Q. Catch Pan Under Washer?

Q. Hey Mark,
Our home inspection report recommends a catch pan under the washing machine. What exactly is that and how do I get one?
Thanks,
Andrew
A. Hey Andrew,
Recommending a catch pan under a washing machine is a common recommendation with some home inspectors. Some municipalities even require it in certain circumstances.
Personally, I don’t commonly recommend catch pans [...]

St. Louis Earthquake, Cracks in Foundation & Radon Gas

5.2 Earthquake and Radon
Hey Readers,
Since the recent earthquake here in St. Louis, I’ve received calls from folks who are concerned about cracks that have formed in their homes. Earthquakes instill a fear in all of our hearts that the structural integrity of our home might be compromised. For larger earthquakes, that is a very real [...]

Q. My Inspector Couldn’t Access the Attic

Q: I am purchasing a home, and I just had a home inspection done. The sellers still live there, and they had some belongings in the closet that were blocking access to the attic. My inspector said that he was unable to look in the attic because it was blocked. It was only a couple [...]

Q. Why Do Inspector Prices Vary?

Q: Hey Mark
I’ve been getting prices from different home inspectors and it seems the prices vary quite a bit. Why are there so many different prices for the same thing?

A: Well, I think you answered your own question. They are not different prices for the same thing. They are different prices for different home inspections. [...]

Q. What’s the Problem with Fuse Panels?

Q. Hey Mark,
The home I am buying has a fuse panel. I was told this is bad and some insurance companies will not insure the home. Is this correct?

Rose R.
A. Hey Rose,
Having a fuse panel in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Fuse panels are older, but older doesn’t necessarily mean defective. [...]