Radon is a radioactive gas that forms in the ground and can seep into homes through cracks in floors, walls, and foundations. Because it is invisible and has no smell, the only practical way to know whether your home has elevated levels is to test.

Illinois’ weather and housing stock—ranging from basements to slab-on-grade homes—mean radon pathways can vary widely even between nearby properties. That’s why experts recommend testing at the address, not relying on neighborhood averages.

When should you test in an Illinois home?

If you haven’t tested before, schedule a test as soon as possible. You should also retest if you move, finish a basement, seal major openings, install a new HVAC system, or make other structural changes that could alter airflow and pressure.

For many homes, radon testing is most informative during typical living conditions. Use the instr ... Read more »

UV air purifiers—especially systems using UV-C light—are often marketed as a high-impact way to improve indoor air quality in HVAC setups. The short answer is that they can work, but “do they actually work?” depends on how the device is designed, where the UV light is placed, and whether it provides enough UV dose to the air or surfaces it’s intended to treat.

Unlike filters that physically trap particles, UV-C in HVAC applications works by damaging the genetic material of microorganisms (like bacteria and viruses) so they can’t reproduce. However, that effect is not automatic: it requires sufficient UV intensity, the right exposure time, and appropriate airflow paths that bring air close to the UV source.

What UV in HVAC systems is (and isn’t) doing

In many HVAC installations, UV-C is installed in one of two places: inside air handlers near evaporator coils, or in uppe ... Read more »

Flood control systems—such as sump pumps, backflow preventers, and stormwater pumping stations—are only as dependable as the power that drives them. When electricity fails during heavy rain, the difference between a working barrier and standing water can come down to the type of backup.

Two common approaches are battery backup systems and water-powered backup (typically leveraging stored water pressure or gravity-driven operation). Each option has distinct strengths, trade-offs, and installation requirements.

Battery backup: fast, controllable, and widely compatible

Battery backup solutions supply electricity to pumps and controls during outages, helping ensure the system can respond immediately to rising water levels. They are often paired with level sensors, alarms, and automatic transfer switches so the system can start without manual intervention.

In practice, battery back ... Read more »

Installing a new municipal or private water line starts long before any equipment reaches the ground. The work typically begins with planning, permitting, and coordination to ensure the pipe route is accurate and safe for crews, property owners, and existing underground utilities.

Most projects begin with a design and a service-plan review that determines the pipe size, route, depth, materials, and connection points (for example, where the line ties into an existing main or where it reaches a building). Engineers also consider local requirements such as frost depth, right-of-way limits, and pressure conditions.

1) Permits, utility locating, and site preparation

Before excavation, contractors usually obtain permits and schedule inspections. They also perform “utility locating” using service locators and field verification to identify gas, electric, telecom, sewer, irrigation, and other buried lines. ... Read more »