by cfbi1 | Apr 9, 2017 | Home Inspection
Just as it’s important to keep up with recalls on toys, or child car seats, it’s also vitally important to know when something major on a home product has a recall. As example, in 2009*, homes built in 2004-2005 all had AFCI Breakers installed in the home. It turned out that the Square D breaker with a blue reset button was not detecting the electrical arc as it should, which is a hazard to residents.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission sent out an alert recalling that particular part. Home inspectors are given a list of safety guidelines and any product recall that are hazardous to a house. The most recent recalls posted via the CPSC website are gas fireplaces and “fireplace inserts due to explosion hazards,” another is a Dyson product recall.
As homeowner’s it is important to maintain the home, such as clear out the gutters during the year. In addition to checking for any loose shingles on the roof, walking around the home’s foundation looking for cracks, all of these are a small part of owning a home. The other part is keeping track of consumer product recalls that could be a safety risk to you and your family.
One quick way of finding out if any of the electrical wiring is not up to safety standards is to have a 4-point inspection. It is not necessary to have all the four major systems inspected, you can elect to have one of the major systems inspected instead of all of them, which saves on costs.
Too often, people get an inspection at the time of a purchase and then forget about the service. However, choosing to have a routine home inspection every five years or so assures you that your home is still safe to live in.
*Article Resource:
AFCI Breaker Recall Info
by cfbi1 | Apr 8, 2017 | Home Inspection
It is the usual time of year where homeowner’s and renter’s replace and/or check the batteries of the smoke alarms in their homes. Many just buy the 9v batteries and switch them out. In order to keep houses safe from fire it is essential to do the research on the most up-to-date info regarding smoke alarms. For instance, ASHI recommends that homes have photoelectric alarms installed over ionization alarms.
What is a Photoelectric Smoke Detector?
There are two different types of fires that can happen in a home, the first is a flaming, and the second is a smoldering fire. Typical examples of a flame-igniting fire are burning toaster, or cooking fire. Smoldering fires can happen because of a cigarette left or old wiring, this type of fires mostly produces smoke and sometime no flame.
Photoelectric detector is quicker to respond to a smoldering flame and an open flame in comparison to the ionization alarm systems. A study proved that “in smoldering-ignition fires, the probability of fatality due to failure of the alarm was 55.8% for ionization alarms vs. 4.06% for photoelectric alarms.”
Are the Smoke Alarms installed in Proper Locations?
It is important to install the detectors on every level and in sleeping areas to make sure occupants are warned in the appropriate amount of time to get out of a burning home. Try not to install them near the corners of the ceiling and walls.
Check the Date on all Alarms
Before just replacing the batteries in your current smoke alarms and then forgetting about it, check the back of the alarm for the date it was manufactured. If that date is over 10 years, it needs replacing.
Invest in Wireless & Interconnected Smoke Detectors
To keep you and your family safe from being trapped inside your home in case of fires, look into wireless and interconnected systems. This is especially important if the home is multi-level and does not have hardwired alarm system installed in the walls. Wireless alarms work in a way that if one is triggered the others are triggered too.
At Central Florida Building Inspectors, Inc. it’s a priority to keep families safe!
by cfbi1 | Aug 6, 2016 | Home Inspection
Human waste is generally a topic that people avoid, that is until something goes wrong with the septic system. There is nothing worse for a homeowner then dealing with a backed up septic system. As a homeowner, or soon-to-be-homeowner, you need to know that the maintenance of the septic is entirely up to you.
According to EPA.gov it states, “If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars.” The quickest way of knowing if the septic system is in good, working order is to have an inspection performed.
The septic system is made up of four major components that all need to work properly to maintain a productive and effective way of treatment for household wastewater. The first component is the pipe attached to the home that allows the wastewater to exit and enter the septic tank.
The second component is the septic tank, where the wastewater flows. The septic tank allows the waste to form into a sludge, and oil/grease to rise to top, and typically has screens to prevent the sludge/scum from entering into the drain field.
The drain field is the third component of the septic system. Many states are requiring homes now have a reserve drain field. The drain field is where the wastewater exits from the septic tank. If the drain field clogs or backs up, it causes flooding and waste to rise to the ground surface. It also keeps the wastewater from necessary treatment.
The last component is soil and is the final treatment of the wastewater. It is at the soil stage where treatment removes the most harmful substances like bacteria or viruses.
When should the homeowner or homeowner-to-be have the septic system inspected? If a first time homebuyer, then it is necessary that the inspection be done before signing the property contract. Once a contract is signed, then the responsibility and cost of septic problems will become the responsibility of the new owner. If a homeowner already, then the EPA recommends that in order to keep a healthy maintained system, a professional should inspect it every 3 years.
