Home hazard library
Some findings are about safety, some about money, and some just need watching. Each entry explains the hazard, the California rules that apply, and what the next step is.
- Carbon monoxide safetyCalifornia's carbon monoxide alarm requirements, where alarms go, which appliances produce CO, and what inspectors check.
- Smoke alarmsCalifornia smoke alarm rules for sale and rental, where alarms belong, the 10-year sealed battery requirement, and what inspectors check.
- Mold in homesWhat a home inspector can and can't tell you about mold, when to test, how big a problem is too big to clean yourself, and why moisture is the real issue.
- Asbestos in homesWhere asbestos is found in older homes, why intact material is usually left alone, and how testing and abatement work in California.
- Aluminum wiringWhy single-strand aluminum branch wiring from the 1960s and 1970s is a fire concern, how to identify it, and which repairs the CPSC recognizes.
- Pool and spa safetyCalifornia's pool safety law, the drowning prevention features inspectors look for, and how pool equipment is evaluated.
- Gas appliance safetyGas leaks, connectors, venting, sediment traps and seismic shutoff valves, explained the way a home inspector looks at them.
- Garage door and opener safetyHow inspectors test automatic garage door reversal, photo eyes and springs, and why garage-to-house fire separation matters.
- Earthquake safetyEarthquake weaknesses inspectors look for in California homes, from water heater straps to foundation bolting, plus disclosure rules and retrofit grants.
- Sewer camera inspectionsWhy buyers of older homes order a sewer lateral camera inspection, what it finds, and what repairs typically involve.
- Unlicensed contractors and unpermitted workHow to spot unpermitted work during an inspection, verify a California contractor's license, and avoid the most common home improvement scams.
- Product recall checksHow to check appliances, electrical devices and fixtures in a home against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls.
- RadonWhat radon is, how testing works, the EPA action level, and how much of a concern it is in Southern California compared with other regions.
- Lead-based paintLead paint rules for homes built before 1978, buyer disclosure rights, lead-safe renovation, and what inspectors note.
- Termites and wood-destroying organismsHow California termite reports work, the difference between Section 1 and Section 2 findings, and the drywood and subterranean termites common in Southern California.
- Wildfire home hardeningHow embers ignite homes, defensible space zones, ember-resistant vents and roofs, and what buyers in California fire hazard zones should check.