Closer Look Inspections, Inc.

When you’re buying a home in here in Florida, there’s one silent factor that can significantly impact your health, comfort, and repair costs—indoor air quality. We’ve inspected thousands of homes across and we've seen just how easily air quality issues can hide behind freshly painted walls or recently cleaned carpets. In this article, we wanted to share some actual examples of air quality problems discovered during home inspections. These aren’t just theoretical concerns—these are real issues  identified in homes that buyers were preparing to purchase. Understanding these will help you know what to look out for and what questions to ask before signing on the dotted line. Mold Behind the Walls After Hurricane Damage T he Situation: A 1980s home had been through several tropical storms. The seller had patched drywall and repainted the entire interior. Visually, everything looked great. What Was Found: A moisture meter flagged elevated moisture levels behind one wall in the master be...

When buying a home here, especially a previously owned one, most people focus on the big-ticket items: the roof, the foundation, the HVAC system, and so on. We wanted to bring up something that often gets overlooked—indoor air quality (IAQ). Air Quality is not just for your comfort, but for your long-term health and well-being. Let’s break down what air quality really means, why it’s especially significant here in Florida, and what you should keep an eye out for as a buyer. What Is Indoor Air Quality Really? Well, simply, indoor air quality refers to the condition of the air inside your home. It can be affected by various factors including: Humidity levels Presence of mold or mildew Ventilation Allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites Airborne pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paint, furniture, or cleaning products Poor air quality can lead to a variety of health issues ranging from minor irritations like headaches and fatigue to more serious conditions su...

We often find that buyers focus on a home's appearance and layout, while overlooking important components of the living environment. An example of this would be the ductwork in your home. Your duct system plays a central role in maintaining indoor comfort and air quality, especially in Florida where air conditioning runs much of the year. We thought we would focus this article on helping buyers understand how ductwork affects the overall health and efficiency of a home—and why it should be part of the inspection process you have done before making that big purchase. Ductwork Explained Ductwork refers to the system of metal or flexible tubing that distributes heated or cooled air throughout your home. These ducts connect to your HVAC system and carry air to different rooms via vents. In Florida, ductwork is especially important because of our reliance on central air conditioning for most of the year. Sounds simple really but this ductwork, along with your air conditioning system, pl...

When buying a home, here in Florida, one of the most overlooked factors is the quality of the air inside the home. Our warm, humid climate can contribute to a range of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues that affect your comfort, health, and long-term enjoyment of the property. We believe that understanding and evaluating the air quality in a home is important in making a well informed purchase and we have included information in this article to help you with what you may need to know. Common Indoor Air Quality Problems in Florida Homes Florida’s unique environment can lead to specific challenges that compromise the air inside used homes. During a home inspection, we often identify the following issues: Mold and Mildew – Due to Florida’s high humidity, mold is one of the most common IAQ concerns. It can grow in HVAC systems, behind walls, in attics, and under flooring, often undetected until it becomes a major problem. Poor Ventilation – Many older homes in Florida were built with limited...