by CFBIBlog | Jan 27, 2023 | CFBI Blog
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!
by CFBIBlog | Dec 29, 2022 | CFBI Blog
Owning a home is an investment. You have to protect your home so that it increases in value.
One way to do so is by maintaining it. This calls for more than just giving the interior a fresh coat of paint. You must inspect your home.
A home inspection is a great way to identify issues. You should never skip one, as doing so can risk your home and investment.
It’s a good idea to inspect your home often. How often should you be inspecting your home? Read on to learn more.
What Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an assessment of a property. The home inspector will perform an objective visual examination of the physical structure.
The inspector will also examine the house’s systems. These include heating, cooling, and plumbing systems. The house’s foundation and roof are also a significant part of the inspection.
Explained: How a Home Inspection Works
On average, an inspection can take from 2.5 to 4 hours. The size of your home will determine how long the inspection will take.
The inspector will evaluate the conditions of the property using state-of-the-art technology. Once the inspection is complete, the homeowner will receive a report. The report will outline the findings.
How Often Should You Schedule a Home Inspection
New construction inspections are a must. An inspector will inspect the structure and every primary subsystem. The goal is to ensure that the building process is up to acceptable standards.
This type of inspection will help to identify defects. The inspection report will go over recommendations that you should follow.
You need to schedule a one-year builder warranty inspection. This is important as most home builders offer a warranty on their new houses. Should any issues be found during the inspection, the home builders will have to address them before the end of the warranty.
You should inspect your home if you plan to obtain a new homeowners insurance policy. Most homeowners insurance companies also require an inspection for policy renewal. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard without a policy.
A four-point insurance inspection is ideal for this process. This type of inspection focuses on the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems. The roof is also part of this inspection.
Consider scheduling a home inspection after a severe storm. Strong winds can cause significant roof damage. You want peace of mind knowing that your roof is in good condition.
Don’t Wait: It’s Time to Inspect Your Home
Scheduling a home inspection is one of the best things you can do to protect your home. As you read, there are several occasions when you should inspect your home. Don’t put it off, as doing so can worsen issues that you might not be aware of.
Ready to experience these home inspection benefits? Contact us now to schedule a home inspection.
by CFBIBlog | Dec 3, 2022 | CFBI Blog
The EPA reports that household water leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water each year. As well as all the money you waste on water that you never use, the economic impact of water damage can be huge. If you have a damaged sewer, you face the risk of foundation problems and even sinkholes emerging. If you suspect you’ve got an issue, you need to get a sewer scope inspection. But what are they, and when are they necessary?
Read on for everything you need to know in our sewer scope inspections guide.
What is a Sewer Scope Inspection?
Every property connects to city sewers, an HOA tap, or a septic tank via a lateral sewer line. This line is out of sight and frequently out of mind. Unfortunately, it’s easy for many of us to forget it’s even there when either maintaining our homes or thinking about purchasing a home.
The problem is that these sewers are susceptible to:
- Clogs and blockages
- Backflow
- Cracking
Some telltale signs include strong sewer smells in the home, damp spots on the lawn, or at its worst, contamination of your drinking water. This could expose your family to potentially deadly germs, including Cryptosporidium, Legionella, and Salmonella.
During a sewer scope inspection, the inspector will run a camera along the length of the sewer. They will examine the entire length of the sewer, looking for any signs of blockages or damage. They’ll then prepare a report advising you on how to fix any issues.
When to Get a Sewer Scope Inspection
Every homeowner should schedule routine sewer scope inspections as part of their regular maintenance program. This is especially true in the following instances:
- Older property
- Damp patches on the lawn
- Increase in rodent activity
- Large trees that could damage sewers with their roots
Homes built before 1984 commonly had clay sewer pipes. They’re more susceptible to damage, so they require regular inspection.
Essential for Homebuyers
No homebuyer wants to start paying for structural repairs as soon as they move into a home. But the only way to be sure that the sewer line is in good condition. If you purchase a plumbing scope inspection, check that it includes a sewer scope inspection.
The report will either set your mind at rest or allow you to make some informed decisions. You could use it to ask the seller to pay for the cost of repairs.
Ready for a Sewer Scope Inspection?
This guide for sewer scope inspections has shown that they can save you a lot of frustration and expense down the line. They can help you spot and fix problems early before they do serious damage. They can also help you to make an informed decision about a property purchase.
At Central Florida Building Inspectors Inc., we’re proud to offer high-quality sewer scope inspections. In some cases, they’ve saved Florida homeowners thousands of dollars!
Call us today at 407-658-8297 or schedule a sewer scope inspection online today!
by CFBIBlog | Nov 28, 2022 | CFBI Blog
According to the Census Bureau, roughly 18 million Americans were military veterans in 2018. This figure accounted for roughly 7% of the adult population.
Americans find several ways to express their gratitude for veterans, and this appreciation extends to the federal government. For this reason, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several loans to help veterans purchase a home.
A VA loan comes with two primary benefits. First, the borrower rarely needs a down payment.
Second, there are no private mortgage insurance requirements. However, the property must pass a VA inspection, which includes the VA water test.
If you’re unfamiliar with these tests, don’t worry! We’ll explore four essential facts in this guide.
1. What Does a VA Water Test Look For?
The primary concern in a VA water test is ensuring the property has safe drinking water. However, the VA has no specific requirements for water tests. As such, these tests aren’t looking for any specific contaminants.
Instead, water tests must ensure that the water on your property meets local health requirements. Usually, this means your water cannot contain the following:
- lead
- coliform
- nitrites
- nitrates
Some locales lack a local health authority. In these cases, your home must meet state standards or provisions set by the EPA.
