Need a 4 point inspection in Pinellas County? We can help!
Asper Inspection Services provides 4 point insurance inspections throughout all of Tampa Bay, including, but not limited to, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, New Port Richey and beyond. We are qualified to fill out all electrical, roof, shutter and roof tie down inspection forms supplied by any insurance company. As of September 30, 2012, “all inspection forms must be inspected and completed by a verifiable Florida-licensed professional. Without a verifiable, certified inspector’s dated signature, the form will not be accepted. The following FLORIDA-LICENSED individuals may complete a 4-Point Inspection for Citizens in its entirety:
• A general, residential, or building contractor
• A building code inspector
• A registered architect
• A home inspector
• A professional engineer
• A building code official who is authorized by the State of Florida to verify building code compliance
While the four point insurance inspections were started by Citizens, they have quickly spread to most, if not all of the insurance companies that provide coverage in Florida.
What is a 4 point inspection?
Insurance company statistics show that homes more than 30-years old have more claims than newer homes. Plus the claims are often due to a deteriorated condition of older building components. So, as a loss-prevention measure, many insurance companies now require an inspection of key home components of an older home before they will issue a policy–to see if they are in serviceable condition or have been replaced/upgraded since the home was built.
There are a few companies out there that will write insurance on an older home without a 4-point inspection. The four points are: 1) roof, 2) plumbing (including water heater), 3) electrical, and 4) heating/air conditioning system. Recently, one insurance company has started requiring the inspection of a 5th point: windows. Because the inspection is provided for the benefit of the insurance company, not you, it only covers the areas they are concerned about. It is not a full home inspection and should not be relied upon to determine the condition of a home you are considering buying. In essence, it is an abbreviated inspection of the key components of a home which, if they fail, will likely lead to an insurance claim.
Each insurer has their own standards, and what one company accepts may be required to be repaired or replaced by another company. So there are no set standards, but certain deficiencies almost all insurance companies require to be repaired. Here’s our “Top 10” list:
1) A roof with any leaks at all, or an older roof, typically over 15-years old for a 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, for example. An estimated additional roof life of 5-years is the usual standard for a roof to be acceptable.
2) An electric panel with screw-in type fuses.
3) Newer 3-slot type electric receptacles connected to old wiring that does not have grounding.
4) An older water heater, typically more than about 20-years old.
5) Lack of an installed heating system. Window a/c units or plug-in portable heaters are not considered “installed.”
6) Any evidence of plumbing leaks or other water intrusion into the home, even previous ones.
7) Older knob-and-tube wiring that’s still “live.”
8) Exposed, amateur electrical wiring, especially open electrical splices.
9) Deteriorated, damaged, or unvented plumbing piping.
10) Deteriorated washing machine hoses.
We at Asper Inspection are more than qualified to do these reports as we hold licenses as residential contractors and home inspectors. 4 point inspections are quickly becoming required for all new insurance and insurance renewals can often save you hundreds on your insurance bill. Give us a call to schedule yours today!
Looking to buy a house with an energy-efficient roof ?? Some needs to know…..
“Cool” Energy-Efficient Roofs
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
Cool roofs, also known as reflective roofs, are roof surfaces designed to reflect radiation from the sun, reducing heat transfer into the building.
How do they differ from conventional roofing products?
Unlike most North American asphalt roofs, cool roofs are specially engineered to reflect much of the sun’s radiant energy back into space instead of transferring it as heat into the building below. The two basic characteristics that determine the performance of a cool roof are solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Both properties are rated on a scale from 0 to 1, where 1 is the most reflective or emissive. Although there is no industry-wide definition of a cool roof, the EPA’s Energy Star Roof Products Program has established a minimum standard, requiring that cool roof products have an initial reflectance of at least 0.65, and a reflectance of at least 0.5 after three years of weathering. By contrast, conventional asphalt roofs have a reflectivity of between 0.06 and 0.26, resulting in large amounts of heat transfer into the building’s interior.
The use of cool roof products offers the following benefits:
- increased lifetime of roofing materials. Cool roofs do not experience thermal cycling as much as conventional roofs. Thermal cycling can deteriorate the bond between shingles and asphalt, potentially causing premature failure;
- energy savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, some reflective roof products can lower roof surface temperature by up to 100 degrees and can reduce peak cooling demand by as much as 15%. Cool roofs may result in increased heating costs during the winter, but this increase is greatly outweighed by the cooling energy savings achieved during summer;
- reduction of the “heat island” effect. This is the tendency for metropolitan areas to be warmer than their surroundings due to the use of building materials that retain heat. Studies have shown that this phenomenon increases the risk of death during heatwaves and decreases air quality by increasing the production of pollutants, such as ozone;
- lower peak electrical demand. The maximum energy load an electric utility experiences in order to supply customers instantaneously, which generally occurs in late afternoons during summer as businesses and residences turn up their air conditioners, is reduced by the implementation of reflective roofs; and
- utility rebates, in some areas. Generally, utilities pay back a certain percentage — usually about $0.20 per dollar — after installation and documentation. Their motivation for these incentives is to reduce the intensity and likelihood of blackouts and brownouts.
