Checkout

Checkout

Do New Homes Need To Be Inspected?

Home inspections are a crucial part of most real estate transactions. The purpose of the home inspection is to identify any hidden defects that may affect the value of the home or the buyer’s enjoyment of their new home. While inspections on existing homes have historically been extremely common, new construction home inspections are rapidly increasing in popularity.

Do brand new homes need to be inspected? It depends on who you ask. Most builders reassure their buyers that between their on-site inspections and the municipal code inspections, an independent inspection isn’t needed. Many real estate agents agree and do not encourage buyers to have their own inspections performed.

On the other side of the coin, there are many home inspectors, real estate agents, recent new home buyers, and even builders who recommend having a private home inspector take a look at the home.

Why would a builder recommend having a home inspector check their work? Homes are constructed by people and people make mistakes. Some builders do not look favorably on having their work inspected by a critical third party, while others are grateful to have another set of eyes on the project to help them ensure a quality home.

Many of the defects typically uncovered during new home inspections are cosmetic, but many others are far more serious and will ultimately affect both the longevity of the home and the buyer’s enjoyment of the home. Minor drywall, paint and tile repairs are uncovered during most final inspections, however we have also uncovered field-modified roof trusses, major plumbing leaks, defective concrete slabs, improperly installed windows & doors, improperly insulated & ventilated homes, and much more!

The report for this newly constructed home included many of the most common defects found in new homes, and a few that were a little more serious. There is no such thing as a perfect home, but buyers of new construction homes are often paying a premium price to get as close to this goal as possible. This is where having the home inspected really benefits the buyer.

Buyers of new homes typically want to take occupancy of the home with little or no work needed on their part, unlike many other buyers who stretch their budget by purchasing a home that needs renovating. No one wants to discover “honey-do” items just weeks or months after moving into a brand new home. Having the home inspected helps keep these items to a minimum. This is also a bonus for the builder’s warranty department in reducing the number of warranty claims that they need to process.

While the final inspection is the most important for newly constructed homes, many buyers choose to have their homes inspected throughout the construction process. These are known as in-progress construction inspections. Each inspection is designed to catch defects in construction that would not be visible during the final inspection.

Pre-Slab Electrical and Plumbing Rough-In Inspection: We will verify proper vapor barrier, steel reinforcement, as well as electrical and plumbing stub-out locations and workmanship. A strong home starts with a strong foundation.

Post-Block Inspection: Once the slab is poured and the concrete block (or wood frame) is erected, we will verify the workmanship and advise on any corrections that would improve the longevity of the home, such as sealing cracks.

Dry-In Inspection: Once the building envelope is complete, we will verify the installation of the roof system, windows and doors. We will also monitor the condition of the slab and walls to catch any defects (like cracks or other damage) that can occur during construction.

Pre-Drywall Inspection: Just prior to the installation of drywall, we will verify all aspects of the home that will become inaccessible once the drywall is installed, particularly the insulation.

Another advantage to buying a brand new home is the warranty. Most builders offer a 1 year warranty on the home, some as many as 10 years. The builder is responsible for correcting most things that go wrong in the home over the warranty period. Many new home buyers opt to have the home re-inspected just prior to the warranty expiration to ensure that any hidden defects in the home are corrected before the warranty runs out.

Have questions about your new home project or new home inspections in general? Call our office at 941-749-1152 and our friendly, knowledgeable staff will put our experience to work for you and answer any questions you may have.

Our website, www.ManateeHomeInspection.com has tons of information about home inspections and home maintenance to help you make the most of your new home.

Is Defective (Chinese) Drywall Still A Problem?

Most people have some knowledge of the Defective (Chinese) Drywall epidemic that swept across Florida and the southeast U.S. during the construction boom between 2004 and 2007. An estimated 250,000 tons of defective drywall was imported during this time and put into homes all over the state. There are a variety of contaminants that can enter a home that both reduce the life expectancy of the home and adversely affect the indoor air quality, but defective drywall is one of the worst.

What makes the drywall “defective”?

Chinese drywall is manufactured using unrefined “fly ash”, a coal residue found in smokestacks, that was used as a filler. The fly ash contains a compound called strontium sulfide, a toxic substance commonly found in fireworks. In a warm, moist environment, like Florida, the substance can off-gas into hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide, all of which are considered contaminants.

