Central Florida Home Inspector on home inspection related issues and topics. Residential Home Inspections, Four Point Insurance Inspections, Wind Mitigation Inspections, and safety concerns found in homes. Inspections from Orlando to Daytona Beach.
Now you can put our
outstanding reputation for service and reliability to work for you. When the safety of your family and new home really matter, choose the best inspector your can find. By
contracting First Choice Home Inspection, you benefit from experienced Central
Florida home inspectors that deliver computerized reports using the latest
technology.Our reporting system meets
and exceeds the state standards. We encourage your presence during the
inspection. By being present at your Winter Springs home inspection, our professional home inspector
can familiarize you with your new home and explain things to you as they progress
through the inspection.
SEMINOLE COUNTY HOME INSPECTORS
First Choice inspectors are bound to a strict code of
ethics; this ensures quality service while providing important protections. For
example, our inspectors must:
Work Exclusively for the Client
Follow Nationally Accepted Standards of Practice
Do Not Perform Repairs on Any Property Inspected
Our inspectors are AHIT and InterNachi certified in
addition, they are familiar with a wide variety of situations. We believe that
consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness,
fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what
we provide.
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
The Florida Building Code became effective on March 1, 2002
and was created by the law ratified by Florida Legislature in 1998. The Florida
Building Commission was motivated to create the first state-wide building code
after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida on August 24, 1992.
Just because we have a statewide building code now, people assume we
have always had a building code in Florida.New home buyers always ask me if the house they are buying is built to
code.As a home inspector we do not
quote code but the code in Florida is new.If you are buying a home built before 2002 the question, "Is the
home built to code?" is not relevant.
South Florida Building Code
South Florida Building Code has been around much longer. The
reason for creating the South Florida Building Code was tropical and hurricane
storm damage.Between 1900 and 1950 108
Hurricanes affected the State of Florida resulting in 3,500 deaths and property
damage that would be equal to 4.5 billion dollars in today's currency.
In South Florida, a panel was formed and they worked with
the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and other research groups to
devise wind-loading design. They created a formula for calculating anticipated
wind loads from hurricane force winds, taking into account both the wind speed
and the height above ground.Miami-Dade
County commissioners voted October 29, 1957 and the South Florida Building Code
became effective in Miami-Dade County, December 31, 1957.Broward County later adopted a modified version
of the South Florida Building Code, Dade County Edition.
Florida Building Code Background
When Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida, it exhibited a
serious statewide deficiency in home construction standards. Our antiquated
system of locally administered building codes and enforcement was inadequate. A
statewide building code and enforcement agency was needed. Compliance or
enforcement in a single county could affect homeowner insurance companies
statewide.
Andrew broke all previous records for insurance losses at
the time, and was the direct source of Florida's worst insurance catastrophe.
Florida was seriously under-insured and overexposed; insurers suddenly
comprehended that all of the worst case calculations were completely
underestimated.
Many insurers just left Florida and the ones that stayed
raised rates to staggering new levels in order to avoid the very real risk of
sudden bankruptcy following another huge storm. Homeowners all over Florida
were affected as they saw their rates rise drastically and found a lack of
available new insurance threatening to pull the plug on development in every
part of the state.
We were using the 5th Edition of the Florida Building Code
from 2014. The Effective Date for the Florida Building Code 6th Edition (2017)
is December 31, 2017.
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
What is a Radiant Barrier?Are they effective at reducing my energy bill?
We, First Choice Home Inspections, inspect a lot of hot dusty attics, some are 165° F.We
see all kinds of situations where attic insulation is insufficient,
ventilation is inadequate, and rarely find radiant barriers installed in
attics.According to the Department of
Energy Radiant Barriers work best in hot climates when used in
conjunction with sufficient insulation and ventilation.Studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10%. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system or improve effectiveness of an under rated systems.
Radiant barriers are installed in homes primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs.Radiant barriers do not reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.The barriers are comprised of a highly reflective substrate or foil that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.
Heat Transfer
Like a cool spoon in cup of coffee conducts heat
through its handle to your hand; heat travels from a warm area to a cool
area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by conduction from a hotter location within a material or assembly to a colder location. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid or air, becomes lighter and rises. When liquid or air cools, it becomes heavier and falls. Radiant heat moves from hots surfaces and is absorbed by cooler materials or air.A
car parked in the sun will absorb the radiant heat into the cars finish
and transfer the heat thru the metal into the interior where it heats
the air inside the car.
How Radiant Barriers Function
Most insulation materials work by slowing heat transfer. Radiant
barriers and reflective insulation systems are designed to reduce the
transfer radiant heat. Radiant barriers must have an air space to work. Radiant barrier are less effective when installed horizontally. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface reduces its reflective properties.
As the sun heats your roof, it makes your roof hot. The heat travels through the roofing materials to the attic side of your roof. It
radiates the increased heat energy onto the cooler attic materials, the
air conditioning ductwork and the ceiling of your home. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic.
