Grilling Season Is Here — A Friendly Reminder on BBQ Safety for Your Clients

As we enter the heart of summer, backyard barbecues are in full swing — a favorite pastime for many homeowners. At Carey Home Inspection, we believe that helping your clients enjoy their homes safely is just as important as finding the perfect property. That’s why we’re sharing a timely reminder about grill safety, covering both gas and charcoal units.

Grill Placement: Distance Matters

One of the most common — and preventable — fire hazards we see is improper grill placement. Whether it’s gas or charcoal, grills should be placed at least 10 feet away from the house, garage, deck railings, or overhanging eaves. Even a quick meal can turn dangerous if a flare-up occurs too close to siding or wooden structures. Encourage your clients to create a dedicated grilling area with a solid, non-flammable surface like concrete or pavers.

Gas Grill Tips

Gas grills are convenient, but they come with their own safety checklist:

Check for Leaks: Before the first use each season, inspect hoses and connections for cracks or leaks using a soap and water solution.

Clean Regularly: Grease buildup in the drip tray or burners can cause fires. A quick cleaning after each use goes a long way.

Turn Off Properly: Always shut off the propane tank first before turning off the grill controls to reduce pressure and avoid leaks.

Charcoal Grill Reminders

Charcoal grills bring that classic flavor, but also require careful handling:

Starter Fluid Caution: Only use charcoal starter fluid designed for grills. Never add it to an open flame.

Dispose Ashes Safely: Let ashes cool completely, then place them in a metal container with a lid. Never dump them directly into the trash or yard.

Air Flow: Proper ventilation is critical. Avoid using charcoal grills in enclosed areas like garages or screened porches.

A Positive Experience Starts with Prevention

The goal isn’t to make grilling seem dangerous — just to remind your clients to stay mindful. With just a few precautions, they can enjoy flavorful meals and safe summer evenings with friends and family.

At Carey Home Inspection, we strive to go beyond the checklist. By providing practical advice that helps buyers and homeowners avoid common hazards, we support you in creating long-term satisfaction with every property.

Please feel free to share this message with your clients or include it in your own newsletters. If you ever have a question about home safety issues, we’re just a phone call away.

Wishing you and your clients a safe and happy grilling season!

The Hidden Cost of Waiting for Inspection Reports

In today’s fast-moving real estate market, time is everything. Offers come fast, negotiations evolve quickly, and delays—no matter how small—can make or break a deal. Yet one of the most common sources of frustration in the home-buying process continues to be waiting several days for an inspection report to arrive.

Many inspectors take two, three, or even four days to deliver their reports. For agents and clients alike, that delay can create unnecessary stress, slow down negotiations, and sometimes even jeopardize the transaction. At Carey Home Inspection, we recognize that your time is valuable—and that your clients deserve answers now, not later. That’s why we provide same-day delivery of all inspection reports, without compromising the thoroughness or quality of our work.

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The Problem with Delayed Reports

When an inspection is complete, the client is eager for clarity. Agents need the information to move forward—whether that means negotiating repairs, adjusting offers, or reassuring buyers that their new home is sound.

Waiting days for a report often creates:

• Lost momentum: Buyers can grow anxious, and sellers can lose patience when communication stalls.

• Compressed deadlines: When the report finally arrives late in the contingency period, there’s less time for follow-up or negotiation.

• Added pressure on agents: You become the middleman trying to reassure both sides while waiting on paperwork that should already be in hand.

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The Carey Home Inspection Difference

We understand that a home inspection is not just about identifying issues—it’s about keeping your transaction moving smoothly. That’s why we’ve invested in the technology, training, and reporting systems to ensure our clients receive their inspection report the same day the inspection is performed.

Our process includes:

• On-site digital documentation: Photos, notes, and observations are entered in real time using professional inspection software.

• Comprehensive review before delivery: Every report is carefully reviewed for accuracy and clarity before being sent to you and your client.

