Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms: The Overlooked Inspection Item
When clocks fall back in November, it’s your nudge to test alarms and refresh batteries. In Illinois, there are also placement and equipment rules many homeowners miss. Here’s what our inspectors flag most, how to fix it fast, and what the law says.
Why Ice Dams Form—and How Roof Inspections Prevent Them
When snow hits, rooflines can hide a costly problem: ice dams. These ridges of ice along the eaves trap meltwater, forcing it back under shingles and into ceilings, walls, and insulation. The good news? Most ice dams are preventable, and November is the time to act.
Furnace Failures We Catch Before the First Freeze
The smartest (and cheapest) move is to catch small furnace problems in November—before they become no-heat emergencies. Here are the failures City Home Inspectors commonly identifies during pre-winter checks, and why they matter.
Frozen Pipes Ahead? What Chicago Homeowners Can Do Now
When temps dip in Chicago, older homes—especially classic two-flats and brick bungalows—are vulnerable to frozen pipes. Lines in unheated spaces are the first to freeze, crack, and leak. Here’s how to prevent headaches before the deep freeze hits.
