The average age of a home in the state of Florida is 34 years old.
Whether you are selling or buying a home or renewing your home insurance on an older home, chances are you will need a 4-point inspection in the near future. In some cases, an upcoming 4-point inspection may be stressful, so it’s important to be prepared.
One way you can do this is by being aware of common reasons that 4-point inspections fail and how to spot the issues. This information will help you avoid unpleasant and expensive surprises.
Keep reading to find out about the most common reasons 4-point inspections fail.
What Is a 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-point inspection examines 4 major home systems: plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and roof. The purpose of the inspection is to give details about the condition of a building for insurance purposes.
4-point inspections are a highly effective way for insurance companies to mitigate risk, they don’t take long to conduct, and they don’t cost much. You should get regular inspections on your home to catch problems before they cause major damage.
Full inspections are even more comprehensive and will include doors and windows, drainage, and exterior conditions, among other things. For most insurance purposes, a 4-point inspection is enough.
Common Reasons 4-Point Inspections Fail
Most 4-point home inspection failures come from a handful of problems. Here are some of the most common ones.
An Aging or Leaking Roof
Roof problems develop over time, so they often are a reason for a 4-point inspection failure on older homes.
Inspectors will be looking for leaks and water spots, and missing or broken tiles or shingles. The age of the roof, the roofing material and the life expectancy of the current roof will all factor in.
Electrical and Wiring Problems
There is a range of things inspectors will look for when inspecting your home’s electrical system. Some of these include:
- Defective electrical boxes (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Sylvania, among others)
- Double-tapped breakers
- Live knob-and-tube wiring
- Open electrical splices or unprotected cables
- Amperage too low for electrical loads
- Screw-in type fuses
- Newer electric receptacles connected to old wires
Poor or Non-Existent HVAC
HVACs are important to maintain air quality, ventilation, and the right temperatures throughout the home. Inspectors will be looking at the type of installed HVAC system and if it is functioning properly.
Window air conditioning units and space heaters are not considered installed units.
Old or Leaking Water Heater
Plumbing problems, when left untreated, can lead to big home repairs. In a 4-point inspection, various water sources will be checked. Among these are:
- Aging Water Heater
- Plumbing leaks
- Mold undetected by the homeowner
- Plumbing that is corroded or damaged
- Galvanized steel or polybutylene plumbing
- Washing machine drain hose that is damaged, deteriorated, or unsecured
4-Point Inspections
4-point inspections are an effective way of giving your insurance company a complete picture of the condition of your home. Inspection failures often come from plumbing, electrical, roof, and HVAC problems, so it’s important to be aware of the common issues.
Our team of certified and experienced home inspectors at Central Florida Building Inspectors offers commercial and residential inspection services. We provide you with accurate and trustworthy service, working with you to uncover all of your property issues. Contact us to schedule an inspection today!