Radiant Barriers help air conditioners cooling capacity
Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates
than in cool climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in
the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling
costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat
gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool
climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more
thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
Now you can put our
outstanding reputation for service and reliability to work for you. By
contracting First Choice Home Inspection, you benefit from experienced Central
Florida home inspectors that deliver computerized reports using the latest
technology.Our reporting system meets
and exceeds the state standards. We encourage your presence during the
inspection. By being present at the inspection, our professional home inspector
can familiarize you with the home and explain things to you as they progress
through the inspection.
SEMINOLE COUNTY HOME INSPECTORS
First Choice inspectors are bound to a strict code of
ethics; this ensures quality service while providing important protections. For
example, our inspectors must:
Work Exclusively for the Client
Follow Nationally Accepted Standards of Practice
Do Not Perform Repairs on Any Property Inspected
Our inspectors are AHIT and InterNachi certified in
addition, they are familiar with a wide variety of situations. We believe that
consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness,
fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what
we provide.
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
The most cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, increase
stability, improve comfort levels, and create a healthier interior
atmosphere is to reduce the amount of air that flows in and out of your
home. Before considering improving insulation or installing a vapor
barrier, you should take care of those drafty utility penetrations,
windows and doors. Weather stripping and caulking around doors, windows
and utility penetrations are two simple and effective techniques for
air-sealing that offer quick returns on investment. Weather stripping is
used to seal components that move, such as entry and garage doors and
operable windows. Weather strips take a lot of abuse and wear out
frequently over a home’s lifetime, check them quarterly and replace as
needed. Caulking (interior and exterior) is generally used for cracks
and openings between stationary house components like; doors, windows,
masonry cracks and ledges, utility penetrations any trim or siding
joints.
Home Air Leakage
Air leakage occurs when outside air enters and conditioned air leaves
your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. When it is cold
or gusty, an excessive amount of air may enter the house. During summer
or warmer weather, conditioned air exits the building envelope, which
can result in poor indoor air quality. Air leakage also causes moisture
problems that affect the structure’s durability and the occupants’
health. Condensation is a major contributing factor to wood rot in most
homes. An added benefit is that sealing cracks and openings decrease
drafts, cold spots, and improves comfort. It is important to seal the
fire barrier between the home and garage to reduce the chances of carbon
monoxide poisoning. Never rely on air leakage for ventilation.
Detecting Air Leaks
The best way to reduce air leakage and controlled ventilation is to have
a home inspection or energy audit performed on your home. The test, when performed
by a licensed professional, will identify air leaks, air quality and if
additional ventilation is needed. Before sealing air leaks, assess your
ventilation needs for indoor air quality.
If you are planning an extensive renovation of your home, review
techniques used for air sealing in new home construction and consider a
home energy audit to identify all the ways your home costs you money by
wasting energy. To seal air leaks, apply air sealing techniques and
materials, including caulk and weather stripping.
How to Seal Air Leaks
Common places air leaks are found:
Check the weather stripping on doors and windows.
Check caulking on doors and windows. Old,
dried and cracked caulking should be removed and replaced. There are
many types of caulking for many different applications. You should know
what type of caulk you should use before sealing those leaking windows.
Check caulking where utility penetrations
come thru exterior walls. Check plumbing, ducts, electrical wiring,
cable TV and telephone cables comes through the floors, exterior walls,
ceilings, and soffits.
Install foam gaskets on electrical outlets and switches on perimeter walls.
Dirty spots on insulation may be an
indication of air leaks and mold. Look for leaks and seal with
low-expansion spray foam. Large gaps may require the installation of
flashing.
Dirty spots on your walls, often around
electrical receptacles and switches, or ceilings by vents or light
fixtures, may indicate air leaks. Use foam gaskets or spray foam to seal
leaks.
Single-pane windows allow hot and cold air
to transfer. Double-pane low-emissivity windows are more efficient
and the cost to upgrade will be recouped in energy saving over a few
years.
Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.
Check your kitchen exhaust fan for air
leaks. Stop air leaks by upgrading the exhaust fan or cover the vent to
stop air leaks when not in use.
Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not
blocked. Lint will keep the dryer vent door from closing allowing air
to leak in and out of your home. This will save energy and may prevent a
fire.
Check the bottom door sweep and threshold
for pliability and damage. Replace damaged seals with energy efficient
pliable sealing gaskets.
Fireplace Flues, Dampers and Chimneys
Fireplaces are a major source of air outflow. Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use.
Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys,
furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials
such as sheet metal or Sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.
Check your makeup air vent damper to ensure it seals properly.
Fireplace flue damper doors are made from metal, constant heating and cooling can cause
Chimney Balloon
the doors to warp, crack or break, creating a passage for air loss.
One way to seal your flue when not in operation is an inflatable chimney
balloon. A chimney balloon is made of durable plastic and can be
reused many times. It installs easily beneath your fireplace flue and
can be removed easily. The balloon will automatically deflate within
seconds if it becomes heated, if you forget to remove the balloon before
making a fire. Balloons are available in various sizes online and in
retail shops.
