Panoptic Inspections LLC - Residential and Commercial

Name: Panoptic Inspections LLC - Residential and Commercial
Address: 4498 Highway 63, Malcom, IA, 50157, US
Telephone: +16414810553

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Panoptic Inspections LLC - Residential and Commercial

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From Cedar Falls to Ottumwa and Iowa City to Des Moines, we're your InterNACHI certified Inspectors! Contact us today to schedule your inspection.

Panoptic Inspections is a family-owned and -operated inspection company here to make your real estate transaction as smooth as possible. Our inspector in Malcom, IA, provides comprehensive residential and commercial property inspections to ensure that you make an informed decision when buying or selling your property. In addition to our standard inspections, we also offer specialized services such as pest/termite inspections, sewer scopes, radon testing, home watch services, and water quality testing. Trust our highly trained inspectors to give you the peace of mind you need regarding your property.

10/02/2026

Call these guys if you have water in your basement. I trust them.

10/01/2026

09/29/2026

💧 When was the last time you checked your sump pump?

Your sump pump may sit quietly for months, but when heavy rain hits, you want to know it’s going to work.

And don’t assume a newer pump is automatically reliable.

A forensic investigation of 60 failed sump pumps found the average pump was only 3 years old at the time it failed. Even more importantly, 95% of those failure cases had only one sump pump protecting the basement.

Fortunately, checking your sump pump only takes a few minutes.

Here’s how to test it:

1️⃣ Look inside the sump pit.
Make sure there isn’t debris, dirt, or anything preventing the pump or float from moving freely.

2️⃣ Check the power.
Make sure the pump is plugged in and the outlet or circuit hasn’t tripped.

3️⃣ Test the float.
Slowly pour water into the sump pit until the float rises. The pump should automatically turn on.

4️⃣ Watch it pump the water out.
The water level should drop and the pump should shut itself off once the float lowers.

5️⃣ Check the discharge outside.
Make sure water is actually leaving the house and the discharge pipe isn’t blocked, disconnected, or dumping water directly next to the foundation.

6️⃣ Check your backup pump.
If you have a battery or secondary backup system, test it too. A backup pump doesn’t do much good if the battery is dead or the pump isn’t working.

✅ A good habit: Test your sump pump periodically and especially before periods of heavy rain.

Finding out your sump pump doesn’t work is much better on a dry afternoon than when water is already coming into your basement.

Source: Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction / 30 Forensic Engineering

— Panoptic Inspections

09/22/2026

Some things you just can’t unsee. 😅

This range hood works… but the stove clearly didn’t get the memo about where it was supposed to go.

If you have even a little bit of OCD, this photo probably bothers you more than it should. 😂

Functionally, the bigger concern is that the hood isn’t centered over the cooking surface, which can reduce how effectively it captures smoke, steam, and grease.

But visually?

Yeah… I’m going to need someone to move that stove about 30 inches to the right before I can sleep tonight. 😆

09/19/2026

This little crawler earns its keep.

I use this camera crawler during inspections to access crawlspaces that are too tight, difficult, or unsafe to fully enter. It lets me get a closer look at areas that might otherwise go unseen — plumbing, supports, wiring, moisture concerns, and other hidden conditions under the home.

Judging by the mud, cobwebs, and debris on this one, it had a pretty productive trip.

Technology doesn’t replace a thorough inspection, but when used correctly, it helps me inspect more of the property and give my clients better information.

Panoptic Inspections LLC
Thorough inspections. Better information.

09/05/2026

I love this guys videos! Very educational

08/28/2026

Never have I ever..

Gone fishing in the toilet (and lost my lure)

I swear that’s a fishing lure…

Found in the wild on 8/27/26

08/15/2026

Why would an inspector REFUSE to flip a breaker back on?

Because sometimes the fact that it’s OFF is the warning.

I’m often asked during inspections if I’ll reset a breaker, open a shutoff valve, or turn something back on so it can be tested.

My answer is no.

Not because I don’t want to test it — but because I have no idea why someone turned it off in the first place.

A recent inspection showed exactly why that matters.

I found a breaker in the OFF position and left it that way.

Later, while inspecting the attic, I discovered significant charring on the roof sheathing and framing. The breaker’s panel label indicated that circuit served an area in very close proximity to the damage.

Was that circuit definitely responsible for the charring? I can’t say that from a visual inspection alone.

But imagine if I had simply flipped that breaker back on.

That’s why intentionally de-energized circuits and closed valves stay that way during my inspections. If operation is necessary, I recommend the owner demonstrate it or have a qualified contractor present who is prepared to address whatever happens next.

Sometimes the most important decision an inspector makes isn’t what to turn on.

It’s knowing what to leave alone.

Would you have flipped the breaker?

07/08/2026

Found this little gem during an inspection: live knob-and-tube wiring with exposed junctions.

Now, knob-and-tube wiring already likes to live by its own rules. It’s not uncommon to find old splices that are not contained in proper junction boxes. But every once in a while, the house decides to really commit to the chaos and gives you live exposed connections that are barely touching.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well… arcing, excessive heat, and fire are all on the menu.

Older wiring systems can remain in service in some homes, but exposed, loose, or poorly made connections are a different issue entirely. This is why electrical inspections matter, especially in older homes where “it’s been that way for years” is not the same thing as “it’s safe.”

06/14/2026

Fascinating!
I mean if you’re a nerd like me…

Address

4498 Highway 63
Malcom, IA
50157

Telephone

+16414810553

Website

http://www.panoinspect.com/

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