It’s Time for Daylight Savings!

November 4, 2022/0 Comments/in Autumn Home Maintenance, Blog, Home Energy Efficiency, Home Safety, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

It’s time for daylights savings, and accordingly the sun will rise and set earlier. Correspondingly, the shortened evenings can be a real bummer. This is a great time for some home maintenance. After manually changing your clocks, take care of a few other essential tasks.

Put Fresh Batteries in Smoke Alarms/Detectors
For personal safety, verify your smoke alarms/detectors are working, & give them a fresh set of batteries. Replace expired/outdated smoke alarms/detectors.
Reverse & Clean Ceiling Fans
To save on heating costs, clean the fan blades, & flip the switch on the side to reverse the blades. In the summer, you want the fan’s blade to spin counter-clockwise, which pushes air down. In the winter, it’s better for your fan to spin clockwise, which will pull the cold air up.
Service the Heating System & Replace Air Filters
To verify proper safety & functionality, prevent costly repairs, & extend the life of the heating system, have a licensed HVAC professional service it & replace the air filters. Check air filters monthly, & replace them when they are dirty.
Clean the Gutters
In order to avoid costly repair bills, clean debris from gutters, or hire someone else to do so. Generally, cleaning gutters now will be much easier than if you wait until winter to do so.
Restock Your Emergency Kit
Always be prepared with an emergency kit stocked with non-perishable food, water, important docs, and first-aid supplies in the event of an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or some other disaster. Replace any outdated items.

Let us know if you have any questions; we’re here for you!

Scott Price & The All Star Team
Home Run Inspections, LLC
Licensed, Insured, Certified, Professional, Master Inspectors
OK (405) 905-9175 * FL (850) 203-3239

www.HomeRunInspections.Com – – Schedule Inspections Online 24/7!

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

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Stairs Maintenance

August 31, 2022/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Safety, On-Going Home Maintenance/by sherineprice

Stairs Maintenance

Structural Integrity: All stairs must be kept structurally sound. Don’t forget 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 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.

Smoke Detectors: In addition to having them installed in each bedroom or in hallways adjacent to each bedroom, smoke detectors should be installed above stairways and hallways. They should be located on or near the ceiling, near the heads of stairs, and away from corners. Periodically check the operation of all smoke detectors by pushing their test buttons.

#stairs #stairmaintenance #stairsafet

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

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

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What is a WDO Inspection?

February 23, 2022/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Inspections, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Home-buyers will often ask “what is a WDO inspection?”. WDO stands for Wood-Destroying Organisms. These are pests that can cause serious problems in the wooden structural components of a home. That’s why an infestation may go unnoticed until the damage is already extensive. Control measures include preventing insect entry by sealing holes and cracks and hiring a professional to apply chemicals for remedial treatment. The most common types of destructive insects are termites and ants.

Termites

Subterranean termites are the most damaging insects of wood. Their presence is often hard to notice, and damage usually is found before the termites are seen. You should take measures to prevent infestations, which may require hiring a pest-control service.

If you see the following signs in your house, you might have termites:

Frass or Sawdust-like Droppings which result from the insect’s tunneling activities
Dirt or Mud-like Tubes or Trails on various parts of the home’s structure such as wooden support members, plumbing pipes, or foundation
Exit Holes with Dirt at drywall/sheetrock
Damaged Wood Members such as window sills, trim, framing
Swarming, Winged Insects within the home, especially in the spring or fall

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees, but typically have a shiny, hairless abdomen (bumblebees usually have a hairy abdomen with black and yellow stripes. The carpenter bees also have different nesting habits. Bumblebees nest in an existing cavity often underground (abandoned rodent burrows), whereas carpenter bees tunnel into wood to lay their eggs.

The carpenter bee is so-called because of where it chooses to make its home. They are solitary bees and are not part of a larger hive community. Instead, they burrow into soft woods, such as the siding of a house, to live in and lay larvae. The female carpenter bee is the one who makes the hole by chewing through the wood.

