Serving Oakland County:
Addison Auburn Hills Berkley Beverly Hills Bingham Farms Birmingham Bloomfield Bloomfield Hills Brandon Clarkston Clawson Commerce Farmington Farmington Hills Fenton Ferndale Franklin Village Groveland Hazel Park Highland Holly Huntington Woods Independence Keego Harbor Lake Angelus Lake Orion Lathrup Village Leonard Lyon Township Madison Heights Milford Northville Novi Oak Park Oakland Orchard Lake Ortonville Oxford Pleasant Ridge Pontiac Rochester Rochester Hills Rose Township Royal Oak South Lyon Southfield Springfield Sylvan Lake Troy Walled Lake Waterford West Bloomfield White Lake Wixom Wolverine Lake
48009 48017 48025 48030 48034 48067 48069 48070 48071 48072 48073 48075 48076 48083 48084 48098 48165 48178 48220 48237 48301 48302 48304 48306 48307 48309 48320 48322 48323 48324 48326 48327 48328 48329 48331 48334 48335 48336 48340 48341 48342 48346 48348 48350 48356 48357 48359 48360 48362 48363 48367 48370 48371 48374 48375 48377 48380 48381 48382 48383 48386 48390 48393 48442 48462

Do you have a natural wood-burning fireplace in your home? While they can be wonderfully aesthetic and even a great heat source when in use, are you aware how to close it up for energy efficiency when not in use? The side vents are great for allowing air flow in and out but that's not ideal when trying to hold heat in, simple magnetic vent covers from your local hardware store can be cut to size for easy coverage. While the large front opening is your biggest source of escaping air there's a hidden line of defense, the Damper Door. The key is to always remember to open it when ready to start a fire to give the smoke a place to go.

Looking for where to start? Home maintenance is an overwhelming task for all of us ,in an effort to help get you started we have seasonal lists available. Starting with something cleaning your appliance filters is also a great low cost way to get started.

Replacing your furnace filter, pull apart the dishwasher filter for a quick rinse, run the "tub clean cycle" on your washer, clean your dryer lint filter with water and let dry before replacing. Dishwasher models may vary some having no filter, some have easy clean filters and others like ours has many screws to remove before a proper cleaning can take place we recommend checking your specific make and model if you're not sure. Stinky sink? Cleaning your garbage disposal regularly can help and can be as easy as baking soda and vinegar, hot water and soap or ice and rock salt, for tips on cleaning your disposal go HERE.

Like most michiganders you may have a basement and if that's the case to maintain a healthy moisture level you probably have a dehumidifier, but have you cleaned its filter or collection basin? Any appliance in our home that is constantly taking on water runs the potential of storing and growing unhealthy bacteria, while we can't get every nook and cranny we can do our best with some hot water and vinegar rinses to eliminate the spread and production mold producing spores and other bacteria in so many key areas.

Have you drained your water heater, your sump pump? Did you know that its recommended for maximum efficiency to drain your water heater 1-2 times a year? hey come with an easy hose connection to run hose to your closet drain. Sump pumps contain constant moisture in an effort to keep water out of your home and a good cleaning can help improve efficiency, odors, and the health of your overall home.

Adding Window Insulation is a cost efficient way to help heat stay in your home, without disrupting your view.

Fireplace with Vent covers

Currently this page is a work in progress. Please bear with us through this process and email any suggestions for topics you want to see to my-ochi@outlook.com

View Larger Map

Oakland County Home Inspections strives to be more than your average home inspection company as we aim to educate home owners on the current condition of their home as well as how to do basic maintenance and upkeep around their home. Caring for a home can be very overwhelming so we will help break down the maintenance schedule into seasonal items. We will post links, pictures and videos showing step by step of some basic maintenance items. Topics or maintenance items that you'd like to see, email us at my-ochi@outlook.com we will do our best to respond in a timely fashion to address any inquiries.

What is considered home maintenance? Cleaning your gutters, swapping filters around your home, checking on what items may require cleaning or professional maintenance.

We understand the life of a home owner there is always maintenance but as we follow our list and checks we tackle one project at a time and save for the bigger ones. eventually that repair list shrinks. Items on our home maintenance list are not only aiming at being aesthetically pleasing, or functional, but to assist in being energy efficient and cut down on some of your home energy costs.

Home Maintenance

Blueprint for a standard fireplace highlighting the Damper door.

Pictured "D"

Clothing Washer Filter