Understanding Radon Test Results and What to Do Next

radon test results

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

what does black mold look like

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?

old electrical panel with visible wear during a home inspection

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

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

Several pale worker termites and a soldier termite with a prominent orange head and dark mandibles crawl within a groove of dark, decaying wood.

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?

A gray outdoor central air conditioner condenser unit sits on a concrete pad surrounded by gravel next to a beige stucco exterior wall.

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 […]

What is Radon & Are There Symptoms of Poisoning?

A close-up of a cylindrical radon test kit with "RADON TEST" printed repeatedly across its surface, positioned next to a blurred yellow warning label that reads "DO NOT DISTURB TEST IN PROGRESS."

Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that forms naturally as uranium and radium in the soil break down. It seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, basement floors, sump pump openings, and gaps around pipes. Once trapped inside a home, it builds to dangerous concentrations in the lower levels where families spend the […]

Do I Really Need a Home Inspection Before Buying a House?

A modern two-story suburban home with tan siding, stone accents, and a two-car garage under a colorful twilight sky.

The short answer: yes, you really need a home inspection before buying a house. Skipping it means you close on a property without documented knowledge of potential structural problems, failing systems, or safety hazards that could cost thousands of dollars to fix after closing. Rob Cahill, owner of National Inspection Service of Indiana, has found […]

How Mold Mitigation in a Basement Starts With What’s Unseen

A weathered basement wall with patches of green mold growth above a dirt floor featuring scattered stone blocks.

Most basement mold problems don’t start with a visible patch on the wall. They start with conditions that have been building quietly for months: excess humidity, a slow plumbing leak behind drywall, poor ventilation, or water intrusion that finds its way in every time it rains. By the time mold shows up on a surface, […]

Signs of Poor Attic Ventilation to Check for This Spring

Signs of Poor Attic Ventilation to Check for This Spring

Spring is a good time to check for signs of poor attic ventilation and other issues in parts of your home that spent the winter working hard out of sight. Your attic is one of them. After months of cold temperatures, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles, the signs of poor attic ventilation have a way of […]