What hazards does defective drywall pose to the home?

The corrosive sulfur compounds given off by the defective drywall mainly affect the home’s plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical systems, all of which are largely made of copper. Once these systems start to deteriorate, major issues such as leaks, blowing breakers, and even fires are common results. Remediating homes with defective drywall often includes removing not only the drywall, but the entire plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical systems as well. Major appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washers/dryers, and dishwashers are also affected and usually need to be replaced. This hefty cost is most often not covered by insurance, leaving many homeowners to suffer bad health and failing systems or cover the cost themselves, usually tens of thousands of dollars.

What hazards does defective drywall pose to the home’s occupants?

Aside from the risk of fire and water damage, the sulfur compounds that the drywall gives off are also toxic to humans and animals and can lead to sore throat, sinus irritation, coughing, wheezing, headache, dry/burning eyes, and/or respiratory infections. Those who already have respiratory ailments, such as COPD, asthma, allergies, chronic bronchitis, or chronic sinus infections, or the elderly and small children, are more adversely affected than others.

How can you tell if a home has defective drywall?

There are currently no government or industry standards for inspecting for defective drywall. There are currently no agencies that offer certification in this form of inspection. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) has assembled the following tips that inspectors can use to identify if a home’s drywall is contaminated:

• The house has a strong sulfur smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs
• Exposed copper wiring and plumbing appears dark and corroded. Silver jewelry and silverware can become similarly corroded and discolored after several months of exposure. The coil in the air handler is also a great place to check for contamination since it is largely copper.
• A manufacturer’s label on the back of the drywall can be used to link it with manufacturers that are known to have used contaminated materials. One way to look for this is to enter the attic and remove some of the insulation.
• Drywall samples can be sent to a lab to be tested for dangerous levels of sulfur. This is the best testing method, but it is expensive.

Is defective drywall still a concern to potential home buyers?

Most of the new homes built during 2004 to 2007 have already been assessed by the builder as part of the initial defective drywall recall. The homes most likely to still have defective drywall are homes that were built during this period that were not built as part of a subdivision and homes that had renovations done during this period. On average, we inspect 3 to 4 homes per year that are verified to have defective drywall, and in most cases the seller is completely unaware. As the housing market continues to bounce back, it is expected that several more contaminated homes will be found that are just entering the market.

If you are thinking about purchasing a home built or remodeled between 2004 and 2007, there are a couple of things you can look for during the walk-through that are fairly good indicators of defective drywall contamination – and no previous home inspection experience or tools are required.

•          A strong sulfur smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs, is a pretty good indicator of contamination. Not all affected homes have this smell, so it is not the most reliable method of indicating contamination. Some people may experience difficulty in breathing upon entering the home.
•       The exposed copper water supply lines coming out of the top of the water heater or under the kitchen sink will be blackened in a contaminated home.

If you suspect that your home or soon-to-be home has defective drywall, we can certainly help you to know for sure. Defective Drywall Inspections are $150 by themselves, or discounted to $50 with any full inspection. Please feel free to call us at 941-749-1152 or visit our full service website at www.manateehomeinspection.com for more information or to schedule your appointment.

Step-By-Step Electrical Repairs Guide

Electrical defects are a commonly found during most full and Four Point inspections. In addition to being a hazard to your home, your insurance company may not allow you to insure or renew your insurance on your home. This guide is designed to inform you, as a homeowner, what these hazards are and how to get them repaired.

Step 1: Identify the Hazard Present

There are a variety of hazards commonly found in electrical panels. Below are the most common hazards and why they need to be addressed.

Double-Taps: This is when two or more wires are secured to a screw that is only designed to hold one wire. Each wire must be under its own screw with the exception of two bare copper wires of the same diameter that are smaller than a #10 wire on the neutral buss bar. These repairs are typically only take around 15 minutes and little to no parts. If the double tap is on a breaker (Hot Wire) and you have no more slots available for additional breakers, Tandem Breakers or Square-D QO-style breakers may be an option, both are designed to hold more than one wire. We also sometimes see a whole-home surge protector, installed by the electrical company, double-tapped on the main service line. These surge protectors must be on their own dedicated breaker. Insurance companies will not provide coverage to homes with double taps of any kind and will require all double-tapped wires to be relocated.

