What We Look for During a Roof Inspection
The roof is an incredibly important building component as it not only protects a home from the elements but it also insulates to retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Given the roof is an essential [...]
Should You Buy a Log Home?
Lakeside log homes are extremely common in northern Minnesota but yesterday I arrived to inspect a property in a western, Twin Cities suburb and to my surprise, it was a charming log home. Log homes have some characteristics that are [...]
On the Fence about Testing for Mold?
Last week I inspected a beautiful lake home built in 2005. Given its age, I didn’t expect to find many of the defects typical of much older homes. The roof and exterior were in relatively great shape and although I [...]
Is Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?
Duct cleaning has become popular in recent years with many commercial cleaners advertising this service. If you’ve never paid to have it done, are you missing out? Is your home dirtier as a result? I came across a filthy air [...]
How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit
Your outdoor air conditioning unit has been sitting outside all year, collecting a year’s worth of dirt and debris around its cooling fins. If you want to keep your air conditioner running with high energy efficiency, we recommend you clean [...]
How to Test Your Sump Pump
Just for a moment, imagine a rising tide is attempting to come through your basement wall. This is often what happens in heavy rains or rapid, Minnesota snow melts. A sump pump and drain tile system (along with gutters, grading, [...]
Stuck at Home? Tackle These House Projects
In light of the global situation involving COVID-19, many of us will be staying home a great deal more than anticipated in the coming weeks and months. At first, a little unexpected time at home may sound like a dream [...]
Protecting Our Clients & the Homes We Inspect
We are all navigating uncharted waters as we deal with this global pandemic. The health and safety of buyers, sellers, agents and our own employees is our top priority. Branch Property Investigations has taken adaptive steps to best meet the [...]
Why Get a Home Inspection if You’re Buying As-Is?
In this highly competitive Twin Cities market, some home buyers are waiving their inspection contingency to make their offer more competitive. When buyers agree to purchase “as is”, they are eliminating the negotiation process where sellers might be asked to [...]
Is Mold Testing in My Home Necessary?
Inhaling or touching mold may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If someone in your home has been ill without relief or explanation, testing for mold may be a wise idea. Also, if a medical health professional has detected symptoms [...]
Infrared Thermal Imaging Benefits in Inspections
Infrared thermal imaging allows unseen problems to be discovered during a home inspection. We are trained to identify problems and areas for potential problems, but we can only see so much with our eyes alone. An infrared camera can reveal [...]
What is a Passive Radon Mitigation System?
A passive radon system is a radon system without a radon exhaust fan. A passive system typically runs from the basement sump basket or drain tile and exhausts through the roof, without the use of an active radon exhaust fan. [...]