Asbestos Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral used in many construction products. It is considered to be a carcinogen. Asbestos has been used in: sealant, putty, and spackling compounds; vinyl floor tiles, backing for vinyl sheet flooring, and flooring adhesives; ceiling tiles; textured paint; exterior wall and ceiling insulation; roofing shingles; cement board for […]
Flood Zones Check with local authorities to determine if your home is in a flood-risk zone. If it is, check with local building officials. Higher standards than those set by national agencies have been adopted by many communities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program have established and defined five […]
PREVENTING MOISTURE INTRUSION Monitor the Exterior Planters: Check any planting beds adjacent to the foundation of your house because planters are built in a way that traps water, which may infiltrate hidden areas of your home. The structure around the planting beds acts like a dam and traps water. Flower planters should never be installed […]
Retaining Walls If possible, weep holes and related drains should be assessed following a heavy rain to make sure they are working properly. If they are not discharging water, the drains should be cleaned out and observed again in the next rain. Retaining walls more than 2 feet high should be backed with drainage material, […]
Laundry and Utility Room Watch Watch for leaks and kinks developing at plumbing connections to the washing machine. Water will overflow from the top or bottom if the machine is overloaded with a load that’s too big. This can also happen when it is resting on an uneven surface. Protect Protect the electrical or […]
Egress Windows for Fire Safety Egress: Basements and every sleeping room should have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening that opens directly onto a public street, public alley, yard or court. This standard is required because many deaths and injuries happen when occupants are asleep at the time of a house fire […]
Window Maintenance Condition: Window frames, sills and sashes should be monitored because the interior condition and hardware of windows change over time. As home inspectors in Oklahoma, we call out window issues at nearly every inspection we do. Frame materials can include plastic, aluminum, steel, wood, plastic-clad wood, and metal-clad (steel or aluminum) wood. Window […]
The Attic The attic is an unconditioned space between the roof and the ceiling or walls of the building’s inhabited rooms. In a small house with a pitched roof, the attic is usually partially or fully accessible. In a house with a low-slope roof, it may be inaccessible or virtually nonexistent. Most newer homes in […]
Doors and Their Maintenance Interior Doors: Monitor the condition of your home’s doors and door frames, including the interior of entrance doors and storm doors. Check their hardware for finish, wear, and proper functioning. Sticking doors or out-of-square frames may indicate house settlement, which is normal. Exterior Doors: Exterior doors should be checked often […]
12 Devices for Child-Proofing Your Home About 2.5 million children are injured or killed each year by hazards in the home. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child-safety devices available today. Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, […]
Proudly providing inspection services to the OKC metro and surrounding areas from Guthrie to Purcell, El Reno to Shawnee, and everything in-between.
