When owning a home, there are many cautions that should be taken to keep you and your family safe. Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless toxic flammable gas, is often emitted as part of the fumes of fuel. Difficult to detect, this poisonous gas can be leaked from cars, stoves, fireplaces, grills, furnaces and more. Many… Read more »
Author: First Choice Inspectors
What is Included in a Standard Home Inspection?
First Choice Inspectors regularly inspects homes in the Chicagoland area. A standard home inspection looks for structural or mechanical defects. An inspector is trained to look for construction mistakes and shortcuts, as well as potential problems in a home. A standard home inspection involves a detailed written report that’s like a report card for the… Read more »
The Benefits of Buying a Foreclosed Home
Perhaps the best benefit of buying a foreclosed home is its price. Because it’s foreclosed, someone or some entity, like a bank, is trying to get rid of it. Therefore, they’re willing to sell it at a bargain price. Many people have enjoyed buying foreclosed homes that were once selling for, say, $400,000 for…$150,000. Now… Read more »
Is Your Home At Risk For Lead Poisoning?
How old is your home? If it was built before 1978, there’s a chance that its woodwork contains lead-based paint. Though the use of lead-based paints for homes has been banned in the United States since 1978, many people live in homes constructed before then, and those homes probably contain lead-based paint used in a… Read more »
Asbestos Exposure Could Be Detrimental to Your Health
According to the National Cancer Institute, “asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been used… Read more »
Save Money on Your Energy Bills This Fall and Winter
We’re about a month into fall and already the temperatures are dropping and homeowners are preparing to hunker down for another cold winter. This time of year energy bills can suddenly become far more expensive, particularly if your home isn’t adequately protected against the elements. By taking some preventative measures, however, you can keep your… Read more »
Avoid These Common Household Electrical Hazards
Spend much time as a home inspector, and you’re bound to see some pretty frightening examples of DIY electrical work. From frayed extension cords to ancient knob and tube wiring, we’ve seen our fair share of electrical hazards over the years. Fortunately, most of these hazards can be quickly remedied in order to keep you… Read more »
Dryer Vent Safety 101
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 17,000 house fires were caused by clothes dryers and washing machines in the United States in 2010. This accounts for roughly 4.5% of all the house fires in the country that year. Many of these fires were the result of clogged or improperly installed dryer vents that… Read more »
Protecting Your Home from Water Intrusion This Winter
We’re halfway through February, and before too long we’ll be due for a healthy dose of spring weather. Here in Chicago, spring is synonymous with snow melt. One warm day in March might unleash millions of gallons of water onto the streets of our fair city. All that water can be disastrous for homes that… Read more »
Five Signs it’s Time to Repair or Replace Your Water Heater
We often do not realize that our water heater needs to be repaired or replaced until we smell rotten eggs or take cold showers. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid the problem in the future. When you know that your water heater is getting of age, or you plan to sell your… Read more »