Moisture Intrusion: Part 2 of 2

February 7, 2018/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Safety, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

How does moisture get into the house?

Homeowners should have a basic understanding of how moisture may enter a home and where problems are commonly found.

Moisture or water vapor moves into a house in the following ways:

Air infiltration: Air movement accounts for more than 98% of all water vapor movement through a building’s cavities. Air naturally moves from high-pressure areas to lower ones by the easiest path possible, such as a hole or crack in the building envelope. Moisture transfer by air currents is very fast—in the range of several hundred cubic feet of air per minute. Replacement air will infiltrate through the building envelope unless unintended air paths are carefully and permanently sealed.
Diffusion through building materials: Most building materials slow moisture diffusion to a large degree, although they never stop it completely.
Leaks from the roof, such as those caused by aging materials needing repair or replacement, storm damage, or deteriorated or unsealed areas around a chimney, skylight, or other roof penetration
Plumbing leaks
Flooding, which can be caused by seepage from runoff or rising groundwater. It may be seasonal or catastrophic; and
household activities, including bathing, cooking, dishwashing, and washing clothes.
Indoor plants, too, may be a significant source of high levels of indoor humidity.

Oklahoma home inspectors know that excess humidity that isn’t allowed to dissipate through adequate ventilation can build up into condensation, which can lead to moisture problems indoors.

Monitoring indoor humidity, introducing fresh air, providing adequate ventilation, and performing regular, seasonal home maintenance will help homeowners monitor the different areas of the home that may harbor unwanted moisture intrusion and all of the problems it can introduce

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

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.

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

Like us on FaceBook

#homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Preparing Trees for Winter

November 4, 2017/0 Comments/in Autumn Home Maintenance, Blog, Home Safety, On-Going Home Maintenance, Winter Home Maintenance/by sherineprice

In Oklahoma, home owners are often caught off-guard by ice storms.

Keeping your trees well-watered throughout the year makes them stronger during those ice storms and other extreme weather.

While some limb breakage is inevitable during extreme weather, properly pruned trees are an important precaution a homeowner can take toward protecting a property’s value. Proper pruning protects from heavy snow fall, ice (usually more damaging than snow), and our sometimes-devastating spring storms with high winds.

While there are some pruning chores homeowners can do without endangering themselves or the tree, certified arborists are trained and outfitted for the big jobs. Maintenance and damage repair on mature tall or spreading trees often require more skill and equipment than most people can handle safely. The chore is fraught with danger, from electrocution to falls and being struck by heavy limbs.

Some pruning needs to take place when trees are young, which helps develop a stronger branching structure. Thinning canopies of mature trees also can help reduce breakage, while too much thinning is detrimental.

As a home inspector in Oklahoma, I can tell you that tree branches that are not kept trimmed a recommended 5-10 ft from a home, can and often do cause damage to a homes roof and siding.

Shade trees are more structurally sound and cost-effective to maintain when they are allowed to develop one dominant, central trunk (or leader, as arborists call it). If a trunk is allowed to develop two equal leaders, that juncture (or crotch) creates a weak spot prime for splitting.

Trees should be pruned so that branches are spaced along the dominant trunk, and they will be stronger than trees with many dominant branches. Some experts say it’s best if this central leader reaches at least 30 feet high.

Safety First! Consulting a professional is always recommended if you are tackling a project you have no experience with or are unsure of.

Here are some links to local arborists that can get the job done for you:

Bill Long Arborist
Cross Timber Arborist

Chainsaws flew off the store shelves following the last storm. Below are a couple of links to check out before purchasing one of the most dangerous tools available to the public.

Chainsaw Safety
Osha Quick Card

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

Like us on FaceBook

#homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

French Drains

October 10, 2017/1 Comment/in Autumn Home Maintenance, Blog, On-Going Home Maintenance, Spring Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

As a home inspector in Oklahoma I see these french drains a lot. I usually find them around homes that are built on a relatively flat lot, or at a point at which water needs to be taken away to avoid intrusion into a home or a feature such as a patio. You may be surprised to hear this from a Home Inspector, but I am genuinely happy when I get to do an inspection during a heavy rain or just afterwards. It gives me a better chance of ensuring that I catch any drainage problems the homes property may have that my client should be aware of.

