It’s been a big year for us at Upon Closer Inspection, and we couldn’t have done it without our loyal readers. We celebrated our 200th column — a milestone, to be sure — but even in a real estate-devoted crowd, home inspection-inspired material is pretty nichey, so we remain humbled to continue contributing our musings.
This December, as I look back over a year’s worth of material, it strikes me that we mostly achieve the goal of educational-with-a-side-of-humor (though sometimes people do such ridiculous things to their homes, we can go straight to humor). But since we’re looking back, I thought I’d point out some times when Upon Closer Inspection was actually pretty helpful.
Yes, (toot-toot) this here is a round-up of the times we handed out some tips at a particularly timely or useful moment. We’re doing some good around here, it turns out! Keep reading to the end for an update on the South Dallas gas explosion.
1. Home Inspectors Are Very Useful During a Freeze
And boy howdy, did we have lots of good advice for not only protecting your home before the freeze, but what to do after the freeze! Timely, seasonal tips!
2. More Than Anyone Wanted To Know About Electrical Systems
This was a TWO-PART SERIES! This primer on your home electrical system from the utility pole to the panel box gave all the basics of your electrical system, what all the parts are called, what they do, and whose responsibility they are. Great info for any homeowner or home buyer to have. (Not, however, so you can DIY electrical, because we never, ever recommend that.)
3. Hail Damage Hell
Upon Closer Inspection provided special coverage of my personal journey through insurance adjusters, roofers, and attorneys after the spring storms destroyed my roof and two cars in Collin County. On the spot, personal reporting, with heart!
4. Home Inspectors Have Energy Savings on Lock
Home Inspectors carry caulk like gunslingers during the summer — nary a cool breeze gets past these guys without they seal up a door or a window. And we were there all summer to bemoan the heat and tell you what to do about it.
5. Let’s Talk Gas Safety
Then it got serious real quick when a family’s house blew up in South Dallas, and we’re still wondering why. We talked about gas safety, and what to look for, and that’s when the jokes stopped because for all our kidding around, the reason for this column, the reason for home inspectors, is so people can have as much information as possible about their homes. Because knowledge is power. Hopefully against tragedies like this one.
An Update on The Escobar Home
As of December 18, 2023, family spokesperson Jeffrey Martin reports that the Escobar family is doing as well as can be expected. They have rented a home so that they can be together for Christmas, while the family home is being repaired, but this is a hardship because their home insurance is not paying for the expense. The investigation into the explosion is still ongoing. The family has retained lawyers to look into the cause as Atmos has claimed that their equipment was not at fault. Francisco, the family friend who was burned in the explosion is out of the hospital but remains badly injured.
