What Is an Anti-Vortex Pool Drain? An anti-vortex pool drain is a specially designed drain cover used in swimming pools and spas to reduce suction force and prevent dangerous entrapment incidents. Unlike older flat or domed drain covers, anti-vortex designs disrupt the formation of a whirlpool, significantly reducing the risk of a swimmer being held underwater by suction. These drains are now considered a critical life-safety component in residential and commercial pools. W

Electrical receptacles may look simple, but when they’re wired incorrectly, they can create serious safety hazards. During Las Vegas home inspections , miswired outlets are a common finding , especially in older homes or properties with DIY electrical work. Understanding the most common types of receptacle wiring issues helps homeowners and buyers recognize risks and take appropriate action. What Does “Miswired Receptacle” Mean? A miswired receptacle is an outlet with electr

Garages are one of the most common areas where residential fires begin. Because of this risk, homes are designed with firewalls and fire-resistant barriers to help slow the spread of fire from the garage into the living space. During Las Vegas home inspections , compromised or improperly modified garage firewalls are frequently noted as a safety concern . What Is a Garage Firewall? A garage firewall (often called a fire-resistant separation wall) is the wall-and-ceiling ass

Homes with swimming pools offer great enjoyment, especially in Las Vegas — but they also come with serious safety responsibilities. One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of accidental pool access is through door and window safety alarms . During Las Vegas home inspections , missing or non-functioning pool access alarms are a widespread safety concern , particularly in homes with young children. Why Pool Access Safety Alarms Are So Important Drowning accidents can

Kitec plumbing is one of the most important factors to consider when buying or owning a home built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While it was once marketed as a modern alternative to copper, Kitec has since developed a reputation for premature failure and costly water damage . During Las Vegas home inspections , the presence of visible Kitec plumbing is always documented so buyers can make informed decisions. What Is Kitec Plumbing? Kitec plumbing is a type of composite

Garage doors are one of the heaviest moving components in a home, which is why modern garage door systems include photoelectric safety eyes . During Las Vegas Absolute Home Inspections , missing, misaligned, or disabled safety eyes are a very common safety deficiency . Understanding how these sensors work — and why they matter — can help homeowners keep their families safe and avoid inspection issues. What Are Photoelectric (Photo-Sonic) Safety Eyes? Photoelectric safety eyes

Polybutylene plumbing — often referred to as PB piping — is one of the most important materials to understand when buying or owning an older home in Las Vegas. While once considered innovative, PB piping has since become known for its long-term reliability issues. During Las Vegas home inspections , the presence of polybutylene piping is always documented so buyers can make informed decisions. What Is Polybutylene (PB) Piping? Polybutylene piping was widely used in residenti

The door between your garage and your home plays a critical role in fire safety. During Las Vegas home inspections , one of the most common safety deficiencies found is a missing, altered, or non-compliant fire-rated door between the garage and living space. Understanding why these doors are required — and what makes a door fire-rated — can help homeowners better protect their families. Why Fire-Rated Doors Are Required Between the Garage and Home A large percentage of resid

Gas appliances like water heaters and furnaces rely on clean, unobstructed gas flow to operate safely and efficiently. One minor but essential component designed to protect these appliances is the gas sediment trap . During Las Vegas home inspections , missing or improperly installed sediment traps are a common observation — especially in older homes or systems that have been modified over time. What Is a Gas Sediment Trap? A sediment trap (sometimes called a dirt leg or dri

Water heaters are heavy appliances that can become dangerous during seismic activity if they are not properly secured. In Las Vegas homes , water heater seismic straps are a critical safety requirement and one of the most common items reviewed during a home inspection. Understanding why seismic straps are required — and how they should be installed — helps homeowners stay compliant, reduce damage risk, and improve safety. Are Water Heater Seismic Straps Required in Nevada? Y

Smoke detectors are one of the most essential life-safety devices in any home. But many Las Vegas homeowners don’t realize there are different types of smoke detectors , each designed to respond to other kinds of fires . Understanding how photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms work — and why a combination is often best — can help you make smarter safety decisions for your home and family. The Two Main Types of Smoke Detectors There are two primary types of smoke alarms c

If you own a home in Las Vegas, chances are the exterior is finished with stucco . With hundreds of thousands of stucco-clad homes across the valley, stucco cracking is one of the most common topics that comes up during home inspections. The good news? Not all stucco cracks are a big deal — but understanding which ones matter is key. What Is Stucco? Stucco is an exterior wall finish made from a mixture of: Cement Sand Lime Water It is applied wet over exterior wall material

When it comes to home safety, some of the most important protections are also the easiest to overlook. One of the most common deficiencies found during Las Vegas home inspections is the absence of an oven anti-tip bracket . This small, inexpensive device plays a critical role in protecting children and preventing serious injuries. What Is an Oven Anti-Tip Bracket? An oven anti-tip bracket is a metal bracket installed behind a freestanding oven or range . It attaches to one

Water heaters are one of the hardest-working appliances in a home. Yet, one of their most important safety components is often overlooked — the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve , commonly called a TPR valve or TPRV . Understanding what a TPR valve does and why it matters can help Las Vegas homeowners avoid serious safety hazards and costly damage. What Is a Water Heater TPR Valve? A TPR valve is a safety device installed on water-heating appliances such as: Domestic wa

Good water pressure is something most homeowners don’t think about — until something feels off. Whether it’s a weak shower after a long day or plumbing issues caused by excessive pressure, water pressure plays a significant role in comfort, plumbing health, and long-term maintenance in Las Vegas homes. This guide explains what normal residential water pressure looks like, why high pressure can be a serious issue, and when it’s time to take action. What Is Normal Residential

If you’ve ever noticed a small, oddly shaped copper pipe in your yard topped with a black plastic cap, you might have wondered what it is — and whether it’s essential. That component is called an anti-siphon valve , and it plays a critical role in protecting your home’s clean water supply , especially in Las Vegas homes with irrigation systems. What Is an Anti-Siphon Valve? An anti-siphon valve is a type of backflow prevention device commonly used on landscape irrigation sys

(Buyer & Seller Checklist) Preparing for a home inspection is one of the simplest ways to ensure the process goes smoothly and the inspection report is as complete and accurate as possible. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, or North Las Vegas , a little preparation can prevent delays and unnecessary limitations. Below is a clear checklist to help you prepare for a professional home inspection in Las Vegas . How Long Does a Home Inspe