Out-Dated Fuse Panel: Fuse panels began being phased-out in 1976 for the more practical modern circuit breaker panels. Not only do circuit breaker panels typically handle more electrical load than fuse panels, but the breakers do not need to be replaced if tripped like fuses do. Many people, when faced with a constantly tripping fuse, will insert a penny into the fuse base to stop the tripping. This does not allow your fuse panel to protect you if there is an issue in your electrical system. Insurance companies in Florida do not provide coverage to homes with fuse panels and will require it to be replaced with a modern circuit breaker panel.

Stab-Lok Brand Electrical Panel: Stab-Lok panels began appearing in homes in the 1970’s up to the early 1990’s. It was discovered in 1983 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that the various components of these panels have a 40% to 60% failure rate, but it was decided that a recall would be too costly due to the number of panels on the market. The main hazard is that even when in the “OFF” position, the breakers do not cut off power to their circuit. It’s almost like having no circuit breaker protection at all, and can cause serious issues if you need to make any electrical repairs in the home. Insurance companies in Florida will not provide coverage to homes with Stab-Lok brand panels and will require it to be replaced with a modern circuit breaker panel.

Zinsco Brand Electrical Panel: Zinsco panels are another brand of panel that began appearing in the 1970’s but was later deemed hazardous. The breakers in Zinsco panels have been known to melt and fail, meaning that power to that circuit cannot be turned off if needed. Insurance companies in Florida will not provide coverage to homes with Zinsco brand panels and will require it to be replaced with a modern circuit breaker panel.

Aluminum Wiring: Single-strand aluminum wiring has been considered out-dated since 1976. Aluminum is a very poor conductor of electricity, often causing the wire to become brittle at the connections. Brittle wires can lead to overheating or fire. Larger aluminum multi-strand wires are okay if they are used for the main service line or to a major appliance only, although some of our clients have reported difficulties obtaining insurance with certain carriers because of the aluminum multi-strand wire. Insurance companies in Florida will not provide coverage to homes with single-strand aluminum wire present. There are two main methods of remediation: 1.) Crimp Connectors: a special metal fitting is crimped on to every aluminum wire connection in every junction box in the home. There are an average of 100 to 200 junction boxes in the average home, and the average cost is $32 to $64 per junction box. 2.) Remove all single-strand aluminum wiring and replace it with copper wires. Your insurance company will most likely require receipts to verify that the remediation is complete.

Missing Components: It is common for us to inspect panels that are missing their inside cover or have breaker knock-outs missing from the inside cover. These covers are designed to prevent any objects (or people) from accidentally coming in contact with live wires. Replacement parts for most panels can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes.

Exposed Wiring: The wiring coming in and out of the top (or bottom) of the panel should be covered to prevent damage. A simple wood or metal box called a chase can be constructed to fit over and protect the wires.

Step 2: Have Repairs Made by a Licensed Electrician

Once you have identified the type of repairs that you need, hire a licensed electrician to do the repairs for you. These types of repairs are better left to professionals due to the nature of electricity and the various codes surrounding electrical work. These codes change and it is important to have an electrician who is current with both electrical codes and Florida insurance requirements.

We recommend Shane Johnson at Johnson Electric who can be reached at 941-812-6835 and Phil Bellmore at Bellmore Electric who can be reached at 941-779-6148.

Step 3: Have Your Repairs Documented

If you are submitting a Four Point form to your insurance company, you will be required to show that your electrical system, among other things, is in good working order with no defects to mention. You can call us to come re-inspect your electrical panel for $50. You can also take clear digital photos of the repairs yourself to save the cost of the re-inspection fee.

If you need more information about home inspections, preparing for inspections, or preparing your home for sale, visit our full-service website at www.ManateeHomeInspection.com or call us at 941-749-1152 to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Hurricane Season 2014 - Are You Prepared?

  

Hurricane Season 2014 is well underway. With the arrival of the first storm of the season, we want to make sure our clients are prepared for what may come this season. Being prepared for a storm will greatly affect the impact on your household in the event that a storm does hit our area. Below is a list of things that every Floridian can do to prepare themselves and their home for a major storm emergency.