Wood-Decaying Fungus

Wood-destroying fungus or fungi causes more damage to structures than all the fires, floods, and termites combined! Wood decaying fungus requires four fundamentals to survive which are oxygen, favorable temperatures, water, and food. Fungus occurs generally when the moisture content of wood exceeds 20 to 30 percent, coupled with optimal temperatures (32 ̊ – 90 ̊ F), an adequate supply of oxygen and a suitable source of energy and nutrients.

There are several different kinds of fungus including White Rot Fungi, Brown Rot Fungi, and Soft Rot Fungi.

Water is the enemy of wood! Moisture control must be an integral part of any plan designed for the prevention of wood decay fungi.

The following guidelines are a good way to start:

Make sure all wood in contact with the ground is pressure treated
Posts, piers and framing members should always be placed on concrete footers above the surrounding soil level
Guttering should carry all roof run-off water 2 to 6 feet away from the structure
Monitor all visible wood for signs of moisture retention, damage or intrusion, & correct the conditions
Ventilation of crawlspaces is critical to prevent “dead air” spaces
Adequate cross-ventilation beneath the structure will minimize “dead air” spaces
Install crawlspace vents at a minimum of two square feet per opening for every 25 linear feet of wall
Avoid any obstructions of the crawlspace vents by vegetation, storage or physically sealing off openings

Tips to Avoid Expensive Repairs

In crawlspaces with continuously moist soil, a vapor barrier can be installed to minimize condensation onto framing components. Vapor barriers are designed to maintain the moisture at the soil level
Use pressure treated wood properly, or select heartwood (redwood, cedar) or non-wood composite materials if moisture conditions are unavoidable (decks, wood in ground contact, etc.)
Borate treatment by a licensed professional will protect wood from decay
Repair plumbing leaks immediately
Clear rain gutters and downspouts of debris regularly
Repair roof leaks immediately
Maintain all exterior wood surfaces sealed with a water repellent paint or stain
Maintain all interior wood window sills sealed with a water repellent paint or stain since condensation is common around windows
Keep all commodes secured tightly to the floor to minimize possible leakage at the seal
Periodic inspections should be part of a routine maintenance schedule

The Importance of a WDO Inspection

Regular inspections of your home are an important part of home maintenance. Having a Home Inspector look for wood-destroying insects and organisms can alert you to possible infestations in the wooden structural components of your home – – a serious problem that often goes undetected for a long time and can cause major damage to your home.

The home inspector will thoroughly, visually inspect the exterior and interior of the home top to bottom inside and out. They know what to look for and where to look for the most common types of evidence of wood-destroying organisms.

Call Home Run Inspections today for your WDO inspection!

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.

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Locating Your Water Shut-Off

February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance, Winter Home Maintenance/by sherineprice

When temperatures rise above freezing, a significant number of water plumbing problems will show themselves. When or if a plumbing problem does show up in your home, you will need to know where the water shut-off to your home is located. Due to the number of problems this deep freeze is going to cause, it might be a while before you can get that repair done. It is a good idea to get the phone number handy for a local, reputable plumber just in case.

Hopefully you already have an idea of where the water shut-off is located. If you had your home inspected by Home Run Inspections LLC, you got that information from your inspector at the end of your inspection and also have that information in your inspection report. If you cannot locate your inspection report or email with the inspection report link, give us a call, and we can re-send that to you.

Possible Locations

Let’s explore some possible locations. Fortunately, in many modern homes, it is located on the interior of your home. Better yet, interior water shut-offs typically require no special tools to operate them. Handles are, in older homes, like that on an exterior hose spigot. Newer interior valves have a handle that you grab and move about 1/4 turn to the right.

Possible Locations:

Street Side Meter Vault
Garage
Laundry/Utility Room
Under the Kitchen Sink
Under the Bathroom Sink
Hallway Closet
Front Bedroom Closet

The valve handle may be readily visible, or it may be behind a wooden or plastic door. These doors are typically located about 12″ above the floor. Although, I have seen them at eye level when the valve is part of what is called a plumbing manifold.

