Closer Look Inspections, Inc.

When buyers tour a home in Florida, their eyes are often drawn to the bright kitchens, open floor plans, or the lush backyard landscaping. But the details that make a property not just beautiful, but safe and structurally sound can sometimes be overlooked until you get detailed in what you are looking at.  One of the most overlooked features during a walkthrough is the deck or patio railing. Railings may appear to be a simple design feature, but in reality, they serve a critical purpose. They provide safety, define outdoor living spaces, and are often required by building codes. In Florida, where outdoor living is part of our lifestyle, railings play an even more important role. They’re constantly exposed to sun, rain, humidity, and sometimes salt air—all of which affect their durability and performance. In this article, we’ll explain what deck and patio railings are, what materials they’re commonly made of, the safety and design considerations behind them, why they matter so much ...

When inspecting homes across Florida, one detail that may go overlooked by buyers is the type of outlets installed in key areas of the property. Many people focus on bigger-ticket items like the roof, plumbing, or HVAC system—but from the standpoint of  safety, electrical outlets matter just as much. In particular, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are one of the most important electrical safety features in modern homes. During inspections, GFCI outlets should be emphasized because they save lives, protect property, and meet critical safety codes. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what GFCI outlets are, why they’re necessary, how the laws around them have changed, where you’ll typically find them in Florida homes, how to maintain them, and why every buyer should understand their value before closing on a home. What Are GFCI Outlets? GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. These outlets are designed to protect people from electrical shock by detecting irr...