Sealing air leaks will not eliminate the need for proper insulation or
radiant barriers that reduce heat flow through a home’s building
envelope.
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
It is approaching that time of year again when we will be firing
up our heaters, fire places and furnaces.Have you had your annual maintenance checkup or your fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned?These are important things to consider, but
did you forget to check your batteries in your smoke and CO alarms.Most homes have smoke alarms (detectors);
more than 33 percent of these homes are not protected because the smoke alarms
don’t work.When a smoke alarm fails to
work, it is frequently because the batteries are missing. People often remove or
disconnect batteries to prevent nuisance activation caused by bathroom steam or
cooking vapors.Was your smoke alarm on
a recall list?
Smoke and Fire
Most fire deaths occur in the middle of the night.No
smoke alarms were present or they did not operate in nearly 75% of residences
where a fire fatality occurred, according to FEMA statistics.A smoke alarm is the most valuable life saving device you can have in your home.An operable smoke alarm will reduce your
chances of dying in a fire, nearly in half.Smoke alarms are designed to detect and warn that silent, but deadly smoke
is in the air. The early warning will wake you and your family, allowing time
to escape your burning home.
At
40 percent, cooking is the leading cause of residential structure fires.
Heating causes another 14 percent. These percentages (and those that follow)
are adjusted, which proportionally spreads the unknown causes over the other 15
causes.
The
two leading causes of residential fatal fires are smoking, at 18 percent, and
other unintentional or careless actions, at 14 percent. The leading cause of
residential fires that result in injuries is cooking (26 percent), followed by
other unintentional or careless actions (11 percent) and open flame (also 11 percent).
Cooking is, by far, the leading cause of fires with property loss, at 20
percent.1
1 U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data
Center, Fire in the United States 2003-2007 Fifteenth Edition
Carbon Monoxide
People are at an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
during the winter months. Well-insulated, airtight homes and malfunctioning
heating equipment can produce dangerously high and potentially deadly
concentrations of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion,
any fuel-burning appliance, vehicle or tool that is inadequately vented or
maintained can be a potential source of carbon monoxide gas.
Examples of fuel- burning equipment include:
Fuel - furnaces and space heaters.
Propane or Gas - fireplaces, (both vented and
ventless), space heaters, ranges and ovens, clothes dryers, grills, smokers,
and deep fryers.
Wood burning fireplaces and stoves
Charcoal grills and smokers
Gasoline – automobiles, lawnmowers and power
tools
Gas fireplaces are gaining in popularity based on their low
cost, convenience and relative ease of installation.Ventless or vent free gas fireplaces are not
vented to pipes or chimneys. The burned gases including carbon monoxide are put
into the circulation of the air within your home.Based upon the health risks associated with
the use of ventless gas fireplaces, their installation is illegal in many areas
of the country.
Prevent or minimize the potential for exposure to carbon
monoxide gas.
Have your home-heating systems, fuel-burning
appliances, flues and chimneys inspected,
cleaned or schedule an annual home checkup by a qualified home inspector.
Make regular visual inspections of fuel-burning
appliances such as your gas dryer and hot water heater.
Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin or
camper.
Do not operate gasoline-powered engines
(generators, cutting saws) in confined areas such as garages or basements.
Do not idle your car inside the garage.
After a hurricane or storm, make sure vents for
the gas dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of debris and intact.
Never use gas ovens and ranges to heat your
home!
Check your Smoke and CO alarms frequently.Smoke alarms are set off by bathroom steam or
cooking vapors. Rather than take the battery out of your alarm, do the
following:
Quiet the alarm by pushing the “HUSH” button, if
equipped.
Open windows and turn on vent fans to clear the
air.
Consider relocating the alarm farther away from
the cooking area or bathroom.
Consider installing a photoelectric or combination
photoelectric/ ionization type alarm. The photoelectric and combination type
alarms are less sensitive to cooking smoke.
Causes of Christmas Fires
Cooking, heating, and open flames are the major cause of
Christmas fires, according to the US Fire Administration. This is not surprising due to holiday cooking
and the more prevalent use of home fireplaces, displays, and decorations
involving candles.The daily incidence
of candle−started fires quadruples on Christmas Day.
Opinions of a Home Inspector
Christmas is the time to spend with your family and friends,
not to worry and agonize if you will have a fire.Every Christmas the sounds of fire engine
sirens overpower my family’s holiday music.We often worry if the sirens are
for one of our friends or neighbors.You
should have all your heating and cooking equipment inspected and serviced before
your family arrives.Fireplaces should
be inspected yearly and cleaned regularly.Be aware of the placement of candles and decorations.Make sure you give your live Christmas tree
plenty of water and keep it away from candles and fire places.May your Christmas be worry free and full of
holiday cheer.
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
First Choice Home
Inspections (386) 624-3893