If you have well water, the shut-off valve will be at the well equipment or you can shut water supply off by turning off power to the well head itself. This breaker is usually located at the electrical panel which is typically located in the garage or on an exterior wall. It can be located at the well equipment itself if the equipment is in an exterior structure.

Even if you are fortunate enough to have an interior water shut off that you can access from the comfort of your home without a tool, your main water shut off is typically streetside at the front of your home. For a lot of home owners, this is the only water shut off available. To access this vault, you will need a tool referred to as a church key or water meter vault key.

Tools Needed

The top of this very cool tool looks similar to a flag and is the part that is used to open the lid. Simply insert and turn. Sometimes you can just lift it off. Others will require a little finesse to get the mechanism to release the lid. The U-shaped attachment at the end of the tool. is used to turn the valve at the bottom of the vault. Fit the attachment on the top of the valve. Then, using the top handles, turn the valve (typically to the right) until you feel a stop. You should leave a faucet or tub running before going to turn this valve off. This will allow you to see the meter running at the beginning and then to see it stop when you have successfully closed the valve.

Of course, this process may be above the scope of what you or any member of your household may be able to accomplish. In that case, call your local water company, advise them of the problem, and they will have someone come out to shut off the water for you.

Hopefully you have found this article helpful. If so, be sure and share it with friends and family that may find it helpful as well. At Home Run Inspections LLC, we understand that owning a home is a big responsibility. We do our best at every inspection to help our clients better understand not only any problems that the home may currently have, but also how to manage problems that will likely occur while they enjoy life in the home they have chosen.

At Home Run Inspections we make it easy to get your inspections done. Schedule your inspection online today!

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

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Dryer Vent

February 4, 2021/0 Comments/in Home Inspections, Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance/by sherineprice

A home encases a variety of systems.

These systems, by their very nature and design, require regular maintenance. At Home Run Inspections, LLC, we do our best to educate our clients about the home and the systems they will need to attend to over time: where the dryer vent is located, where the breaker panel is located, where the sewer clean out is located, for example.

The Dryer Vent

One of the most utilized and arguably most ignored systems in a home, is the dryer exhaust vent. Depending upon how many people live in a home, this vent is utilized weekly and often several times weekly (if not daily).As a home inspector in Oklahoma City and completing over 100o inspections personally and overseeing over 4000 as a company, I can confidently tell you most dryer vents we inspect have problems. We have a long list of potential recommendations based on the training we gain as home inspectors, but more importantly, from experience. Issues range from the most common, a disconnected exhaust pipe in the attic or crawlspace or a missing dryer exhaust, to the more difficult to identify as in difficult to observe obstructions or incorrect vent discharge point.

All of our reports tell you about your dryer vent, what it is composed of and where it discharges. Our home inspectors like to take a picture of the discharge point, along with an up-view of the vent to identify blockages or missing parts.

Most Common Issue

By far, the most common recommendation is to clear blockages. I’ve read in more than one place that obstructed dryer vents are one of the most common starting points for residential home fires.

One of the cooler aspects about our jobs as home inspectors in Oklahoma City is discovering innovative ways to deal with common home system problems. These upgrades often come in the form of a new product offered by service companies, but they often may be a resolution created by the home owner.

Innovative Practices

The above photos show an ingenious way to slow the accumulation of lint in the dryer vent pipe. A common problem for a typical home concerns the vent pipe. Hot moist air is carried through the cool, unconditioned space(the attic) during the winter. This can cause build up of lint as condensation on the inside of the pipe.

I’ve also seen a booster fan mechanism that you can insert in the pipe to help move the moist air to the discharge point more quickly and presumably reducing problems.

Which brings us to one of the most important aspects of the dryer vent system; the exhaust vent exterior.

