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. [...]
Does It Pay to Get a Home Inspection During the Winter?
This time of year we are frequently asked, “Is it worth getting a home inspection in the winter?” Minne-snow-ta can pose some challenges to a full exterior investigation but undoubtedly, getting a home inspection prior to purchasing is still a [...]
How to Prevent Galvanic Corrosion
Galvanic corrosion is often a major concern anywhere pipes of dissimilar materials connect. I routinely see this visible in basements. It's important to educate homeowners and prospective home buyers on how to prevent galvanic corrosion. A simple preventive repair can [...]
Is Radon Testing Necessary?
All homes in Minnesota should be tested for radon. Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It's the second leading cause of cancer in America, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This gas is [...]
Is Knob and Tube Wiring Safe?
Knob and tube (K&T) wiring is a system of electrical wiring common in homes built from 1880’s – 1930’s. I came across it while inspecting a Minneapolis home last week that was built in 1914. I want to shed some [...]
Get a Sewer Inspection Before Buying an Older Home
Most first-time homebuyers know they should get a home inspection but sewer inspections are generally an after-thought. I try to educate my clients that this is one of the most important inspections a buyer of older homes can conduct. A [...]
How to Keep Pipes from Freezing
One of the joys of homeownership in Minnesota is learning how to keep your pipes from freezing. Why? Because when water freezes, it expands and can cause your home’s pipes to burst. Frozen pipes may cause flooding in parts of [...]
Non-Reversing Garage Door Hazards
When we inspect a home, we test all aspects of a garage door’s functionality. We routinely see door defects pertaining to the manual quick-release or a missing safety wire. However, the non-reversing automatic feature is a safety hazard that warrants [...]
How to Avoid Overloaded Circuits with Christmas Lights
If your goal is to take your holiday lights display to the next level, you might want to consider the risks involved with an overloaded circuit. It’s unlikely you’ll cause a blackout to your entire city. However, you certainly can [...]
Water and Your Masonry Chimney
The chimney is one of the most taken-for-granted parts of a home. We don’t pay it much attention but masonry chimney defects are frequently flagged in my inspections. Regular chimney maintenance is essential to prevent damage, deterioration, and future high-cost [...]
Is My Attic Properly Insulated?
I inspect a great deal of older Twin Cities’ homes built between 1920-1960 that are insulated improperly. Many of them have added attic insulation in the wrong places, so I want to help clients understand the impact. What’s the big [...]
House Hunting? Check Out These 7 Areas Before You Make an Offer
I don’t like to see clients spend money on a home inspection and quickly realize they should never have made an offer in the first place. Find the right house, THEN invest the money to make a deep-dive home inspection [...]