Where Should Smoke Detector Placement Be in Your Home?
The best smoke detector placement is inside every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Mount each alarm on the ceiling or high on a wall, and keep it away from the stove and air vents. At National Inspection Service of Indiana (NISI), we have helped Evansville […]
How Long Does a Furnace Last? A Home Inspector’s Guide
Most gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Electric furnaces often make it to 20 or 30. That is the short answer, but your furnace may beat those numbers or fall short of them. At National Inspection Service of Indiana (NISI), we check furnaces in Evansville homes every week, and age is only part of […]
What’s the Difference Between Mildew and Mold?
Mildew is a type of mold. The word “mildew” describes mold that grows flat on the surface of damp spots like shower grout and windowsills. It looks powdery and white or gray, and it usually wipes away. The growth most people call “mold” is fuzzy or slimy, often darker, and it roots down into materials […]
How Long Do Home Inspections Take? An Evansville Guide
Most home inspections take two to three hours on site for an average single-family home. Small condos can wrap up in about 90 minutes, while large or older houses can run four hours or more. The written report usually follows within about 24 hours. At National Inspection Service of Indiana (NISI), our team has inspected […]
Understanding Radon Test Results and What to Do Next
A radonA radon test result below 4.0 pCi/L generally falls within the range the EPA considers acceptable. But the number alone doesn’t tell the whole story. At National Inspection Service of Indiana (NISI), we compile hundreds of radon reports a year for homeowners across Evansville and Newburgh. The question we hear most after testing is […]
What Does Black Mold Look Like? A Local Inspector’s Guide
Black mold usually looks like dark green to black patches. They’re often slimy, fuzzy, or speckled, and you’ll typically find them on damp drywall, grout, wood, or insulation. But color alone can’t confirm what you’re looking at. At NISI, we’ve inspected more than 20,000 Evansville-area homes since 1995. One of the most common questions we […]
When & Why Will Inspectors Flag an Old Electrical Panel?
An old electrical panel becomes a real concern once it can’t safely handle your home’s current electrical load, shows a known-risk brand name, or no longer matches modern safety code. During a home inspection, NISI inspectors open the panel cover, check the amperage, and look for the specific warning signs that separate a panel that’s […]
How to Extend Your Evansville Roof Lifespan
Your roof is the first line of defense for your home. In Evansville, roofs deal with a lot of changing weather. We see hot, humid summers along the Ohio River, freezing winter weather, and sudden spring hailstorms. All of these seasonal shifts put heavy stress on your roofing materials, which can directly shorten your overall […]
Termites in Houses: How They Spread and What to Do
Termites get into houses through soil-to-wood contact, foundation cracks, and damp wood, then spread silently through hidden tunnels until the damage reaches a visible area. Most infestations grow for months before a homeowner notices, which is why early signs matter so much. At National Inspection Service of Indiana, we find termite activity in homes that […]
What Does an Air Conditioner Serial Number Tell You?
The serial number on your air conditioner tells a trained inspector the unit’s age, manufacturing history, and whether its warranty may still apply. When Rob Cahill and the team at National Inspection Service of Indiana inspect a home, the AC data plate is one of the first stops on the equipment walkthrough. Knowing how to […]