Exhaust Point

This is a point that also often experiences a collection of moist lint over time, and thus an obstruction. This point is often at the roof. It can also be other locations such as an exterior wall, roof soffit, or even the crawlspace.

As you can see, out of sight out of mind does not always end well. Moisture and lint in the attic or crawlspace is a no-no. Exhausted air should always discharge to the exterior.

Take a look at our Report process for insights on how we really go the extra mile to tell you all about your potential purchase.

Keep us in mind when you or someone you know needs a residential or commercial property inspection. Scheduling is a breeze on our website 24/7 in the Oklahoma City Metro or Florida Panhandle.

We look forward to exceeding your expectations while we Cover all the Bases!

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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Covering All the Bases

January 28, 2021/0 Comments/in Home Inspections, Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance/by sherineprice

(termite tubes in a locked exterior mechanical closet)

Oklahoma Standards of Practice

As a licensed home inspector, we follow the State of Oklahoma Standards of Practice. There is a long list of systems that we inspect and describe at a home inspection. Covering all the bases includes the big systems you would think of like the roof, plumbing, electrical, and structure. A good home inspector is a strong sense of curiosity along with an educator’s heart.

There are a lot of things to inspect on homes that are not covered by Oklahoma’s Home Inspector SOPs. For example, home inspections do not cover (unless contracted to) termites, pool and spa systems, well and septic systems, sewer lines, and in-slab HVAC ducts to name a few. Home buyers often want and need these systems inspected. That creates a lot of extra work for the buyer and or their agent to make sure all of these specialists show up at the same time.

(object puncturing sewer line creating an obstruction and waste leak into the yard)

Covering All the Bases

As a business owner in Oklahoma City, I saw early on that it would be a lot easier on customers for our company to incorporate those other inspections into our Home Inspection services offered. It’s been a challenge as a Home Inspector to learn about all of these other systems. Not only have we completed the course work, but have received hands-on training from the experts. I believe we have done a great job of becoming the One-Stop-Shop that makes the home buying process far less complicated.

We now have the equipment to provide all kinds of inspections(cover all the bases) that you may need for your inspection. These include pool and spa, well and septic, duct and sewer scoping, Indoor Air Quality test, and more.

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

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Trash Compactors

August 27, 2018/in Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Why Use a Trash Compactor?
Permanently installed residential trash compactors run on electricity and use a small hydraulic system to crush trash down to a fraction of its original volume (sometimes down to 25%) in order to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste regularly generated by a household. Smaller and narrower than a dishwasher, they are a standard kitchen appliance in new-construction homes.

How They Work
Trash compactors have three main components: the motor; the ram; and the trash container drawer. The motor runs using household electricity, which activates the ram that is operated using hydraulics. Units vary by size, quality and cost. The loading capacity for the average home unit is generally around 25 gallons, and the compacting force can range between 2,000 pounds to 5,000 pounds, depending on type and quality.

Most units must be at least half full in order to work properly. To use the unit, non-food refuse should be placed or stacked neatly at the bottom of the drawer. When it is at least half full, the unit can be activated so that the ram compacts the drawer’s contents.

Safely Disposing of Household Trash
Generally, bottles, cans, cardboard, paper and plastic items and the like can be conveniently disposed of in a trash compactor. In order to minimize odors, containers that once held food and beverages should be rinsed before being placed in the drawer.

Trash compactors require the use of specially-fitted bags that, once filled, easily lift out of the unit for disposal or trash pickup.

Perishable food items can stain the unit’s interior and create unnecessary mess and foul odors, which is why they should not be disposed of in a trash compactor. These types of items should be discarded using a garbage disposal or food grinder, or recycled as compost waste.

Additionally, hazardous materials should never be placed in a trash compactor, as crushing them can have unintended consequences that can damage the unit, create an unsafe environment, and/or cause negative health effects. These include batteries, cigarette butts (which may not be fully extinguished), household rags used with toxic substances, cans and containers that held hazardous liquids and chemicals (as residue can spill out and cause damage or negative health effects), and similar items. These should be wrapped and disposed of separately, or recycled according to local guidelines or ordinances.