Usually when I see these grates, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they are filled with debris. This is their purpose, to catch debris before it enters into the drain pipe system and leads to a clog. Best case scenario, the drain pipe takes the water to the street and to a main neighborhood drain, but this is not always the case. Unfortunately, I often can find no evidence of where the drains lead to.

The bottom line is; french drain systems are like any other drain. In order for them to function properly they need to be kept clear of debris. If you have drains like these or others, pay attention next time you get some good rainfall and see if they are doing their job. If they are not, clear away any obstructions that you can gain access to. Should the problem persist, I recommend you gave the drains cleaned professionally by a plumber using a power-feed drain cleaner. If you fancy yourself or someone in the family as handy with tools like this, they can be rented at your local big box store for a reasonable fee.

Like any other home maintenance project, the longer you prolong the repair of these drains, the more costly the fix is likely to be. I’ve seen homes requiring literally thousands of dollars in foundation repair as a result of roof drainage that could have been easily upgraded for less that $50 bucks when the problem first started

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

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, Purcell, Midwest City, Del City, Choctaw, McCloud, Shawnee, Harrah, Newalla, Jones, and more.

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

Florida Scheduler

Like us on FaceBook

#homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Know What’s Below. Call 811 Before you Dig

October 3, 2017/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Energy Efficiency, On-Going Home Maintenance, Winter Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Experience

Believe you me, as a technician working for the cable and phone companies in Oklahoma for over a decade, we went through roll after roll of underground cable during the spring and the fall. On more than one occasion, in addition to cutting the customer’s own cable line, they had also damaged electrical and gas lines. It’s important to Know What’s Below. Call 811 Before you Dig.

It only takes a few seconds to damage a buried pipeline, but the consequences could last
a lifetime. Digging before having underground utilities marked puts you in serious danger
of injury or even death. There’s an easy way to prevent that – just dial 811! It’s a free
call that can keep you and your neighbors safe.

What’s Below

There is a vast network of pipelines, telecommunication cables and electrical wires buried underground that need to be identified before beginning any digging project, to prevent injury, damage and service outages.
One phone call to 8II from wherever you are will route your call to Okie811 which will
alert owners of pipelines, telecommunication cables and power lines to mark their buried
assets within two full business days of the request.

There’s no charge to you for this service.

You may also submit a locate request ticket online by visiting www.okie 811.org
or by downloading the Okie811 mobile app.

Any home inspector will tell you, whether you’re planting a tree or installing a sprinkler system, always remember to call 811 at least two full business days before you plan to dig to allow all utility line locations to be marked.

Whatever the time of year, be safe –
call 811 before you dig!

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

Like us on FaceBook

#homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Barbecue Safety

August 1, 2017/in Blog, Home Safety/by sherineprice

Barbecue Safety

When barbeque season rolls around, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Regardless of the type of grill you have, there are risks for improper use.

Grill Types

Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction.
Charcoal grills pose a serious poisoning threat due to the venting of carbon monoxide (CO). The CPSC estimates that 20 people die annually from accidentally ingesting CO from charcoal grills. These grills can also pose a serious fire hazard, especially by using excessive lighter fluid, failing to monitor the grill while in use, or improperly disposing of ash.
Electric grills are probably safer than propane and charcoal grills, but safety precautions need to be used with them, as well.