Cool Roof Product Types
InterNACHI believes that products generally fall into a few categories: single-ply materials, and coatings. Single-ply materials are large sheets of pre-made roofing that are mechanically fastened over the existing roof, and then sealed at the seams. Coatings are applied using sprays, rollers or brushes over an existing clean, leak-free roof surface. “Cool” versions of asphalt shingles are also available.
These products include:
- Coatings: Roof coatings can be divided into two categories: field-applied and factory-applied. Field-applied coatings are applied directly onto the roof surface, either on a new roof assembly or over an existing roof surface (and can be applied over the top of just about anything, as long as the correct coating is selected). Factory-applied coatings are applied during the manufacturing process. Examples of factory-applied coatings include coatings applied to metal, and glazes that are applied to tiles.
- Single-Ply: Single-ply roofing is laid down in a single layer over a low or steep-sloped roof. The single-ply membrane can be loose-laid and weighted down with ballast or pavers, or firmly set on the roof and attached with mechanical fasteners or adhesives. Single-ply thermoplastic is a flexible sheet membrane which consists of compounded plastic polymers. When heat is applied onto the surface, the single-ply thermoplastic seams are melded together, making the material seamless and effective. Most thermoplastics are manufactured to include a reinforcement layer, such as polyester or fiberglass, for additional durability and strength. There are various types of single-ply thermoplastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). PVC tends to be more expensive than TPO, but PVC is well-known for long-term performance and is naturally fire-retardant. TPO is a blend of polymers that can contain flame-retardants or UV absorbers.
- Asphalt Shingles: Although a challenging technical issue, some manufacturers have created dark-colored asphalt shingles that look almost identical to conventional shingles, yet they qualify as cool roof products. They accomplish this feat through the use of engineered pigments that reflect high amounts of invisible wavelengths, namely, infrared.
In summary, cool roofs are coatings and sheets that are applied to roofs to make them reflect the sun in order to keep building’s interior cooler and more energy-efficient, which is especially important during summer months and in warmer climates.
From “Cool” Energy-Efficient Roofs – InterNACHI http://www.nachi.org/cool-roofs.htm#ixzz32AdnyR4O
Florida Wind Mitigation Inspection
Wind mitigation is the implementation of certain building techniques in order to limit damage caused by intense wind.
A Few Facts About Windstorms and Wind Insurance 
•In 2006, Citizens Insurance, one of the largest property insurers in Florida, requested a 45% rate increase for wind insurance. Other insurers took similar actions.
•In Florida, the portion of a homeowner’s premium covering wind damage can be up to 70% of the total, depending on location.
•Wind mitigation benefits homeowners, private insurers, and all levels of government.
Incentives for Wind Mitigation
•In some states, homeowners can benefit from reduced insurance premiums. The Gulf Coast states, which are most prone to windstorm damage from hurricanes, have each considered mandating incentives to mitigate damage due to wind. Mississippi and Texas currently do not have such legislation, although Florida has been successful. Following Hurricane Andrew, Florida passed a law requiring insurance companies to offer their customers discounts and credits for existing building features and home improvements that reduce damage and loss from wind. In order to qualify for this discount, homes must undergo a certified home wind inspection. However, many Floridians do not know of this law.
•Those with windstorm insurance can avoid a costly deductible. Deductibles for homes in hurricane-prone areas can exceed $20,000, meaning that mild to moderate wind damage might not be covered by insurance at all. If proper wind mitigation techniques have been used, these expenses can be avoided altogether.
•Wind mitigation helps protect the home from damage. Even if a home is insured, it is always costly when a house is damaged, both for the homeowner and the insurer. Repairs can take months, especially during material shortages that follow massive destruction to entire communities, as was the case after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana.
•Lenders in Florida require homeowners to carry windstorm insurance in order to be approved for a mortgage. Insurers may not provide windstorm insurance to homes that are vulnerable to wind damage.
Checklist for Wind Mitigation Techniques:
•garage doors: These commonly fail during windstorms due to:
◦inadequate door-track strength and mounting systems; and
◦flimsy metal panels.
The following features can protect a garage door from wind damage: ◦no windows;
◦the tracks for the door that have six to nine mounting brackets, or continuous mounting;
◦track brackets that are securely attached to the wall; and
◦horizontal and/or vertical reinforcement on all panels. 