If the home has an alternative septic system that includes an electrical float switch, it needs inspection at least once a year. Overall, the septic system is one of the most important parts of a home, and should be maintained and inspected regularly. The main reason it should be inspected is because not only will it help on cost savings from replacement, it ensures that it will not cause any health risks due to working improperly.
by cfbi1 | May 29, 2016 | Home Inspection
We recently found 3 Orlando homes while performing home inspections within 2 months apart experiencing signs of corrosive Chinese Drywall issues. The first home was located in St. Cloud, Florida and had a noticeable sulfur-like smell upon entering. The listing Realtor had stated the smell was because of dried up sewer traps but this was later found to not be the case. We discovered the typical blackening of the copper piping inside both HVAC systems (air handlers) along with heavy corrosion of the copper electrical wiring throughout the home.
No actual visible stamps or markings were found but this is uncommon as most of the drywall stamping is hidden inside the wall cavities, requiring removal of the drywall for inspection.
Homes called “hybrids” are known in the industry as being built with partial domestic (non-corrosive) drywall but also with some imported (corrosive) drywall. These homes are often more difficult to detect as the amount of sulfur compounds released will be in smaller quantities.
How do you know if your home has Chinese Drywall? A professional Orlando home inspection may be the best way to determine it’s presence. If your home is built or remodeled during or after 2001 you have an increased chance of harboring this corrosive material. Here is a link to the Department of Health’s website on steps homeowners can take to make a self-assessment. If you have any suspicion or would like a thorough inspection, call CFBI today.
407-658-8267
by cfbi1 | Jul 3, 2014 | Home Inspection
It would be fair to say, those looking to buy a home do not have extra money to just “throw away”; buying a house is a massive investment that takes up most (if not all) of a person’s finances. Therefore, the average homebuyer should be working towards making the best investment decisions. They don’t want to buy a home that is rundown, with no prospects for a future sale.
Buying a rundown home can be avoided by requesting a home inspection. Buying a home is one of the biggest ventures a person can make. A home is a massive investment, and one should only purchase when they know exactly what they are getting into.
A homebuyer wants to get their monies worth; they will most certainly not want the hassle of having to get repairs fixed or having to put up with living in an unsafe house. These issues, if known about beforehand, could help in the decision not to buy the property.
Buyers looking to hire a home inspector should make sure the inspector is certified from the American Society of Home Inspectors. It is recommended buyers attend the home inspection in person. This is a great time to ask any questions and get the answers on the spot from a professional inspector.
A typical professional home inspection service can cost anything from $200 on up depending on size and age of the house. Once the inspection is complete, a full report with all details of house, digital photos, and more is presented to the buyer.
The inspector will be looking at the property for issues concerned with the roof, the heating, plumbing, crawl spaces, termite infestations, and many more aspects. Having an inspection report empowers the buyer with valuable information to make an informed decision. Having a detailed report gives the buyer an opportunity to walk away from the contract, give the seller an option to fix the repairs, or negotiate on the asking price.
A professional home inspector is trained and knows what to look for and their expertise can save a lot of money, time, and more importantly a lot of grief and hassle.
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by cfbi1 | Jul 2, 2014 | Home Inspection
You need to be aware that breathing in airborne mold spores and continual exposure to high levels of mold, can lead to the development of health problems. Even if you are not sensitive to mold spores, you can easily develop a number of allergens that can affect your breathing and cause other health concerns.
Your health is not the only thing that can be damaged, if left untreated, mold growth can also cause serious structural damage to your property, carpets, and furniture that have been in contact with it. The Centers for Disease Control advise that identifying the type of mold is unnecessary; it must be treated and removed. If left untreated, it will continue to affect the health of those living in the home.
The best way to determine the stage and the level of damage caused in your home or property due to mold is to have a mold inspection by a professional home inspection company.
It is common for people to be exposed to some form of mold each day, and in most cases, those exposed show no signs of reaction. It’s when large mold spores are present and large quantities are breathed in is when you need to be concerned. Mold can trigger asthma, in some rare cases, when the toxin levels are extremely high there have been recorded deaths.
If you are a homeowner looking to sell your property, or even if you aren’t looking to sell, it’s always good measure to check the mold presence in your home. Let a certified mold inspector evaluate and treat any issue. It’s essential for your health and your family’s well-being that any mold presence is not ignored.
If you are, in anyway worried about mold in your home, then contact a local professional home inspection company and request a mold inspection.
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