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Homeowners can conduct basic visual inspections and cleaning, but professionals provide thorough checks that identify hidden issues safely.

It’s a good idea to conduct a DIY attic inspection at least once a year to look for signs of water damage, pest infestation, and damage to the underside of the roof decking. If you suspect any problems, call in a professional to confirm and come up with a solution. You should also hire a pro to inspect an attic before purchasing a home, and you can have an inspection done as a seller to entice buyers to move forward with an offer or purchase.

Homeowners insurance typically does not cover knob and tube (K&T) wiring due to its outdated nature and associated fire risks. Many insurance companies require the replacement of K&T wiring to provide coverage. Policies that do cover homes with K&T wiring may come with higher premiums or specific conditions. It's important to check with your insurance provider for their requirements and coverage options.

By nature, two-prong outlets aren't grounded—but the box they run to might be, which makes them safer. The safest way to test if an outlet is grounded is to purchase a circuit tester, which cost about $20 at home improvement stores. 

If you discover your outlet (or outlets) aren't grounded, know that this greatly increases your risk of personal injury and electrical fires. You may want to consider installing new three-prong ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. On average, the cost to install GFCI outlets is about $210 per outlet.