Safety Precautions and Sensors
As a safety precaution, trash must never be stuffed down into the bottom of the drawer with one’s hands or feet, as this can dent or offset the drawer and its rollers, as well as damage the hydraulics. Rough use and frequent misuse can lead to chronic problems with the unit and its components.

Caution should be used when removing filled bags, as items that have been crushed may create sharp protrusions. Many people wear gloves while removing bags for disposal.

The unit should always be locked, even when not in use. Curious children may wish to pull open the drawer and hide inside, or activate the unit, which is why they should never be left unattended around an unlocked trash compactor.

Spills around the unit should be immediately cleaned up for safety as well as hygienic reasons. Because trash compactors use electricity, spilled water or other liquids can cause the unit to short out or create an unsafe hazard for users.

Trash compactors have built-in safeguards, such as locks, misload sensors, tilt sensors, and drawer-monitor switches, which are designed to help prevent injury, over-filling and under-filling, as well as detect when trash has been accidentally placed within the unit but outside the drawer (such as behind the drawer where the ram and hydraulics are located). However, because they are constructed of many mechanical parts and electrical wiring, trash compactors can malfunction and chronically break down if not used and maintained properly.
Repairs and replacing parts should be performed by a qualified professiona

Home Run Inspections
405-905-9175, 850-203-3239
Info@HomeRunInspections.com
We cover all of the bases!

Serving: Oklahoma City, Edmond, Yukon, Moore, Norman, Purcell, Midwest City/Del City, Bethany, El Reno, Shawnee, Harrah, and more.

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Garbage Disposals

August 24, 2018/in Home Inspections, Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

What Are Food-Waste Disposers?
Garbage disposals, also called food-waste disposers, are residential appliances designed to shred food waste so that it can fit through plumbing. They are usually electrically powered (although occasionally powered by water pressure) and are installed beneath sinks. As a home inspector, we always inspect this appliance.

Why Use a Garbage Disposal?
When food waste is discarded into the trash, it places an enormous burden on waste-management systems. Garbage disposals reduce the severity of these problems by routing food waste into septic systems or sewers instead of landfills.

Garbage Disposals and Septic Systems
If a garbage disposal discharges into a septic tank, it can place significant strain on the septic system. We really don’t see this in Oklahoma City very much. The amount of waste that enters the tank, particularly grease and suspended solids, will increase considerably. This load increase requires that the septic tank be pumped more often than would otherwise be required. The additional strain will also reduce the lifespan of the septic system. Septic systems can be designed to accommodate food waste, but, in general, they are not.

Electrical Wiring Requirements

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require a garbage disposal to have GFCI protection.
The vibration caused by the operation of a garbage disposal can cause electrical connections to separate. Check for any loose connections in the wire compartment box at the base of the disposal.
Garbage disposals should be either hardwired or connected to an outlet through a grounded electrical outlet.
A dedicated circuit is generally recommended, although a circuit that is shared with a dishwasher is sometimes appropriate. The disposal’s user or installation manual should be consulted.

Precautions for Testing Garbage Disposals:

To test a garbage disposal for leaks, turn it on and run water through it. The water load should be great enough so that any leaks will become apparent. A good way to do this is to close the drain and fill the sink with water before releasing the stopper.
While testing a garbage disposal, never put anything other than water through it. Before turning it on, check to make sure there are no objects already in the disposal.
If a dishwasher is connected to the disposal, make sure that the line that connects them is securely attached.
Check to make sure that the garbage disposal is connected to a drain that is 1½ inches or greater in diameter.
Check to make sure that the disposal is provided with an adequate water supply.
If the home has a double sink, check to make sure the waste pipe from the disposal has a trap installed.

