Closer Look Inspections, Inc.

This is an exciting process and one key element will be your home inspection - this critical stage will ensure the home you’re buying is a secure investment both now and in the future. What is a Home Inspection? It is a thorough assessment by a professional inspector who will evaluate the structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems of the home. The aim is to identify any potential issues, needed repairs, or areas of concern that may affect the home’s value or living conditions. Key Components Checked During your Inspection: Structural Element s: including walls, ceilings, floors, roof, and foundation. Safety : Evaluating the functionality and safety of electrical systems, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors. Plumbing : Inspecting pipes, drains, water heater for any leaks or issues. HVAC Systems : Verifying the condition and functionality of the heating, ventilation, and AC Systems. Roofing : Assessing the age, structure, and any potential leaks or damage in the roof...

  Your comfort! Your home working at its best! Your money in your pocket! Your Ounce Of Prevention: Replace the filter on your HVAC System. Have a professional HVAC contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer to make sure it is ready for the upcoming summer. Begin prepping your lawn and garden areas for spring planting and growth. Take a look at your roof for any damage from winter storms, and make sure your gutters are clean and in good condition to handle the upcoming spring rains. We have high humidity here. Look around your home for mold and mildew growth in areas like bathrooms, kitchen, and basements.  Take a look around the exterior of your home for any damage or repairs that are needed. Pay particular attention to siding, paint, and sealants especially around windows and doors. Have a fantastic and safe rest of your week everyone! Closer Look Inspections Team *Image from Shutterstock

Living in townhomes can present unique challenges when it comes to wind mitigation, especially in areas prone to high winds and storms. This week we are including some stories about how keeping Wind Mitigation features up to date is vital for the whole complex, not just the individual townhome. Shared Roof Damage in a Townhome Complex A group of townhomes with inadequate wind mitigation suffered extensive roof damage during a hurricane. Since townhomes often share walls and roof structures, the damage was not confined to just one unit but affected several homes in the complex, leading to complex insurance claims and disputes among homeowners. Increased Insurance Premiums for the Entire Complex In a townhome community, several owners neglected to upgrade their wind mitigation features. As a result, the entire complex faced higher insurance premiums. Insurance companies often assess risk based on the overall condition of a complex, and the lack of adequate wind mitigation in several unit...

In Florida, the requirement for wind mitigation inspections for townhomes and not for condos generally comes from the differences in ownership and responsibility structures between these two types of properties. Here are some key points to understanding these differences: Ownership Structure: In a condominium, individuals own their specific units but the building's exterior, roof, and common areas are typically owned and maintained by the condo association. In townhomes, the owner usually is responsible for both the interior and exterior of the unit, including the roof. Insurance Policies: Due to this ownership structure, the insurance policies differ. Condo owners typically have a Condominium Unit Owners Insurance Policy that covers the interior of the unit and personal property inside. The condo association generally holds a separate policy for the exterior and common areas of the building. Townhome owners, on the other hand, often have a standard homeowners insurance policy th...

  Your comfort! Your home working at its best! Your money in your pocket! Your Ounce Of Prevention: Review your home insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage, particularly for flood and hurricane damage. Take a look at your Water Heater. Look for signs of leaks, rust, or other damages, and check to make sure it is functioning properly. If your home as a septic system, look at it for any signs of problems or necessary maintenance. Have a fantastic and safe rest of your week everyone! Closer Look Inspections Team *Image from Shutterstock

This week we are looking at a few real world stories of how the style of your roof can significantly impact your home’s resilience in severe weather. Gable roofs, while popular and cost-effective, can be more vulnerable to damage in high wind situations compared to hip roofs. Below are some example of stories illustrating this potential problem: Enhanced Wind Damage During a Hurricane: A homeowner in Florida had a gable-style roof. During a Category 3 hurricane, the high winds exerted immense pressure on the gable ends, leading to the roof structure becoming compromised. This resulted in significant roof damage and subsequent water intrusion. This ended up leading to mold remediation as much of the water intrusion ended up within the walls of the home. Costly Retrofitting Measures: After experiencing minor damage from a mild storm, a homeowner with a gable roof decided to take preventive measures against future incidents. They found that retrofitting their gable roof for better w...

Building a new home is full of many decisions, one of them being the type of roof your home will have. Today, let’s look into the differences between a Gable Roof and a Hip Roof and how choosing one over the other could be a game-changer for your wind mitigation insurance premiums. The Gable Roo f:  Imagine a child’s drawing of a house; that simple roof drawing is likely a gable roof. It has two slopes that meet at the top to form a triangle, with two sides covered in roofing material and the other two sides being the home’s walls. The Hip Roof: In contrast, a Hip Roof has all its four sides sloping downwards to the walls, forming a sturdy and symmetrical structure. It’s like giving your house a snug, well-fitted cap. Why Consider a Gable Roof? It’s simple and cost-effective to build and great for water runoff. However, its shape can be less stable in high winds, which will raise your wind mitigation insurance premiums. Why Consider a Hip Roof? Stability: Due to its uniform slope ...