Safety Recommendations for General Grill Use

Always make sure that the grill is used in a safe place, where kids and pets won’t touch or bump into it. Keep in mind that the grill will still be hot after you finish cooking, and anyone coming into contact with it could be burned.
If you use a grill lighter, make sure you don’t leave it lying around where children can reach it. They will quickly learn how to use it.
Keep you grill away from siding while it is in use and hot. As home inspectors, we see the results of not following this recommendation all the time.
Never leave the grill unattended, as this is generally when accidents happen.
Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby.
Ensure that the grill is completely cooled before moving it or placing it back in storage.
Ensure that the grill is only used on a flat surface that cannot burn, and well away from any shed, trees and shrubs.
Clean out the grease and other debris in the grill periodically, and scrape the grill rack to remove baked-on food.
Be sure to check the unit for rust and other signs of deterioration.
Don’t wear loose clothing that might catch fire while you’re cooking.
Use long-handled barbecue tools and flame-resistant oven mitts.
Keep alcoholic beverages away from the grill; they are flammable!

In summary, homeowners should exercise caution when using any kind of grill, as they can harm life and property in numerous ways.

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

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

Like us on FaceBook

#homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok #barbecue #safetyfirst

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

July 5, 2017/0 Comments/in Blog, On-Going Home Maintenance, Summer Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Maintaining Your Home

When spring fades and summer sets in Oklahoma City, it’s a great time get outside and assess the exterior space of your home. Here is a summer home maintenance checklist to get you started. Home inspectors will tell you, it does not take much time, but the pay off can be large as you address issues with your homes exterior that could lead to costly damage and repairs.

Check kids’ playground equipment.
Check your wood deck or concrete patio for deterioration.
Check the nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairways.
Check the exterior siding.
Check all window and door locks.
Check your home for water leaks.
Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator, icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles.
Check lawn watering equipment and make sure it is not spraying against masonry walls.
Check all exterior lighting.
Check guttering and downspouts

Home Run Inspections, LLCOklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Link

Like us on FaceBook

#homemaintenance #summer #homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Safe Rooms

July 1, 2017/in Blog, Home Safety/by sherineprice

Safe Rooms

As a home inspector in Oklahoma City, I can tell you this is one of the coolest home features we come across. A safe room, also known as a panic room, is a fortified room that is installed in a private residence (or business) to provide a safe hiding place for inhabitants in the event of an emergency.

Why are safe rooms used?

Some reasons include:

to hide from intruders. The protection of a safe room will afford residents extra time to contact police;
to hide from would-be kidnappers. Many professional athletes, actors and politicians have installed safe rooms in their homes;
for protection against natural disasters, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Underground tornado bunkers are common in certain tornado-prone regions of the United States;
for protection against a nuclear attack. While safe rooms near the blast may be incinerated, those far away may be shielded from radioactive fallout; and
to provide social distancing in the event of a serious disease outbreak.

Location

The safe room’s location must be chosen carefully. You should plan multiple routes to avoid detection by an intruder who may be blocking the main route.

Design

Designs vary with budget and intended use. Even a closet can be converted into a rudimentary safe room, although it should have a solid-core door with a deadbolt lock. High-end custom models costing hundreds of thousands of dollars can have a tamper-proof and bulletproof door, concrete floor, thick steel, soundproof walls, video monitors, computers, an air-cleaning system and protection against bacterial and chemical infiltration, and a self-contained power-generating system.

Items to keep in a safe room:

bottled water and non-perishable foods;
communication devices independent of the safe room’s video-monitoring system, including a cell phone and charger, a landline, and a two-way radio;
blankets and pillows;
extra clothing, outerwear and footwear;
a first-aid kit with extra prescription medications;
flashlights and batteries;
sanitation supplies;
weapons; and
gas masks. Where an odorless gas might be a threat, an electronic device may be installed to detect any noxious fumes or poisons.

If you have or decide to build a safe room, an important thing to remember in order to further ensure your family’s safety is not to advertise it. If the fact is discovered by the wrong person, your safe room or your ability to use it to its full advantage when necessary could be compromised

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Inspection Scheduler

Like us on FaceBook

#saferoom #stormshelters #homesweethome #homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Lead in Drinking Water

June 29, 2017/in Blog, Home Safety/by sherineprice

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead in drinking water has been determined to be a significant health hazard if ingested, especially by children. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, adversely affects behavior and learning, slows growth, and causes problems related to hearing, pregnancy, high blood pressure, the nervous system, memory and concentration.