  

Make sure your home is ready. Window and door protection is a major component in protecting your entire home. If a window or door is compromised, wind entering the home causes uplift, which could potentially blow the roof off of the structure. Replacing the windows with impact glass is the preferred method, but a variety of shutter options are available at every budget.

Hurricane clips or straps in your attic also dramatically reduce the risk of structural damage. If an opening is compromised, these metal connectors will ensure that your roof stays firmly attached to your walls. If your home does not have them, they can be installed for a few hundred dollars over a weekend. Any storm-mitigating features like shutters or hurricane clips/straps can also reduce your insurance premiums with a Wind Mitigation Inspection.

Food and Water – Stock at least 2 weeks of non-perishable food and water for each member of your household, including pets. After a major storm, it can take days or weeks to restore power in heavily damaged areas. Dehydrated food that is typically used for camping rations is a great choice as it can sometimes last for several storm seasons before it expires.

Super-chlorinate your pool, don’t drain it! – Draining an in-ground pool or spa all of the way could seriously damage it. If a storm is on the way and flooding is your concern, drain your pool a maximum of 6” to alleviate these concerns. Adding extra chlorine to your pool before a storm allows you to use the pool water as a source of potable water in the event of damage to public water lines. The extra chlorine will also prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the standing water. If you have an above-ground spa, add extra chlorine and cover the spa. The cover will protect your water supply and covers are very inexpensive to replace if damaged.

Practice Generator Safety – First, make sure that your generator is appropriately sized for the appliances that you intend to run off of it. Some generators are large enough to power most of your home, while others are just large enough to power a few small appliances. Most generators are available for $300 to $4,000 depending on the size. You can even have a generator permanently installed to your home for $12,000 - $20,000, depending on your needs. Do not attempt to permanently install a generator yourself, it requires the installation of a transfer switch, which must be installed by an electrician to prevent sending power back up the line.

Make sure that any extension cords that you are using are for outdoor use and are appropriately sized to handle the load. Make sure that the generator is at least 10 feet away from the home. Exhaust fumes can enter the home through soffits and windows. Never run a generator on a porch or in a garage, even if the door is open, because carbon monoxide, a toxic odorless and colorless gas, is a by-product of generator use. Install carbon monoxide detectors in each sleeping area to protect your family from this silent killer.

Your generator will need to be protected from rain by a small roof or other covering that does not touch the generator or trap exhaust fumes. When plugging in appliances, always start with the largest loads first, like a refrigerator or air conditioner. Never attempt to re-fuel your generator while it is running as a fire could occur.  

Make sure that you have made shelter arrangements, for you and your pets. – Storms can pick up intensity very quickly, often changing plans to ride out the storm at home. Which shelters are open depends largely on each emergency and how many people it will affect. It is a good idea to identify at least 3 shelters in your area since not all of them may be open in an emergency. Many animals are displaced during storms because their owners could not take them to the shelter with them. Pet-friendly shelters do exist, and most take up to 4 caged domestic animals. There are only 3 pet-friendly shelters in Manatee County, they are:

Braden River High School – 6545 SR 70 East, Bradenton

Manatee High School – 1000 32^nd Street West, Bradenton

Mills Elementary School – 7200 69^th Street East, Palmetto

The items that you will need for each of your pets are:

·        Copies of licensing, microchip and vaccination records

·        Two weeks supply of any medications they require and a list of any medical conditions/allergies

·        Two weeks supply of food and a manual can-opener (if you use canned food)

·        Kitty litter (not just for cats, great if an animal throws up for instance) and litter box with cleaning supplies

·        Tag, leash and harness

·        A picture of you with your pet to prove it is yours

·        Portable carrier/crate with food and water dishes that attach to it

·        Pet first aid kit

When leaving for the shelter, there are many things that you and your family will need for your stay. Each family member should have an “Emergency Bag” labeled with their name and filled with the following:

·        A change of clothes

·        A flashlight with an extra set of batteries

·        Travel size toiletries – mouthwash, deodorant, hand sanitizer, body spray, etc. Showering is not typically an option at most shelters, bring what you need to meet your hygiene needs and prevent the spread of germs.

