Welcome To Our Property Inspection Blog

Here we answer questions about getting a home or commercial inspection, give tips on home maintenance, and share our knowledge about common home and commercial property issues. We are here to help you. If you can’t find an answer to your questions here, you can always contact us via our contact page.

Schedule Your Property Inspection Today

Category: Environmental Testing & Air Quality

Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Lead, Asbestos, and Memphis Architecture: A Buyer’s Guide to Pre-1978 Hazards

Older Memphis homes have a character you can’t reproduce. Thick plaster walls. Solid framing. Architectural details that disappeared decades ago. They also carry materials that were once considered normal—and are now known hazards. If you’re buying a home built before 1978 in Memphis, especially in transitional neighborhoods like Whitehaven and

Read More »
Local Spotlight / Service Areas
Wesley Upchurch

Mold and Mountain Air: Why Proper Attic Ventilation Is Critical in East Tennessee

When I review inspection reports from our East Tennessee inspector, attic conditions are one of the most consistent problem areas. Knoxville’s geography creates a unique moisture environment — humid air settles in valleys, rises through homes, and concentrates in attics if the ventilation system isn’t doing its job. Many of

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Radon in the SEMO Bluffs: Why “Safe” Neighborhoods Are Often at Risk

Radon risk in Southeast Missouri doesn’t follow traffic patterns or crime maps. It follows geology. Some of the quietest, most established neighborhoods sit on the most dangerous ground when it comes to radon gas — especially in the bluff areas of Cape County and around Jackson, Missouri. Radon isn’t a

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Radon and the Highland Rim: Why Mt. Juliet Is a High-Risk “Zone 1”

Radon is one of those things people love to minimize until they can’t. “It’s probably fine.” “Nobody around here worries about that.” “That’s more of a mountain thing.”Nope. Not here. Not on the Highland Rim. And definitely not in Mt. Juliet. If you’re buying a home in Wilson County and

Read More »
Commercial Inspections
Wesley Upchurch

Mold, Moisture, and Indoor Air Quality: Why Commercial Risk Is Often Invisible

In commercial buildings, mold and air quality issues rarely announce themselves the way buyers expect. There’s usually no dramatic odor, no obvious discoloration, no single “problem room.” Instead, issues develop quietly—behind finishes, above ceilings, inside wall cavities, or within HVAC systems that appear to be functioning normally. At Upchurch Inspection,

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Murfreesboro’s Limestone Labyrinth & Radon

The Short Answer (Here’s the Truth) Yes—radon mitigation in Murfreesboro is often harder and sometimes more expensive, but not because the homes are built wrong. It’s because Rutherford County sits on fractured limestone, which turns radon movement into a maze instead of a straight path. In ZIPs like 37129 and

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Why DIY Mold Test Kits Often Cause Confusion

DIY mold test kits are widely available and often marketed as a quick way to determine whether a home has a mold problem. While these kits may seem convenient, they frequently create more confusion than clarity for homeowners. Understanding the limitations of DIY mold testing helps explain why results can

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

How Moisture Problems Lead to Mold Growth in Homes

Mold does not appear randomly. In nearly every case, mold growth is the result of uncontrolled moisture inside a home. Understanding how moisture enters a building—and how it becomes trapped—helps homeowners prevent mold issues before they become widespread or costly. Why Moisture Is the Root Cause of Mold Mold spores

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Mold Inspection vs. Mold Testing: What Homeowners Should Know

Mold TestingWhen people hear the word mold, it often triggers immediate concern. In reality, mold-related issues are common, manageable, and often misunderstood—especially when it comes to the difference between a mold inspection and mold testing. Understanding how these two services differ can help homeowners and buyers make informed decisions without

Read More »
Environmental Testing & Air Quality
Wesley Upchurch

Common Areas Inspectors Find Hidden Mold

Mold issues are often associated with obvious problem areas, such as visibly damaged drywall or musty basements. In practice, however, some of the most significant mold concerns are found in hidden or overlooked areas of a home—places where moisture can persist unnoticed over time. Based on inspections performed throughout West

Read More »