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.
by CFBIBlog | Aug 24, 2022 | CFBI Blog
Around one-third of houses for sale are new home construction builds, which appeal to many buyers. After all, new home builds offer various benefits, but they do not come without risks. So, how can you guarantee you find a dream home you can depend on?
The benefits of new home construction include convenience, energy efficiency, customizable options, and usually less maintenance. However, benefits such as low maintenance should not be taken for granted. It is essential to have a new construction home inspection to check everything is in order and keep you safe in your new home.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about a new build inspection.
What Is a New Construction Home Inspection?
A home inspection is when a third-party expert evaluates your new home, checking its structure, systems, and other factors that determine its quality. They produce a home inspection report highlighting any construction issues or other factors that need to be resolved before you move in. These inspections are essential to avoid hazards, safety risks, and costly problems later.
Common New Home Construction Issues
While a new home can provide quality, issues can still arise, which is why new build inspections occur. For example, there can be poor quality construction, which leads to structural defects such as cracking, unstable foundations, or insufficient framing.
There can also be leak risks, electrical issues, or plumbing issues in new homes. Some homes even are incomplete, with missing parts or a lack of insulation.
Home Inspection Types
There are different types of new build inspections to check your home is ready for you. It is best to have all of these inspections if possible. These include:
- Foundation inspection
- Pre-drywall inspection
- Final inspection
- 11-month builder warranty inspection
These home inspections cover different stages of the home build process. The foundation inspection occurs just after the foundation is laid to check it is durable and long-lasting, without issues such as poor grading.
The pre-drywall inspection happens are your roof and windows are installed to check for any issues that would later be hidden behind the walls. The final assessment is once the building is complete. Inspectors will advise if the home meets local building codes and is safe, so you can move in.
Benefits of a Home Building Inspection
Moving homes is often considered one of life’s most stressful events. However, you can reduce added stress and costly issues by ensuring your home is safe before you move in. Inspectors know what to look for in your new home to meet local compliance rules and quality standards, so you can move in with peace of mind.
Ready for Your New Build Inspection?
There are many reasons why a new home inspection is important; however, many people overlook them when it comes to new home construction. It is a huge investment to purchase a home, so invest in a new construction home inspection to ensure it is a home built to last. Be sure to pick a reputable Orlando Florida home inspector for a reliable report.
Are you looking for a quality home building inspection in Central Florida? CFBI is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your home inspection options.
by cfbi1 | Aug 20, 2022 | CFBI Blog
A double tapped breaker is found when there are two supply wires placed under one breaker lug or connection. This is found typically in the electrical sub panel breaker box and also can be found at the main breaker. Someone has purposefully installed an extra circuit into one that is only supposed to have one going to it.
Why would someone double tap a breaker?
Essentially, someone is trying to make the installation of a new circuit, oftentimes when people add an extra piece of equipment, but don’t have the space to install a new breaker in the panel. So, they end up taking the wire for the new equipment and jamming it into an already existing breaker. This will overload this breaker and will put your building at risk for fire or damage.
What is wrong with a double tapped breaker circuit?
Majority of the breakers found inside electrical panels are only rated by the manufacturer for accepting one wire. If the wire is loose or the load is too much for any breaker, a resulting fire can occur. Picture an air conditioning (AC) unit that requires a 50 amp breaker for the installation. Now the homeowner decides to install a hot tub but takes its wire and puts it into the 50 amp AC breaker that already has a wire going into it. You now have 2 high powered devices drawing energy from one underrated circuit and a fire could result.
How do I fix a double tapped breaker?
There are a few ways to fix this issue. Some are more costly than others, however. We always recommend consulting with a licensed electrician before making any repairs.
- Option 1: Have an electrician install a tandem breaker. These can oftentimes fit in an existing spot on the breaker panel and contain two separate circuit lugs for the two wires.
- Option 2: Have an electrician install a breaker that can accommodate two wires. These are not as common but are easily available and will be safer than double tapping a breaker. There is a special designation symbol on the front of the breaker that shows two wires are allowed.
- Option 3: Add another breaker to the panel. However, if no room exists in the current breaker panel, a new panel would have to be installed. This would be the most expensive option and would require the skills of a licensed electrician.
by CFBIBlog | Jun 6, 2022 | CFBI Blog
Home construction is expected to boom this year. New housing starts in March were 6.8% higher than the previous month. As you try to make sure that you don’t miss your construction targets, be sure to avoid new construction inspection mistakes.
Whether you are inspecting new homes for the first time or just want to improve the process, read on to learn five mistakes to avoid.
1. Hiring the Cheapest Inspector
When hiring a home inspector, it’s easy to think about going cheap. You should never settle on the cheapest inspector you find. Try finding someone who offers the best value for a fair price.
Remember, you are already investing a lot of money in your home. Don’t throw that investment away by failing to find the right inspector. You can save future headaches by doing it right the first time around.
Read reviews and testimonials and ask about the inspector’s experience and credentials.
2. Forgoing Additional Tests
An inspector will often ask for a specialist to evaluate a potential problem. Maybe mold was found or there is a need for a roofing expert.
Don’t ignore these recommendations. Hiring a specialist is often not as expensive as you think. It can take minimal time to schedule and should be an important part of your checklist.
3. Disregarding the Report
Inspecting new homes is only one part of the process. You will also need to take the report seriously. Once the home is inspected, you will receive a report. Listen carefully to what the inspector tells you.
New homeowners sometimes make the error of just skimming over a report instead of reading it through.
4. Forgetting to Have a Final Inspection After Repairs
Once you have addressed the issues you should have another inspection. People sometimes skip this step. It is important to understand if the repairs were done correctly.
Sometimes, you may find that the issues were not fixed. A second inspection protects you and the potential seller.
5. Not Being Present for the Inspection
Don’t be tempted to skip out on the inspection. It’s not enough to just read the inspection report later.
Nothing beats being present for an inspection. Hearing the inspector’s comments can help greatly. Not everything is always written down as part of the home inspection process.
Inspections can take upward of three hours. Be sure that you are there for at least the end so you can speak with the inspector directly. You may catch small bits of advice that aren’t listed on the home inspection report.
Learn More Tips on Avoiding New Construction Inspection Mistakes
Following these five tips can help you avoid potentially costly new construction inspection mistakes. A successful inspection process can give you peace of mind.
Are you looking for a trusted home inspector in the Central Florida area? Call our office today. You can also leave us an online message and a member of our team will respond promptly.
