Closer Look Inspections, Inc.

A  common and concerning issue we encounter during inspections is wood rot. It is sometimes hidden beneath fresh paint, behind trim boards, or under the eaves — quietly compromising the integrity of a home’s structure. To the untrained eye, wood rot might look like a small cosmetic flaw. But in reality, it’s a significant warning sign of ongoing moisture intrusion and potential structural damage. With our  humidity and rain nearly year-round, understanding what wood rot is, how it develops, and how it can affect your home is essential for both current and prospective homeowners. In this article, we’ll explain what wood rot is, why it’s a serious issue, how it impacts homebuyers, and why being informed about it can give buyers an important advantage.. What Is Wood Rot? Wood rot is a form of decay that occurs when wood becomes damp for prolonged periods, allowing fungi to feed on the organic compounds that give wood its strength and structure. Simply put, wood rot is what happen...

  We’ve seen our fair share of surprises in attics — from uninsulated ductwork to makeshift dryer vents blowing warm, moist air right under the roof. It might seem harmless to let a little conditioned air or exhaust vent into the attic, but the reality is far different. Venting your air conditioning, heating, or dryer into the attic can lead to costly damage, hidden safety hazards, and long-term issues that affect both the comfort and structural integrity of your home. In this article, we’ll explain why venting into the attic is a bad idea, what problems it can cause, what can be done to fix or prevent it, and why understanding this issue is so important — especially for homebuyers in Florida. Understanding the Role of the Attic Before we dive into the risks, it’s important to understand what your attic’s role is in your home’s overall structure. In Florida, attics are designed primarily as thermal buffers — spaces that separate the hot outdoor roof surface from the cooled, conditi...