Garza Home Inspection, LLC

05/21/2026

Join a $28.5M Class Action and potentially get Pro rata cash payment (varies). Keller Williams and RE/MAX are paying $28.5M after being accused of inflating homebuyer commissions. If you bought a home listed on an MLS, you may be owed cash.

04/26/2026

This space is absolutely bussin' no cap. 👌

The blue flame is what you want. It means the gas is getting enough oxygen, so it burns clean and properly. This is called complete combustion. It produces heat, carbon dioxide, and water v***r. It burns hotter, is safer, and cooks food better.

The yellow or orange flame is a warning sign. It means the gas is not burning properly, usually because the burner is dirty or the airflow is blocked. This is called incomplete combustion. It can produce carbon monoxide, which is very dangerous. It also wastes energy and gives weaker heat.

So, a steady blue flame is good, while a yellow or orange flame means something needs to be fixed.

04/06/2026

In Michigan, we don’t have four seasons; we have Winter, Fool’s Spring, Mud, and Construction. We are officially in the Mud Season.

I’ve gotta tell you—I’m seeing a lot of "unintentional waterfront property" this week! 🕵🏽‍♂️🏠

Friendly Reminder: Be mindful of the soft ground. Give the yard a week (or three) to firm up. Your grass—and your sanity—will thank you. Stay dry out there! ☔️

• Standing water? Normal for now.

• Soft ground? Definitely.

• Spring cleanup? Check back in May.

Let the yard dry out so you don't do more harm than good. In the meantime, stay inside where it’s dry and enjoy your temporary "waterfront" views! ☔️🛶

03/24/2026

🛑 ✋🏽🛑✋🏽🛑✋🏽

Practical Procrastination 🤔

The "Michigan Spring" Grace Period

The best part about a Michigan Spring? Not doing yard work yet. ❄️🌷

Let’s be honest: We all saw that one 50-degree day and thought, "Maybe I should go rake the dead leaves and prep the garden beds."

Then Michigan remembered it was Michigan.

While the ground is still crunchy and the air still has that "gentle" Arctic bite, you have my official permission as a home inspector to stay on the couch. Your yard is currently a frozen tundra/mud pit hybrid—it’s not ready for you, and you’re definitely not ready for it.

Consider this your seasonal "hall pass" to postpone the chores and keep the coffee hot. When the ground finally thaws and the black flies return, we’ll talk. Until then, stay warm! ☕🧤

03/05/2026

🚨‼️🚨‼️🚨‼️🚨‼️

Lower Interest Rates 📉 + High Home Prices 🏷️ = Don't Skip the Inspection!

The 2026 market is a bit of a paradox. Interest rates have finally dipped (hello,

03/03/2026

Modern fire safety research has revealed a sobering reality: the "window of survival" during a house fire has shrunk dramatically over the past few decades.

While a fire in a home from the 1950s or 1970s might have allowed residents roughly 15 minutes to escape, current data from the UL Fire Safety Research Institute and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests that today’s occupants may have as little as 3 to 5 minutes before conditions become life-threatening.

This rapid acceleration is primarily driven by the transition from natural materials like wood and cotton to synthetic, petroleum-based products commonly found in modern furniture and building materials.

The composition of a modern home acts almost like solid gasoline when ignited. Synthetic materials—such as polyurethane foam in couches and polyester in drapes—burn much hotter and faster than natural fibers, releasing thick, toxic black smoke that can incapacitate a person in seconds.

Furthermore, the popular "open concept" floor plans of contemporary architecture contribute to the danger by removing physical barriers like walls and doors that would traditionally slow the spread of flames and smoke, allowing a small fire in a kitchen or living room to quickly consume the entire living space.

Because every second counts in a modern fire, experts emphasize that traditional escape plans must be updated to reflect this accelerated timeline.

The "Close Before You Doze" campaign is one such critical safety measure, as a closed bedroom door can keep temperatures significantly lower and oxygen levels higher, potentially providing those extra minutes needed for firefighters to arrive.

In a world where fire moves faster than ever, early detection via interconnected smoke alarms and a practiced two-minute escape plan are no longer just recommendations—they are essential for survival.

02/17/2026

02/05/2026

❄️ Don’t Shovel That Snow! (At least not over your Septic...)

In Michigan, we usually spend all winter fighting snow, but if you have a septic system, you actually want that "White Blanket" right where it is.

Here’s why: Fresh, fluffy snow is one of nature’s best insulators, it’s about 90% air. It traps air and keeps the heat from your home's wastewater inside the pipes and tank. Because that air is trapped, snow acts as a thermal insulator. Since the air can barely move heat transfer is reduced. A thick layer of snow can be the difference between a system that runs all winter and a frozen "no-flush" emergency in February.

Frost Protection: A good 12-inch layer of uncompacted snow can keep the soil underneath it significantly warmer than the air above. This prevents the "frost line" from driving deep enough to reach the septic lines or the tank itself.

The Golden Rule: NO COMPACTING! 🚫

Whatever you do, don't drive your snowmobile, park your truck, or even trample a path over your septic tank or drain field.

Why? When you pack snow down, you squeeze out the air. Instead of a blanket, you’ve created an "ice bridge" that drives the frost deep into the ground—right toward your pipes.

Pro-Tip: If we have a winter with no snow but sub-zero temps, consider throwing a layer of loose straw or hay over your tank area to mimic that insulation!

01/26/2026

🏡 Is Your Roof "Feeling the Weight" This Winter?

❄️ ☃️ While one snowstorm might not cause a collapse, repeated heavy snow loads cause hidden damage over time. Here’s what’s happening above your head:

• The Permanent Sag: Persistent weight can "stretch" wood fibers. Over several winters, this causes a permanent sag (structural "creep") that doesn't go away when the snow melts.

• Loosened Joints: The cycle of snow piling up and melting acts like a slow-motion hammer, eventually backing out nails and weakening the metal plates holding your roof together.

• Bowing Walls: A heavy roof doesn't just push down—it pushes out. If your doors are sticking or you see new cracks in your drywall, your roof might be pushing against your exterior walls.

• Hidden Rot: The sheer weight of snow can force moisture into tiny cracks, leading to wood rot that quietly eats away at your home’s skeletal strength.

📝 Technical Note: Standard residential roofs are typically designed to handle a "Live Load" (temporary weight) of about 20 to 40 pounds per square foot, depending on your local climate. For context, 1 foot of heavy, wet snow can weigh up to 20 lbs/sq ft on its own, quickly approaching the safety limit.

🏠 Pro-Tip: If you see more than 6 inches of heavy snow, use a roof rake to safely clear the edges from the ground or call a professional. Your home’s structure will thank you!

01/07/2026

Common points of entry into the house include crawl spaces, cracked walls, floors and wall joints, sump pumps and spaces around plumbing, duct work, and wiring in walls/floors.
Stop by the Environmental Health division during January to pick up your free test kit!