Lead in drinking water is a direct result of it being part of the plumbing system itself. Lead solder was used in pipe fittings in houses constructed prior to 1988. Lead has been used in plumbing fixtures, such as faucets. And in some older homes, the service water pipe from the main in the street to the house is made of this heavy metal.

The transfer of lead into water is determined primarily by exposure, which is the length of time that water is in contact with lead. Two other factors that affect the transfer are water temperature (hot water dissolves lead quicker than cold water) and water acidity (“soft” water is slightly corrosive and reacts with lead).

The only way to find out whether or not this substance in the homes water is to have it tested by an approved laboratory. As home inspectors in oklahoma, we’ve been performing this test for inspections for nearly a decade. If there is evidence of lead in the system, consider having your home’s water tested for lead. If the house has a water filter, check to see if it is certified to remove lead.

For more information on lead in drinking water, call the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-462-4791, or visit the website of the EPA Office of Water at www.nachi.org/go/epasafewater

Get a home test at Lowes

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Inspection Scheduler

Like us on FaceBook

#drinkingwater #contamination #homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Water Leak Alarms

March 22, 2017/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Safety, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Water Leak Alarm

Have you been stung financially from a water disaster in your home. I have, and it’s no fun.

As a home inspector in Oklahoma City, I often encountered evidence of water-damage. The buyer will then ask how can they can prevent a similar events from happening in the future. One example that comes to mind is having an additional water heater on a second level of a home, or in the attic. One inexpensive way I have found is a battery operated water leak alarm. These simple devices are inexpensive and you can easily place in areas that you have concerns about.

Just google “water leak alarm” and you will see a wide range of inexpensive options. They are readily available at your local big box store or online. These devices can be placed next to washing machines, sinks, water heaters, radiators, bathrooms, basements, boats or sump pumps inside garages or sink cabinets.

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

Like us on FaceBook

#alarm #waterleakdetections #homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Stairs Safety and Maintenance

February 3, 2017/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Safety, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Structural Integrity: All stairs must be kept structurally sound. Remember to examine the basement stairs. Check the area where they meet the floor and where they are attached to the floor joists above.

Stair Width and Clearance: Stairways should have a minimum headroom of 6 feet and 8 inches and a width of 3 feet.

Treads and Risers: The riser of a stair is the height of the step. The tread is the step’s depth. Riser heights and tread depths should be as uniform as possible. All treads should be level and secure. As a guide, stairs in new homes must have a maximum riser height of 7-3/4 inches and a minimum tread depth of 10 inches. The maximum difference in height for risers and depth for treads should not exceed 3/8-inch.

Handrails and Guardrails: You can check a railing’s stability and its fastenings by shaking it vigorously. Handrails are normally required to be 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing on at least one side of all stairways having three or more risers. Guardrails are required on open sides of stairways and should have intermediate rails that do not allow the passage of a sphere 4 inches in diameter.

Lighting: All interior and exterior stairways should have a means to illuminate the stairs, including landings and treads. Interior stairways should have a light located at each landing, except where a light is installed directly over each stairway section. Public stair and hallway lights in multi-family buildings should be operable from centralized controls.

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

Schedule Your Inspections Online at:

Schedule Now

Like us on FaceBook

#stairs #stairsafety #homeruninspections #homeinspectors #homeinspectorokc #homeinspectornearme #inspectionservices #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #OKCRealEstate #oklahomahomeinspector #homeinspectornormanok

Moisture Intrusion: Part 2 of 2

Preparing Trees for Winter

French Drains

Know What’s Below. Call 811 Before you Dig

Experience

What’s Below

Barbecue Safety

Barbecue Safety

Grill Types

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining Your Home

Safe Rooms

Safe Rooms

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead in Drinking Water

Water Leak Alarms

Water Leak Alarm

Stairs Safety and Maintenance

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma Service Areas

Certified Master Inspector