“It’s wild how fast things can go sideways if you’re not keeping tabs.”
That’s the truth. I’ve had my share of surprises—last year, a raccoon managed to wedge itself behind some old paneling after a storm. Took ages to figure out where the smell was coming from. Out of curiosity, do you keep any kind of checklist for your post-storm inspections, or just go by instinct? I find a list helps, but maybe that’s just me being overly cautious with an older place.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about things going sideways.
I wouldn’t call that overly cautious. Older homes hide all sorts of surprises—cracks, leaks, critters. I use a checklist for the big stuff: windows, doors, basement corners. But honestly, sometimes I just go by smell or what looks off. Instinct kicks in after a while, but a list definitely keeps me from missing the obvious.“I find a list helps, but maybe that’s just me being overly cautious with an older place.”
“sometimes I just go by smell or what looks off. Instinct kicks in after a while, but a list definitely keeps me from missing the obvious.”
That’s fair—instinct helps, but I’ve missed stuff before by relying on it too much. Lists catch things you’d never think to check, especially with storm shelters. Moisture in corners, weird drafts...those little details matter more than people realize.
Funny you mention the “weird drafts”—I thought I was being paranoid when I checked for those, but turns out there was a tiny gap near the hatch that I’d never have noticed without a checklist.
I’m usually a big fan of just winging it, but after missing a slow leak once, I’m all about the checklists now. Instinct’s good, but my memory definitely isn’t perfect.“Moisture in corners, weird drafts...those little details matter more than people realize.”
Title: Finally Got Our Storm Shelter Checked Out And Passed With Flying Colors
Funny how those tiny gaps can sneak up on you. I’ve seen folks swear up and down their shelter was airtight, only to find a draft coming from a spot you’d never think to check—usually right where two materials meet, or around a hinge. That’s why I’m a checklist convert too. It’s not just about memory, it’s about catching the stuff you’d never expect.
One thing I always tell people: don’t just look for obvious leaks or drafts. Run your hand along every seam, especially after a big temperature swing. Sometimes you’ll feel a faint cool spot that’s easy to miss otherwise. And if you’ve got a concrete floor, check for any discoloration or that musty smell in the corners. Even a little moisture can mean trouble down the line.
I used to think I could just “eyeball” it, but after patching up a client’s shelter three times because of a stubborn leak, I started using a flashlight and a notepad every single time. It’s wild how much you catch when you slow down and actually go step by step. I’m not saying instinct isn’t useful—sometimes you just know something’s off—but it’s amazing how much slips through the cracks (literally) when you’re in a hurry.
One trick I picked up: close yourself inside with the lights off and have someone shine a flashlight around the hatch and seams from outside. If you see even a pinprick of light, there’s a gap. It’s low-tech but works better than most fancy gadgets.
Anyway, congrats on passing inspection. It’s a good feeling knowing you’ve covered all the bases, even the ones you didn’t know existed.
