For this reason alone, it is imperative that you are educated on what your purchase entails. An investment in a home inspector is not nearly...
Is Testing for Radon a Health or Financial Decision?
When it comes to testing for radon, there is a big divide between those who believe in its negative effects on health and those who are convinced that the effects are either non-existent or very minimal. The primary reason why I first began testing homes was due to...
Home Inspections Can Prevent a Future Mess
Most people go looking for homes that are move-in ready. While there are some people who are willing to invest the time and energy into fixer-uppers, the majority of house hunters want something they can walk right into and start living. For many of these people, the...
Get a mold inspection before it’s too late
Having mold in your home can be a major nightmare. It can spread like wildfire, from damp places like your basement, up through your kitchen and living area. It can also spread downward from the roof boards in your attic down to bedrooms and bathrooms. Before it’s too...
Common home inspection problems
When perspective buyers get an inspection done a home, they’re usually looking for, “Ok looks great, nothing is wrong.” That, though, rarely happens. There’s always something that’s needed to be improved or something that isn’t up to code. Here are some common...
Selling your home? Get a Pre-Sale Inspection
When you’re very interested in buying a home, one of the first things you mark off from your checklist is getting a home inspection. But what about getting an inspection before you sell your home? First, it’s never a bad idea to ever get your home inspected, even when...