News & Events
We have added another phone number in order to serve you better.You can still contact Alton at870-822-0124and now our Missouri clients can call 573-919-0378 to schedule a home inspection
Buying a home?
Selling a home?
Friends or relatives looking to buy or sell?
Service that can't be beaten combined with a price that you just can't pass up! Call 870-822-0124 or 573-919-0378 to schedule your inspection today.
(Prices do vary by size and age of structure. Call for pricing on homes that are larger or smaller than the published prices. Commercial structures pricing is based on size, age and occupancy type).
Real Estate agents, Brokers and Civic groups. Do you have a need for a speaker?
We love getting the word out concerning the need for Home Inspections and all aspects of the profession. If you have a need for a presentation for your group just give us a call, with just a little notice we would enjoy speaking to you. Call Alton at 870-822-0124 to discuss a presentation for your organization.
Got a question? We have answers!!!
Send us your questions concerning your home or something that you may have seen while looking at a home. Better yet, if you saw something that was a concern send us a picture to go along with your questions. We may be able to help provide you with an answer to help eliminate any possible hazards or defects. Send your questions on foundation & structure issues, air conditioning equipment, electrical wiring and plumbing.
Best of all, sending questions is free!!
Send your questions, along with a photo if possible to alton@arinspections.com. We will include questions & photos here (giving you credit for photo & question of course) along with answers and information concerning the condition.
Recent Questions
How often should our furnace be cleaned?
To get the best performance out of your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment you should ideally have the equipment cleaned and serviced twice each year in the spring and fall. Equipment should be cleaned and serviced along with an inspection of the ductwork, flues and all associated equipment. Not only will regular maintenance of your system help to prolong the life of the equipment, it will save you money by lowering your energy costs.
Our inspector said we have open wiring, the electrician says it isn't a problem, now what?
Pictures would help, but even without them we can address this question. The wiring used in most homes built in the last 40-50 years is referred to as "Romex" or type NM cable. Romex is intended to be protected by being enclosed in walls, ceilings and floors. Romex is often exposed in attics or crawlspaces (areas that are not considered as living space) and are ok here. Wiring in any habitable space or at any exterior location should generally be protected from damage.
Short answer, in general all electrical wiring should be protected, either enclosed in walls or encased in conduit. There are some exceptions for different wire types and locations but your inspector is probably correct here. Your inspector put his opinion in writing and attached his license number to the document. If your electrician says the wiring is ok have him do the same...
Should the utilities all be on at the home for the inspection? Who is responsible for turning on the utilities?
All the utilities must be on for a thorough inspection. Gas service, electric and water are all required so that furnaces, water heaters, and plumbing fixtures can all be operated.
We would ask that the pilot light be lit on all gas appliances, that the water be turned on inside the home, and that furniture and personal possessions be moved to allow access to attic & crawlspace hatches, breaker panels, water heaters and furnaces. Cars should be removed from the garage or carport. Breakers should all be turned on and if there are systems, appliances or any equipment that should not be operated your inspector should be informed.
Gas service must be on and pilot lights lit on gas fired equipment. Most inspectors will not light pilot lights. Most gas utility companies will light pilot lights when they turn on service to the home. Many will check for leaks and make a cursory examination of the equipment for safety issues. An unlit pilot light is sometimes an indication that there are problems with a gas fired appliance.
Water should be turned on INSIDE the home. Your inspector will probably not turn on water service at the water utility meter vault. In most areas the only person allowed to access the valve at the utility side of the meter is an employee of the water utility. If the home has been winterized, it must be dewinterized prior to the inspection.
Your inspector requires access to the attic and crawlspaces to properly inspect the home. While many inspectors will move a small amount of material that may be blocking access to the attic or crawlspace, there often is not time during an inspection to move a room full of furniture or boxes to allow access to each attic hatch.
Your inspector needs to be able to work around furnaces, water heaters and breaker panels. Covers will be removed by the inspector and there must be sufficient room for the inspector to examine the equipment. Quite often there will be covers on each side of the equipment that must be accessed, so please make sure that there is working space at the equipment. Breakers may be turned off for a reason that your inspector is not aware of. Quite often a breaker is turned off during a certain season or for some other reason. Your inspector probably will not turn on any breakers that are turned off, as there could be a problem with the circuit or equipment.
The responsibility for making sure that the home is ready for an inspection normally falls to the owner or the listing agent. If the home is occupied all utilities should be on and the seller should be informed by their agent when an inspection appointment is set. If the home is not occupied the listing agent should assure that the home is made ready for inspection. This may be a simple matter as many homes that are actively being shown are kept in a condition where no additional preparation is needed. If however, the home has been winterized, or if utilities have been turned off, then considerable work may be needed. De winterizing a home is not merely opening up the valve to turn on the water.
When an inspection date is set please ask your real estate agent to
Please make sure that access and utility service is provided for the inspection which includes but is not limited to:
• Electricity is on
• Water is on
• Gas service is on or propane is available
• Swimming pool is cleaned so that surface of pool bottom is visible
• Electric panels free from obstructions (no storage or furniture blocking access)
• All attic access hatches or stairways are free of obstructions.
• Cars are removed from the garage.
• All mechanical equipment is accessible. This means all furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters need to have room to visually inspect and remove service panels.
Most inspectors will not spend time with items or systems that are not made ready for the inspection. Some inspectors will simply state that they could not access the equipment or that they could not perform the inspection of that equipment. A return trip later by an inspector to examine that equipment will incur an extra fee...
Check back here for announcements concerning the move, special limited time discounted rates & for new services that we will be offering!!!