•opening protection: Glass doors and windows should be replaced with impact-resistant glass. They should be structurally attached to the building in order to prevent the entire window from popping out of its frame. Sliding glass doors are especially vulnerable to flying debris due to their large expanse. Once an opening is created during a windstorm, the pressure within the house can rise high enough to cause the roof to fail in areas of low pressure. The picture to the right demonstrates how these areas of low pressure can form.
•roof covering: There are many kinds of roof covering materials, and some resist wind damage better than others. The most common roof covering materials in Florida are composition shingles and tiles. A key factor in roof covering performance is the method of attachment of the roof covering material to the roof deck. Nails, not staples, should be used to fasten these materials.
•roof shape: “Roof shape” refers to the geometry of the roof, rather than the type of roof covering. The end-walls of gable roofs extend vertically to the sloping roofline. These gable end-walls, if not properly built or braced, have been known to fail outward due to the negative suctions on the wall. Additionally, field testing has shown that hip roofs receive up to 40% less pressure from wind than gable roofs.
•roof deck attachment: According to insurance claim data, a house becomes a major loss once the roof deck fails, even partially. The most common roof deck types are plywood and OSB. The most important feature of the roof deck by far is the attachment to the framing compared to the deck’s thickness. The following building techniques can help prevent wind damage:
◦roof coverings using shingles that meet the FBC requirements;
◦roof decks that have been installed with large nails and close spacing;
◦hurricane clips/straps that hold the roof structure to the walls; and
◦protection of windows and glass doors with impact-resistant glazing or other protection systems.
•roof-to-wall connections: This connection is a critical safeguard that keeps the roof attached to the building and acts to transfer the uplift loads into the vertical walls. This connection is crucial to the performance of the building due to the large negative pressures acting on the roof. Proper installation is essential to connector performance.
•secondary water resistance: This is a layer of protection that shields the home in the event that the roof covering fails. It will reduce leakage if the shingles are blown off. A secondary water barrier is relatively rare in homes. The two most common types are:
◦self-adhering modified bitumen underlayment, which is applied to the exterior of all joints; and
◦foam seal, which is sprayed onto the underside of the decking.
In 2009, InterNACHI developed an online, video wind mitigation course for inspectors. The course is approved by most insurance companies and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board.
In summary, wind mitigation is a strategy designed to limit the amount of wind damage inflicted on a structure. Various incentives are in place to motivate homeowners to implement these enhancements, and qualified inspectors can determine which improvements are necessary.
From Wind Mitigation – Int’l Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) http://www.nachi.org/wind-mitigation.htm#ixzz2zGIP4Iza
Foreclosure Home Inspections
Foreclosure Inspections: Trust Your Gut
So, you want to buy a house cheap, and you look to the foreclosure market. Considering the over-abundance of these properties and just how little many of them are going for, it’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon and buy up. And it may pay off as a long-term investment. But, like any other major purchase, you should know as much as you can about a property before you buy it, which is why home inspections, performed by licensed home inspectors, are necessary.
Unfortunately, many real estate agents, who don’t like bargaining with banks, are advising clients that home inspections are of no value as a bargaining tool, since banks don’t negotiate on “as is” properties. As an added disincentive, banks selling properties “as is” have no legal responsibility for any lurking defects. While the agent’s advice to forgo a home inspection as a means to negotiate on the price may be logical, it is startlingly counter-intuitive, and possibly even negligent. Would you buy a car without knowing whether it has a transmission? The same premise holds true for a house, regardless of whether you intend to live in it, or fix it and flip it. The Realtor may be trying to salvage a deal that could possibly be scrapped if an inspector uncovers damage that the bank is unwilling to pay for, and you, as the buyer, have to realize that the agent’s advice is not in your best interest.
Any Realtor advising against a home inspection on a foreclosure (or neglecting to recommend that one be performed) is ignoring the likelihood that, long before the previous owners stopped making mortgage payments, they deferred required maintenance tasks. Moisture intrusion leading to leaks and mold are just a few of the major problems commonly found by home inspectors in foreclosed properties. Tales abound of bizarre discoveries in abandoned properties, from wild boars to colossal bees nests. Former owners may loot their own properties, taking with them anything they can pry up or unscrew, and leave behind trash and junk that you have to pay for to have removed.
There are also stories of foreclosed properties that have been intentionally vandalized by their former owners in acts of retaliation against their banks. In one infamous case in early 2010, an Ohioan bulldozed his $250,000 home after the IRS placed liens on his carpet store, and then threatened to take his house. The damage done by the owner was apparent, but there are probably less extreme situations where the damage isn’t as obvious, making a home inspection of utmost priority.
