High Stakes Home Inspections

04/04/2026

Some good advice for all you DIY guys out there!

03/16/2026

Special Sunday Edition of Daily Tips for Home Owners!

Inspect the "Envelope" Sealant
Check the caulking around windows, doors, and where the siding meets the trim. In a climate with high winds and temperature swings, that sealant cracks. Re-caulking is a $10 fix that prevents $1,000 in rot

03/13/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #13
Label Your Panel...(Correctly)
Most builder labels in the electrical panel are vague or flat-out wrong. Take an afternoon with a partner and a radio to map every outlet and light to a specific breaker. It’s a massive safety bonus during an electrical emergency.

03/12/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #12
Check the "Hidden" Shut-off
Everyone knows where the main water shut-off is (hopefully), but do you know where the gas shut-off is for each individual appliance? If a stove or water heater malfunctions, you don't want to shut down the whole house in the dark; you want to isolate the problem. This is also where you would shut it off to change out an appliance, like a gas stove or dryer.

03/11/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #11
Divert the Downspouts
As an inspector, the #1 cause of foundation issues I see is water management. Ensure your downspouts discharge at least 6 feet away from the foundation. Use underground extensions if necessary to keep that Oklahoma clay from shifting.

03/09/2026

Home owner tips! #9

Most bathroom problems start under the floor—long before you see the damage.
This image explains how a properly designed drainage system works step by step:
• Wastewater leaves each fixture and passes through a water-sealed trap that prevents harmful sewer gases from entering the home.
• Pipes are installed with a consistent downward gradient so gravity can move waste efficiently without stagnation.
• Branch lines connect smoothly into the main drain to maintain steady flow and reduce pressure buildup.
• A dedicated access point allows for inspection and cleaning without dismantling the system.
Knowing how these hidden components work helps homeowners make smarter renovation decisions and avoid costly plumbing failures in the future.

IF it’s already too late, call our friends over at Service Plumbing in Ardmore,OK and they will get you taken care of! 4th generation plumbers too!! +1 (580) 223-1780

03/06/2026

Staying informed about local taxes is essential for homeowners and residents.

Ardmore citizens can vote on April 7, 2026 on a proposed 1¢ sales tax dedicated to streets and drainage.

What does that mean in real terms?
• $1 on a $100 purchase
• 10¢ on a $10 purchase
• 1¢ on a $1 purchase

If approved by voters, the measure is projected to generate approximately $8 million per year to help address long-standing road and flooding infrastructure needs across the city.

Learn more about the proposal and what it could mean for Ardmore’s infrastructure:
Ardmore Master Drainage Study & Congressionally Directed Spending Request: https://ardmorecity.org/162/Engineering
Streets + Engineering List of completed projects: https://www.ardmorecity.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/708
A helpful sales tax FAQ: https://ardmorecity.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/711
Ardmore 2025-2026 budget: https://ardmorecity.org/223/annual-budget

03/06/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #8:
Attic Ventilation:
Ensure your soffit vents aren't blocked by insulation. This one is a little bit harder to do if you arent flexible. If that's the case, give us a call. A "baked" attic can reach 150°F, which cooks your shingles from the inside out and skyrockets your electric bill.

03/05/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #7:

With 90% humidity and 100°F days, your AC isn't just a luxury; it’s a dehumidifier that protects your wood framing and floors.

Service the Condenser: Keep the outdoor unit clear of tall grass and debris. Cottonwood seeds and dust can clog the fins, forcing the compressor to run hotter and die younger.

03/04/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #6
Check the "Flashings":
Most leaks I find aren't from holes in shingles; they are from failing sealant around plumbing vents and chimney flashing. Check these every spring. If you arent comfortable doing so, give us a call and we can look at those for you!

03/03/2026

Daily Tips for Home Owners #5
Tree Canopy:
Keep branches trimmed at least 6 to 10 feet away from the roofline. In high winds, those branches act like saws against your shingles and provide an easy highway for rodents and carpenter ants.🐜🐜