Resources Beyond the Inspection
Find homeowner, home seller and home buyer information and links to help with everything in the house.
We can’t believe how much homeowner and home buyer information you can find on the internet these days! Our ASHI-certified home inspector, Mike Stephans, sifts through the clutter for you. We’ve included some of his favorite resources below. And, don’t forget, our Inspector Insider Blog has tons of home owner and home buyer information, tips and tricks.
Asbestos Information
- Read what the United States EPA says about asbestos in your home.
- If your home has Zonolite attic insulation, you may have an asbestos issue. Read this article to learn what you can do about asbestos in your attic insulation.
Carbon Monoxide Detector Information
- The Iillinois State FIre Marshall provides information on carbon monoxide detectors. Every home should have one!
Dryer Venting Information
- Proper dryer venting will help prevent one of the biggest causes of home fires.
Fireplace Information
- You can find guidelines for what NOT to burn in your fireplace or wood stove.
- Chimney Safety Institute of America videos provide firewood tips and information on creosote.
- Find home buyer information about the three different levels of fireplace and chimney home inspections.
- Get tips on how to maintain your ventless fireplace in the Fall.
Foundation Cracks
- Foundation cracks are a common occurrence in our area. Read this post to learn what causes cracks in your foundation and how they’re repaired.
Garage Door Information
- If you have a garage door opener, make sure it’s auto-reversing. Here’s a publication from the DPSC that explains why.
Home Appliance Safety
- Learn about safety and your kitchen range in this video.
- Is your vent hood ducted to the outside? Learn why this is important and more about carbon monoxide risks in your home by reading this article.
Lead in Your Home
- This information from the US EPA can help protect your family from the dangers of lead in drinking water.
Radon in Your Home
- Questions about radon? Check out this Illinois-specific guide about this cancer-causing substance from the American Lung Association.
Smoke Detector Information
- Illinois updated it’s smoke alarm law in 2017 to reflect advances in alarm technology. Learn more in the linked article from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
- Then, review the pros and cons of ionization versus photoelectric models.
- Here’s a video to help you decide which smoke detector is best for your home.
Vinyl Siding Information
- Vinyl siding does more than make your house look good. Watch this video to learn about solar reflection and heat distortion.
Window Information
- Thinking of replacing the windows in your home? Looking for home buyer information on building codes for windows? Read this article on emergency escape and rescue openings – often called egress windows – to learn about common requirements.