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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]