It’s no surprise that nearly everything has changed in this COVID-19 world. Over the past year I’ve learned how to Zoom with our financial planner, how to Zoom a family meeting with my daughter who lives overseas, and how to watch our worship services online; but I’ve not been asked if I would perform a […]
Don’t you love your wood burning fireplace on a cold blustery winter day? But are you aware that it may need some TLC? Before you settle in to using it while everyone’s home for Christmas vacation, here are a few tips: When using a wood burning fireplace, make sure the wood you’re using is cured […]
What comes after Fall? Winter and colder temperatures. I don’t know about you but sweaters are out, warm fuzzy throws are everywhere (at least where my wife sits) and now with an elderly parent living with us our thermostat is bumped up about 8 degrees! You can’t wrap your house in a parka or a […]
Guess what comes after Fall? Winter! Yikes, here in Des Moines we’ve already had an early taste of it with the “squall” in mid October. 2020 seems to be the year of new words and new weather! With colder temperatures and daily temperatures slowly falling, the ground begins to freeze also. Your yard can take […]
With cooler weather comes the urge to cozy up to the fireplace with hot chocolate and a good movie. But sometimes you settle in, turn on the fireplace and notice a strange smell coming from the fireplace. Now what? If you have a natural gas fireplace you may notice a smell the first time you […]
We’ve been in this business since 2013 and the number of requests for radon has gone up significantly. Some people call and immediately request radon, while others ask the question: “What is radon and why should I do it?” Home safety is important. Radon is an inert gas, colorless and odorless, that has been known […]
As the days get shorter and nights are cooler, you know fall is coming. So my question to you is this. Is your home ready for fall? Here are a few things to help you get ready for fall. Gutters: Be sure they’re clear of leaves and debris to prevent ice expansion to create gaps […]
Did you know sewer scoping is not required by the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards of Practice? Yet, it’s one of the most common “issues” buyers face after moving into a home. Because we can’t run enough water down your plumbing systems during a home inspection, a sewer scope is especially helpful. There are […]
We know everybody is outside doing yard work and landscaping projects. How can you not when most of the events you normally attend in the summer are canceled; restaurants are still limiting seating; and besides that, the weather has been amazing! One of the most neglected outdoor home maintenance items we see is plugged gutters. […]
It’s our busy season, and even with five inspectors our calendar tends to be full. Spring is always busy for us, but it was hard to know how a pandemic would change our workload. We have learned that many people are still buying homes and therefore keeping our schedules full to provide inspections. According to […]