City occupancy inspectors are indeed a great resource, especially for home buyers who forgo paying for a private home inspector. The reason for this article is to go over the differences in what a city inspector does and what a privately hired home inspector does, because there are many. A response I hear occasionally after I call something out in my inspection report, from either […]
One issue that I run into from time to time in homes is loose plug to receptacle socket connections. What I mean is when I plug my receptacle tester into the receptacle socket it should fit tight and not move and have constant power to it. If the receptacle is worn and loose my tester won’t sit in it properly and it won’t have consistent power. The lights […]
Grading, in terms of the ground around the home, is the slope of the ground/soil around the foundation/perimeter of the home. Proper grading (or correct grading) is positive, or sloping away from the house. This is vital to ensure proper drainage of water away from the home’s foundation. Proper grading can prevent things like leaks, cracks in foundations, rot of wooden structural members, and other […]
You just bought your family a new home and you’ve moved in and settled down. You are well into the process of making this house a home, however, it’s important to know that if you do not maintain your home well things can break down and cause problems in the future. Some of these items should be on your home inspection report. The following are […]
When you purchase a new home, it’s inevitable that things will eventually break down and need to be repaired, after all no home is perfect. Repairing those items in your home that need to be repaired will be much easier to do if you have the appropriate tools on hand to do so. While some of these tools can be expensive in the beginning, it’s […]
House hunting is an exciting adventure, and the process of finding that perfect home is an experience you will always remember. However, be careful not to get too caught up in the moment and swept away by emotions, or you may overlook potentially serious defects. It helps to know what to expect. Rigid Inspections conducts hundreds of home inspections every year, and the following nine […]
For anyone looking to move to the cheery town of Bethalto, Illinois, it’s always a good idea to know what you’re walking into. Bethalto isn’t small, but it’s not the largest city either, with a population of just under ten thousand people, so there’s plenty to do and see. However, moving can be stressful, and the last thing you want is to be caught up […]
Now that you have moved into your new home, you’re probably eager to tackle any of the issues or maintenance needs of your home. Some of these might actually be on your home inspection report. Here are 10 DIY projects to get you started. 1. Trim trees and vegetation Trees and shrubbery that are overgrown can be an eyesore, block your view of the […]
It’s always a wise idea to have a home inspected before you finalize your purchase. Almost any home you consider is bound to have an issue or two, but you definitely don’t want those issues to be large ones — problems that could potentially throw a monkey wrench into your new homeowner’s budget! Still, not everybody knows what a good home inspection covers, what to […]
Rigid Inspections knows that the home inspection can be a scary hurdle from a realtor’s perspective. We thought it would be helpful to give some insight into our home inspection approach and values so you and any agents in your office can see how Rigid Inspections can be an asset to your team. Our goal is to leave clients feeling more educated and better about the […]
Another winter in the Midwest is upon us, and it’s turning out to be an especially brutal one so far! Is your home up to the challenge of keeping you warm while keeping your energy bills from skyrocketing from now until spring finally arrives? Since we’re in the home inspection business here in the St. Louis Metro East region, we frequently see examples of homeowners who’ve managed to harness […]
Below is a pre-inspection checklist for those of you who may be selling your home and about to have the buyers inspector come to inspect it. This checklist is of items that may be listed in the report or may cause issues keeping the inspector from properly inspecting the property in turn delaying the sale of your house. As an inspector myself I will be […]
One of the many things home inspectors look at during a home inspection is the outdoor component that houses the condenser and compressor for the air conditioning system. The majority of things I look for has to do with efficiency of the unit and improving the efficiency so the unit operates at 100%. Below is a video explaining a few things that I look at […]
I made a video of what I look for when inspecting an electric water heater. The first thing I like to do is note the brand, age, and capacity. I then look over the tank for signs of rust, corrosion, or leaking. Next I will check for the presence of a TPR (Temperature Pressure Relief) Valve and make sure it’s placement on the tank is […]
What is a GFCI receptacle or outlet? You may have heard the term GFCI or GFI before when dealing with electrical receptacles, especially if you have had a home inspection. GFCI stand for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. A GFCI receptacle measures current coming from the hot slot, or the smaller slot, and compares it the the current returning the the neutral slot, or the larger […]