• Clear, actionable information: Our reports are detailed yet easy to understand, allowing clients to make informed decisions immediately.

The result? No waiting, no wondering—just clear answers when you need them.

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Supporting Agents, Supporting Clients

As a real estate professional, you know that communication and efficiency build trust. When your inspector delivers a high-quality report the same day, you gain:

• Faster decision-making: You can help your clients act confidently and quickly.

• Stronger client relationships: Prompt, professional reporting reflects positively on you as their trusted advisor.

• Fewer surprises: Our same-day reports reduce last-minute stress and give all parties more time to plan next steps.

At Carey Home Inspection, we work with you—not just for you. We see ourselves as part of your professional team, helping to keep every transaction on schedule and every client informed.

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Experience the Difference

If you’re accustomed to waiting days for reports, it’s time to raise your expectations. With Carey Home Inspection, you’ll receive the same level of care, attention to detail, and professionalism you expect—but without the delay.

Because in real estate, every day counts—and with Carey Home Inspection, you never have to wait to move forward.

Knob-and-Tube Wiring: What Real Estate Professionals Should Know

 

Older homes offer charm and character, but they can also present legacy building systems that today’s buyers need to understand. One of the most common examples is knob-and-tube wiring. While it was a standard electrical method in homes built roughly between 1880 and the 1940s, it is now considered obsolete and may raise safety, insurance, and transaction concerns.

What Is Knob-and-Tube Wiring?
Knob-and-tube wiring consists of individual hot and neutral conductors run separately through wall and ceiling cavities. Ceramic knobs were used to support wires along framing members, while ceramic tubes protected wires as they passed through wood. At the time, this system worked well for the limited electrical demands of the era.

How to Identify It
Identifying knob-and-tube wiring is not always straightforward. In some cases, it has been partially removed or concealed during renovations. Common indicators include:

• Porcelain knobs attached to exposed framing in basements or attics

• Ceramic tubes where wiring passes through joists or studs

• Cloth-wrapped wiring without a modern outer jacket

• Absence of a grounding conductor

Importantly, knob-and-tube wiring is often hidden behind finished walls or ceilings. Even when it is not visible, certain clues—such as the age of the home, outdated electrical panels, or mixed wiring types—may suggest it is present.

Where Inspectors Commonly Look
Home inspectors typically check accessible areas, including:

• Unfinished basements and crawlspaces

• Attics, especially near attic hatches or junction points

• Electrical panels and visible branch circuits

• Open wall cavities at plumbing or renovation access points

Because much of the wiring may be concealed, inspectors cannot always see the entire system. However, a qualified home inspector can identify visible components and note conditions that strongly indicate hidden knob-and-tube wiring may still exist.

Why It Matters
Knob-and-tube wiring presents several concerns:

• It was not designed for modern electrical loads

• Insulation can become brittle over time, increasing the risk of overheating

• It lacks grounding, which limits protection from electrical faults

• It may have been improperly modified over the years

In addition, many insurance companies restrict or deny coverage for homes with active knob-and-tube wiring, which can impact financing and closing timelines.

Cost to Remove or Rewire
For an average 1,500 square foot home, the cost to remove or rewire knob-and-tube wiring typically ranges from $8,000 to $15,000, though it can be higher depending on accessibility, wall finishes, and local labor rates. Homes requiring significant wall and ceiling repairs after rewiring may see additional costs. While this is a substantial investment, it often improves safety, insurability, and long-term property value.

The Inspector’s Role
Finding knob-and-tube wiring is not always easy, and it cannot always be fully confirmed without opening walls. That is where a professional home inspection adds value. A home inspector can identify visible components, recognize warning signs, and clearly communicate when knob-and-tube wiring is present or likely present—even if it cannot be fully seen.

For real estate agents and clients alike, understanding knob-and-tube wiring helps set realistic expectations and supports informed decision-making when working with older homes.