Weep Holes

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Wall Ventilation

Weep Holes on exterior masonry walls are something we look for as Home Inspectors.  I have done a fair amount of research into the topic and thought I would share my opinion.  As you probably know, all Home Inspectors have one.

So the way I look at it, if the home that I am inspecting does not have weep holes, I don’t mention it.  Why you ask?  Because the solution would be both costly and, very likely, not effective.  Or worse, damaging to the home design. If you look at the diagram below you can see why.

Above you see that the weep hole itself is just one element of a system.  If I were to randomly drill out some weep holes with no knowledge of where the sill plate is or whether or not necessary flashing has been installed and its location, I am probably creating more problems then I am solving.

On the other hand, if I can see that weep holes were installed and have been filled in with a material or are now below grade and need to be cleared, then I feel more confident in suggesting an improvement.

Tip-If you or someone in your new residence is not ok with a hole in the mortar even if it is for a purpose, you can insert some steel wool.  It’s cheap, easy, and will still let any vapor moisture escape as necessary.  Most importantly, it will keep out the mice and spiders.

Love your home and it will love you back!
Scott Price, CPI, #1532
Certified Home Inspector
Home Run Inspections
405-905-9175
Info@HomeRunInspections.com
We cover all of the bases!

Serving the Oklahoma City metro and surrounding areas including Edmond, Guthrie, Cashion, Yukon, Moore, Norman, Chickasha, Midwest City/Del City, Bethany, El Reno, Shawnee, Harrah, and more.

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Concrete Cracks

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Cracked Up

Concrete cracks are nearly always referenced in my home inspection reports.  In Oklahoma, and I would imagine nation wide, cracks in walkways, driveways and patios are common. Most of the time they are not related to any structural problem but simply a result of the expansion and contraction of the concrete itself or the soil it sits on and is surrounded by.

Resolution

I have noticed from personal experience and from other home owners who have made it a point to perform regular maintenance around their home, that applying the appropriate sealant when the cracks are noticed, can go a long way in preventing further deterioration.  Sealing cracks quickly will prevent expansion through ice and snow entry in the winter and soil and vegetation entry the rest of the year.

So the next time you are at your favorite home improvement store, spend a few bucks and put a reminder on your phone for your next day off to seal up those cracks you have noticed.  Long term they could avoid costly replacement cost and trip hazards. Also, you will avoid having to deal with it when you sell your home and the buyers inspector calls it out as a defect.

Love your Home and it will love you back!

Check back often for other valuable information to help you protect one of your biggest investments

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma:  405-905-9175

Florida:  850-203-3239

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

Serving the Oklahoma City metro and surrounding areas including Edmond, Yukon, Piedmont, Bethany, El Reno, Tuttle, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, Del City, Choctaw, McCloud, Shawnee, Harrah, Newalla, Jones, and more.

Also Now Serving the Florida Panhandle metro areas including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Niceville, Shalimar, Freeport, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Panama City Beach, and more.

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Preparing for your Home Inspection

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You Found the One!

So you finally got a contract on your home.  Congratulations! Now it’s time to take a few moments and take the necessary steps to do all you can to make sure the inspection process goes as smoothly as possible.  Preparing for your home inspection will save everyone involved time and headaches.  Trust me.

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that every inspector inspects the “readily accessible” aspects of your home. If he or she cannot get to your electrical panel, or cannot see the walls and floors(and sometimes ceilings) of your garage, or access your attic due to all the personal belongings you have stored there, it will be noted in the report.  Your potential buyer now has a less than thorough inspection of their new home.  This often results in another re-inspection at a later date and more time and hassle for all parties involved.  It may even result in, dare I say it, more showings.

Staging

I know that moving is stressful.  Staging your home showing after showing is stressful.  I’ve done both more than I care to admit.  I also know from doing sometimes 10 inspection a week that the homeowners who take the time to thin out the storage under cabinets, move the cars, motorcycles, and personal water craft out of the garage, and make a trip to the local storage unit, experience a much smoother moving process.

Bottom line?  You have come this far.  You have a contract.  Take the time necessary to finish the process and get your perspective buyer to the closing table so you and your family can move onto your next adventure

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma:  405-905-9175

Florida:  850-203-3239

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

Serving the Oklahoma City metro and surrounding areas including Edmond, Yukon, Piedmont, Bethany, El Reno, Tuttle, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, Del City, Choctaw, McCloud, Shawnee, Harrah, Newalla, Jones, and more.

Also Now Serving the Florida Panhandle metro areas including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Niceville, Shalimar, Freeport, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Panama City Beach, and more.

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Oklahoma Scheduler

Florida Scheduler 

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Home Run Inspections, LLC

We are an All-Star Team of Professional Inspectors providing Excellence in Inspection Services to Help You Assess & Maintain the Value of Your Real Estate Investments.

Call Now: (405) 905-9175

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