Maintenance and Operation Suggestions:

Put only small quantities of food into the disposal at a time. Large food scraps should be cut into smaller pieces before entering the disposal.
Never put anything down the disposal that is not food or water. Bottle caps, aluminum foil, and other non-food items can damage the disposal or get stuck in the plumbing piping.
Run water while using the disposal and for approximately 30 seconds after you turn it off. Food scraps will flow through the piping more easily if they are pushed along by water. Cold water is better than warm water for this purpose because it will force fats and grease to congeal and harden, allowing them to move more easily through pipes. Warm water can be run through the disposal while it is not in operation.
Ice can be used to clear off solidified grease and other debris from the blades in a garbage disposal.

The garbage disposal should be used to grind only non-fibrous, leftover food. If in doubt as to whether something can be put in the disposal, err on the side of caution and put it in the trash instead.
The following items should never be put in a disposal:

items that are hard enough to dull the blades, such as shells from shellfish or bones;
food that is highly fibrous, such as corn husks, artichokes, pineapples, potato peels, asparagus, or celery, which should enter a disposal only in small quantities or disposed of in the trash. These foods take a long time to grind and can clog the disposal or the plumbing;
grease and household oils; or
chemicals.

Garbage disposals have the potential to limit the amount of household trash that must be taken away to waste management facilities. They can also place additional strain on septic systems and, for this reason, they should be used infrequently

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

Info@HomeRunInspections.com

We Cover All the Bases!

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

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Dishwashers

August 21, 2018/in Blog, Home Energy Efficiency, Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

How Does a Dishwasher Work?
Dishwashers are labor-saving and water-conserving appliances that were first invented in the U.S. in the 1850s. There are both portable units and permanently installed units that are found in most homes today.
Home Inspectors always inspect dishwashers. Permanently installed dishwashers rely on the home’s electrical and plumbing systems, which is why their proper operation and maintenance are critical to household safety and trouble-free use.

A dishwasher operates with sprayed water using multiple cycles of washing and rinsing, followed by drying, using hot, forced circulated air. These cycles may be further distinguished according to length of cycle, power and temperature.

Dishwashers are plugged into a dedicated electrical receptacle at the back of the unit, and usually plumbed into the home’s hot water supply, although the cold water supply is also an option. This assures that the dishwasher’s load is optimally washed and rinsed using the maximum recommended temperature range of between 130° F and 170° F.

The dimensions of an average unit are 24×24 inches, although deluxe models may be wider and/or deeper to accommodate larger loads. Its interior components are typically made of stainless steel and/or plastic, and the exterior door may be metal, enamel-covered metal, or having a wood or wood-like veneer to match the decor of the kitchen cabinets.

Use, Maintenance and Precautions
Dishwasher-safe glasses, cups, plates, bowls, pots, pans and utensils, as well as some ceramic-ware and cutlery, are loaded into pull-out racks and baskets. They can be safely washed and rinsed in cycles that vary in intensity and length.

Many users rinse, soak or pre-treat cookware to remove solids and excess food waste before loading it in the dishwasher; this is a matter of personal preference, as well as how well the unit works on everyday and heavy-duty loads, although waste that cannot be adequately drained should be removed from dishware before the soiled items are loaded into the unit.

Dishwashers can also be used to effectively disinfect toothbrushes, infants’ plastic toys, formula bottles and synthetic nipples, and teething rings, as well as other household and personal hygiene items. However, extremely soiled items that come into contact with potentially hazardous or toxic materials, such as tools, gardening implements and the like, should not be washed in a dishwasher, as the toxic residue may not fully rinse out of the interior, which can contaminate future loads of dishware and utensils, as well as clog plumbing lines.

Soaps, pre-treaters and rinsing agents to prevent or eliminate water spots are available in a variety of costs, quality and effectiveness. They also come in both powder and liquid form. Regardless of the type of detergent used, it should be specifically for dishwasher use only, as other soaps can leave behind residue, as well as create excess foam and leaks.