2. How Long Will Your Test Results Remain Valid?
The VA does not conduct your water test itself. Instead, a local health authority will test your water and verify if the sample passes inspection.
If so, you can report this information to the VA. You will have 90 days from the time health officials conduct the test to do so.
What happens if you don’t make the 90-day deadline? Generally, you can request another test to ensure the water meets the requirements. However, this can prolong the loan approval process.
3. What About a VA Well Water Test?
Some locations may receive their water from well sources. In general, these fall into two categories:
Private wells require a water test conducted by local authorities. These follow the standard requirements laid out previously.
Shared wells have a few more requirements beyond standard water test requirements. The well must also support each property within its network with safe water.
Likewise, this well must include a permanent easement that allows access for maintenance and repairs. However, if the water comes from a spring or cistern, it only must pass a water test.
4. Who Pays for Water Tests
VA lenders must ensure the water test passes examination before closing the loan. Often, veterans pay for these tests out of pocket. However, they can also ask for reimbursement from the lender afterward.
Find a Quality Well Water Testing Agency
The VA water test is crucial in getting a VA loan for homebuyers. However, you may not know where to get a reliable inspection for the loan.
Many Central Florida residents turn to us for this task. Our company offers well water quality testing for homeowners and buyers. Contact today to schedule an appointment!
by CFBIBlog | Sep 26, 2022 | CFBI Blog
Getting ready to buy a house? If so, here’s a quick tip: make sure your home inspection includes checking out the sewage system.
See, plumbing is one of those things that most buyers expect to work as intended. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. A simple sewer scope may reveal issues that could set you back thousands of dollars.
Not sure what kind of problems we’re talking about? If so, here’s a list of four things that will tank any home’s value.
1. Root Intrusion
Root intrusion is a classic example of a sewer pipe issue that gets much worse with time. Tree roots are naturally attracted to the moisture in sewer pipes. To them, sewage often serves as a fertilizer.
When these roots start growing around—or into—the line, they can cause severe clogs. And unlike most debris, tree roots aren’t easy to snake out. As the root grows, it can cause the pipe to break or even burst.
Unless the owner plants the trees strategically, root intrusion is hard to prevent. That said, a sewer camera inspection will at least make it easy to detect the exact spots where roots have entered the pipes.
2. Poor Pipe Health
Are you buying a home that’s over 20 years old? If so, that’s all the more reason to schedule a residential inspection. Many older homes have outdated piping materials that are prone to cracking.
Even if the home isn’t that old, a sewer scope can reveal all kinds of pipe issues. These include misplaced pipes or accumulated gunk from things like soap scum, cooking grease, and so on.
3. Line Breaks
Sewer line breaks can be hard to detect until it’s too late. Once it happens, it will likely affect your entire plumbing system. Sinks won’t drain, toilets won’t work, and you may even have sewage leaking under your house.
Root intrusion is a common cause of line breaks, but it’s far from the only one. For example, a simple soil shift can force pipes to shift along with it. On top of line breaks, this can cause serious structural issues.
The bottom line: line breaks are something you should identify quickly. Even if there’s no evidence of sewage issues, you’ll want to ensure there won’t be any in the future. A sewer scope is the best way to achieve that.
4. Random Blockages
Not long ago, the only way to find a clog in sewer lines was to dig a trench on your lawn. The excavation process was expensive and labor-intensive. Plus, it took a while before your landscaping recovered from it.
These days, a sewer inspection will identify any blockages without destroying your yard. It’s all done by attaching a high-tech camera to a long, flexible cable and sending it into your sewer system.
Scheduling a Sewer Scope
Remember: the cost of a single inspection is trivial compared to what it will cost to repair a sewer line. As such, a sewer inspection can do a lot for your peace of mind before buying a house.
Want to add a sewer scope to your home inspection checklist? Our specialist inspectors can take care of it for you! Contact us here to schedule a sewer scope or learn more about our services.
by cfbi1 | Aug 29, 2022 | CFBI Blog
What is a GFCI Outlet?
A GFCI outlet is a special type of safety outlet that will protect people from electrical shock. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. They are inexpensive and easy to install and are required by the NEC or National Electrical Code. Why are these outlets so important?
Why are GFCI Outlets Important?
GFCI outlets are very important because they prevent electrocution. They are a fast-acting system designed to turn off electrical power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40 of a second. The GFCI breaker compares the amount of current going to and returning from equipment along the circuit conductors and will immediately cut off the power if there is a disruption.
Where do GFCI Outlets Belong?
Per the National Electric Code, GFCI outlets belong in all damp or wet locations such as but not limited to:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Outdoors
- Garage
- Utility rooms
- Laundry rooms
- Crawlspaces
- Basements
- Wetbars
- Pool and spas
How Do I Test a GFCI?
GFCI outlets have a special test button on the front of the outlet. Once pressed, the button will pop out and the power should be turned off at the receptacle. To engage the outlet, the other button, typically labeled reset, will need to be pressed. GFCIs are also found at the actual breaker panel in some homes and the process is a little different. There is still a button on the breaker which will cause the breaker to trip or move. The breaker oftentimes will need to be reset by moving the breaker all the way off and then pushed back to the on position. The regular checking of these devices is recommended and could save someone’s life.
Can I Install a GFCI Myself
Typically, we always recommend having an electrician perform this type of work. However, if the individual is handy enough, this is a relatively easy project for your do-it-yourselfer. Always ensure the power going to the outlet has been turned off at the breaker panel and verified with an electrical tester. Items you will need:
- New GFCI outlet & cover
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flashlight
- Electrical outlet wiring tester (to ensure proper wiring configuration)
We hope you have found this blog post helpful regarding GFCIs and their benefits and uses. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to learn more about GFCIs and your home.
