A five-minute look at your tank water heater before winter: how to tell its age, what rust and puddles mean, how to test the relief valve, and when to start saving for…
Video walk-throughs, 3D scans and insurance self-inspection apps are everywhere. What a virtual inspection is good for, what it misses, and why it doesn't replace an inspector in the house.
Fall 2026 has more homes for sale and more price cuts than any September since 2018. How buyers can use the home inspection to negotiate repairs, credits or a lower price, without…
A burst outdoor faucet usually doesn't show up until you turn it on in spring, after it has been leaking into the wall. How to shut off, drain and protect hose bibs,…
What to look for on your electrical panel without taking the cover off: the brands electricians worry about, scorch marks, rust, double taps, and when to call an electrician.
Almost every concrete foundation cracks. How to tell a harmless shrinkage crack from one that means the wall is moving, how to track a crack yourself, and when to call a structural…
Cold air sneaking in around windows and doors costs you money all winter. Simple ways to find the leaks yourself, cheap fixes that work, and what low-E glass actually does.
Winter can be a good time to buy, but snow and cold keep the inspector from seeing or testing a few big things. What gets missed, what winter actually reveals, and how…
Most wet basements start at the roof edge. How to check gutters and downspouts in a fall rain, the slope and extension rules, and the quick fixes that keep water away from…
Every inspection report looks scary. Most of it isn't. How to sort the findings into safety, big-ticket, and maintenance, what 'further evaluation' really means, and how to use the report in negotiations.
Mildew is the gray film on the shower grout. Mold can be a sign of a hidden water problem. How to tell them apart, what you can clean yourself, and when to…
Radon is an invisible gas from the soil and a leading cause of lung cancer. How to test your house yourself, what the EPA's 4 pCi/L action level means, and what fixing…