Maintenance is relatively easy and can be done by running the unit through a hot-water cycle while it is empty, but this is only suggested following an especially dirty load where residue has not fully washed and drained for some reason.

Dishwashers should never be overloaded. Loads should be distributed and racked such that cleaning will be effective. It is recommended that plastic items be loaded into the unit’s top rack to avoid their coming into contact with hot elements in the unit’s bottom and then melting, or being jostled by the power of the sprayers and subsequently blocking them, which may prevent the water from reaching the unit’s entire load.

It is important to monitor the unit for failure to fully drain, as well as for leaks, excessive noise and movement, and burning smells, which can indicate a burned-out motor, an issue with the plumbing connected to the unit, or a problem with its original installation. A qualified professional should evaluate a malfunctioning unit and perform any repairs

Home Run Inspections
405-905-9175
Info@HomeRunInspections.com
We cover all of the bases!

Serving: Oklahoma City, Edmond, Yukon, Moore, Norman, Purcell, Midwest City/Del City, Bethany, El Reno, Shawnee, Harrah, and more.

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Kitchen Sink

August 18, 2018/in Blog, Home Safety, Homeowner Tools, On-Going Home Maintenance/by Scott Price

Sinks are a category of plumbing fixtures that includes kitchen sinks, service sinks, bar sinks, mop sinks and wash sinks. A sink is considered a different item than a lavatory (or a bathroom sink), although the terms are often used interchangeably. Sinks can be made of enameled cast-iron, vitreous china, stainless steel, porcelain-enameled formed steel, non-vitreous ceramic, and plastic materials.

Sink waste outlets should have a minimum diameter of 1-1/2 inches. Most kitchen sinks have an opening of 3-1/2 inches in diameter. A food-waste grinder has a standard opening of 3-1/2 inches, and so do most kitchen sink basket strainers. A strainer or crossbar should be provided to restrict the clear opening of the waste outlet.

Plumbing Requirements for Garbage Disposals
Food-waste grinders (also known as garbage disposals and disposers) are designed to grind foods, including bones, into small-sized bits that can flow through the drain line. Using them to dispose of fibrous and stringy foods, such as corn husks, celery, banana skins and onions, is not recommended because fibers tend to pass by the grinder teeth, move into the drain pipe, and cause drains to clog.

Water must be supplied to the grinder to assist during its operation in transporting waste. The water flushes the grinder chamber and carries the waste down the drainpipe. Blockage may result if the grinder is used without running the water during operation. Grinders should be connected to a drain of not less than 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Food-waste grinders are supplied with water from the sink faucet. They do not add to the load used to compute drainage pipe sizing. The drain size required for a grinder is consistent with that for a kitchen sink.

Plumbing Requirements for Dishwashers
The water supply to a residential dishwasher should be protected against backflow by an air gap or backflow preventer. The machine must be equipped with an integral backflow mechanism, or the potable water supply must have either a backflow preventer or an air gap. The discharge pipe from the dishwasher should be increased to a minimum of 3/4-inch in diameter. It should be connected with a wye fitting to the sink tailpiece. Before connecting to the sink tailpiece, the dishwasher waste line should rise and be securely fastened to the underside of the counter. The combined discharge from a sink, dishwasher, and waste grinder is allowed to discharge through a single 1-1/2-inch trap.

Maintenance Tips
Homeowners should take care not to overload the garbage disposal or the dishwasher, as this can lead to leaks and backups in the sink and the plumbing system. A backup at the kitchen sink may mean that the garbage disposal is clogged, or the plumbing line has some obstruction that prevents proper drainage. It’s important that homeowners understand the cause of the problem, as well as the proper way to repair it, before dismantling pipes under the sink. The right size of fittings and replacement parts, as well as proper drainage (including slope and traps) will ensure that the sink will work as it should following a repair, which is why most maintenance issues are best left to professionals, unless the homeowner has the proper instruction, parts and tools available.

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