You should always get a home inspection before buying a property, especially when you’re buying a bank-owned foreclosure. In such cases, it may be impossible to find out how well the home was cared for, or whether major damage was done right before the past owners left the property. Ask the bank how much time you have after your initial offer to have an inspection performed, and schedule one immediately. If it goes well, you’ll enter into the deal with peace of mind and a better idea of what repairs you’ll have to deal with. That alone is worth the price of an inspection. If the home inspection reveals a costly disaster, you can back out of the deal and save tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
We have handled hundreds of foreclosure home inspections here at ACS and look forward to handling your’s for you as well.
It’s important to use a Florida Licensed Home Inspector
It’s Important to Use a Florida Licensed Home Inspector!!
Here at Asper Inspections our head Inspector, Jeff McGill, is not only a licensed home inspector, he is also a licensed plumbing, roofing and residential contractor. All his knowledge is for your benefit! We have had numerous clients tell us about inspectors they have been referred to that were either not state licensed or were not actual licensed Home Inspectors. Never a good thing when you are making such an important purchase! For that reason we wanted provide our clients with these Florida Statues to give you a little understanding of what the requirements are here in the state of Florida.
Can Certified Division 1 Contractors legally provide Home Inspection services without an Home Inspector license, i.e. Home Inspections?
Reference: Florida Statute; Title XXXII, Chapter 468
Even though Home Inspectors have been licensed since 2011, there is still have a small group of general contractors who think they are Home Inspectors and do not carry a Home Inspectors license.
What are they saying?
Basically they are saying that the Construction Industry Licensing Board decided that Home Inspection services is included in their “authorized scope of practice” and they are exempt from the entire Home Inspector Law (Florida Statute; Title XXXII, Chapter 468).
Below is the one and only section they are using for justification:
468.831 Exemptions
The following persons are not required to comply with any provision of this part:
(2) A person acting within his or her authorized scope of practice as licensed under federal, state, or local codes or statutes, except when such person holds himself or herself out for hire to the public as a “certified home inspector,” “registered home inspector,” “licensed home inspector,” “home inspector,” “professional home inspector,” or any combination thereof stating or implying licensure under this part.
So, if the contractor can perform Home Inspections without an HI license on the assumption that they are acting within the “authorized scope of practice” for contractors, then none of the Home Inspector statutory requirements (chapter 468) apply to them. The contractors came to this assumption by way of the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). A board made up of contractors.
So, what do the other sections of the Home inspection licensing law or statute say?
468.83 Home inspection services licensing program; purpose
(1) There is created within the department the home inspection services licensing program.
(2) The Legislature recognizes that there is a need to require the licensing of home inspectors and to ensure that consumers of home inspection services can rely on the competence of home inspectors, as determined by educational and experience requirements and testing. Therefore, the Legislature deems it necessary in the interest of the public welfare to regulate home inspectors in this state.
468.8313 Examinations
(1) A person desiring to be licensed as a home inspector must apply to the department after he or she satisfies the examination requirements of this part.
(2) An applicant may practice in this state as a home inspector if he or she passes the required examination, is of good moral character, and completes a course of study of at least 120 hours that covers all of the following components of a home: structure, electrical system, HVAC system, roof covering, plumbing system, interior components, exterior components, and site conditions that affect the structure.
(3) The department shall review and approve courses of study in home inspection.
Now, you have read some of the Home Inspector statutory requirements we hope you feel even better with your decision to work with Asper Inspections! We look forward to helping your future home dreams come true.
What to Expect with a Home Inspection
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. After your home inspection is performed, you will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written home inspection report, a checklist, photographs, and what the home inspector himself says during the inspection. All this, combined with the seller’s disclosure and what you notice yourself, makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your home inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies for various systems and components, and minor imperfections. These are useful to know about. However, the issues that really matter on your home inspection will fall into four categories:
- major defects, such as a structural failure;
- things that lead to major defects, such as a small roof-flashing leak, for example;
- things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home; and
- safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electrical panel.
Anything in these categories found in your home inspection should be addressed. Often, a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during a home inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the home inspection report. No home is perfect, so keep things in perspective and do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller’s disclosure, or nit-picky items.
Welcome to ACS Inspections, a Quality Florida Home Inspector!
Welcome to the blog of ACS Inspections, a quality Florida home inspector performing inspections in the Tampa Bay area including Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
We have been lucky to have so many amazing clients over the years, and those clients have saved thousands of dollars on their insurance premiums. We hope to be able to share some tips and tricks with you in this blog to help you become one of them as we show you how a simple home inspection can translate into big insurance savings.
Talk to you soon!