·        Two bottles of water

·        A poncho

·        A roll of duct tape

·        A whistle

·        A small battery-operated radio with extra batteries

·        Granola bars or other portable, non-perishable foods that do not require cooking. Meal times are structured at shelters, and you may become hungry long before meals are served. MRE’s, ready-to-eat meals used frequently by the military and campers, come as a complete meal with their own means of cooking that do not require power, just water. Apple sauce that comes in a pouch is tasty, convenient, keeps for months, and great for kids who may balk at other options.

·        A copy of the person’s birth certificate and identification

·        First aid kit

·        A least a week’s supply of any required medications, two weeks is preferred. Put these in a zip-lock bag with a list of that family member’s known medical conditions and allergies.

·        For children: also include names and cell phone numbers for parents, grandparents, and close family friends in case they get separated. Make sure your child knows where this information is in their bag. Also include crayons and a coloring book to help keep them entertained while you wait for the storm to pass.

If you need more information about wind mitigation and hurricane preparedness, home inspections, preparing for inspections, or preparing your home for sale, visit our full-service website at www.ManateeHomeInspection.com or call us at 941-749-1152 to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Are You Getting The RIGHT Inspection For Your Condo?

Homes come in every size and shape conceivable, sometimes leading to questions about what type of home inspection is really needed. Condos, villas and townhomes are often confused when ordering home inspections, making it difficult for your home inspector to provide you with the right type of inspection to fit your needs.

While there are many types of homes that may be part of a condominium association, a true condo consists of several one-story living units in a building that may be several stories tall. These true condos resemble an apartment, will always have at least one door exposed to the weather, and only receive an interior-only inspection as the entire exterior is the responsibility of the condo association and not the owner. Interior-only inspections are offered at a reduced rate from our regular full inspection services.

Villas come in many forms, but will always be a one-story building. Some villas may stand alone, while others may be attached to several other units. These are often referred to as duplexes, triplexes and quadroplexes, depending on the number of units per building. For the purpose of a home inspection, any of these multi-family buildings would be considered a villa if the building is one story and part of a condo association. Some associations are responsible for the exterior of the home, meaning that the owner is only responsible for the interior of the unit and needs an interior-only inspection. Other associations require the owner to maintain the exterior, meaning that the owner would need to have a full inspection, which is priced the same as a single family home.  Sometimes the roof is the only item on the exterior of the home that the owner is responsible for. Other times, the roof is the only exterior item that the owner is not responsible for.

Townhomes are very similar to villas in many respects, but are always two or more stories. Many townhomes will have a garage on the ground floor, with one or two living floors above. If there are two living floors above the garage, it is considered a three story townhome. If a garage is present, we must inspect it since the electric panel, water heater, and sometimes HVAC equipment are typically found in this area. Even if none of the previously mentioned equipment is present in the garage area, it still must be inspected to ensure that the rest of the home would not face potential hazards from conditions existing in the garage.

Be sure to ask your agent and/or association manager to confirm exactly what you are responsible for. If you need help identifying what type of inspection you need, please call us at 941-749-1152. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are glad to help you find the right inspection to fit your needs. Please visit our website at www.manateehomeinspection.com for detailed pricing on all of the services mentioned above.

Need A Commercial Inspection? We Can Help!

Manatee Home Inspection Services, LLC (MHIS) has been delivering superior home inspection services in the Manatee/Sarasota area since 1999. Did you know that we are also experienced commercial building inspectors?

Inspecting commercial buildings is a lot different than inspecting a home. Since our first commercial inspection of a mini-mall in 2004, we have continued to expand our knowledge about commercial buildings to deliver a superior commercial inspection experience that will exceed your client’s expectations.

Most commercial inspection reports that we have seen from the few other companies that do them contain a lot of disclaimers, a lot of boiler-plate text, and not very many pictures. Our inspection reports include not only the important defects, but the minor ones as well, with pictures of each defect and a narrative explaining the defect. Our goal is to provide the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand report possible, so that your client knows exactly what they are investing in.

Each commercial inspection is different, and different levels of inspection are available. Call us at 941-749-1152 or email us to receive a FREE quote on your commercial project.