Florida’s record-level winds and storms these past 20 years have given homeowners’ insurance carriers a run for their money. The recent passing of SB 76 is part of a significant re-regulation in support of the insurance companies. Customers must show proof of a well-maintained roof and other home features to qualify for insurance and obtain the best rates possible.

Inspection reports are more detailed than “pass or fail.” They include an itemized list of the inspection areas and information about whether it’s in good shape or needs repairs and replacement. For example, if you’re inspection report indicates you need a particular roof repair, a copy of the final report and completed repair documentation from a licensed roofing contractor will satisfy the insurance carrier.

We never recommend skipping a home inspection before purchasing a new home. We know it’s tempting, especially in today’s real estate market. However, skipping a home inspection may mean spending tens of thousands of dollars more than you would have if it turns out your home needs a new roof, HVAC system or has other expensive repair and replacement needs.

Your pre-purchase home inspection highlights major issues that need immediate attention, such as structural repairs/rot or home features that aren’t in compliance with current building codes. Rather than “missing out” on a good deal, a professional home inspection report may allow you to negotiate a far lower purchase price than your waived inspection would have.

- Clips: metal connectors that are attached to the roof truss and the wall plate. They are designed to transfer the uplift forces from the roof to the walls during high winds. Clips are typically made of galvanized steel or stainless steel and are available in various sizes, depending on the roof pitch and the spacing of the trusses. The primary advantage of clips is that they are relatively easy to install and are cost-effective.

- Single Wraps: Single wraps are metal straps that are wrapped around the truss and secured to the wall plate with nails or bolts. Single wraps are usually made of galvanized steel or stainless steel and are available in various sizes. They are designed to transfer the uplift forces from the roof to the walls during high winds. The primary advantage of single wraps is that they provide a more robust connection than clips, but they are more expensive and challenging to install.

- Double Wraps: Double wraps are metal straps that are wrapped around the truss twice and secured to the wall plate with nails or bolts. Double wraps are typically made of galvanized steel or stainless steel and are available in various sizes. They are designed to transfer the uplift forces from the roof to the walls during high winds. The primary advantage of double wraps is that they provide the most robust connection and are typically required for homes in high wind zones.

- Toenails: Toenails are nails that are angled at a 45-degree angle and are driven through the roof truss into the wall plate. Toenails are the least effective type of roof-to-wall connector and are typically only used in older homes. They do not provide adequate resistance to uplift forces during high winds and are not recommended for use in new construction. In regards to the wind mitigation form, clips or straps that do not meet the minimum qualifying requirements, are considered “toe-nails.”

Wind mitigation inspections in Florida are valid for five years. Put another way, you pay for the inspection, but it saves you money on your home insurance premium every year for five years.

You can start by adding impact rated windows and doors. This can increase savings up 1% to 5%. Having a new roof with a "SWR" installed can help you save a ton as well. However, theirs not much else you can do besides these 2 things. Everything else would require a complete new roof structure. It's important to get a wind mitigation before you buy a home because of this. Things like roof shape and roof to wall connections can not be changed easy or cheap.

This just refers to the size of the nails. For example, an 8d nail is better for discounts because they are 2.5 inch in length vs the 6d nail which is 2 inch.

Most people don't file for insurance with a wind mitigation anyways. That's why they pay a lot more then someone who has had one done and applied for those discounts. So if the house does score bad, you would probably be spending the same as you would have before having the inspection done. It never increases what you would pay it can only lower or maintain your price for insurance.

No you do not. However, A wood-destroying insect report (WDI report) is a crucial part of the home buying process here in Florida. This report determines the presence of termites or other wood-destroying insects in a given property as discerned by a home inspection company.

A Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, commonly abbreviated as WDI or WDIR, is a report that details findings from a thorough visual inspection of a home by a certified pest control company. The inspection specifically looks for signs of wood-destroying insects, especially termites, and provides professional recommendations for treatment. The standard report uses form NPMA-33 from the National Pest Management Association. A WDIR is important because you want to know the exact condition of the home that you are investing in. Getting a WDI inspection done before buying or selling a home can save thousands of dollars in potential structural damage caused by termites and other insects. In some cases, a WDI report may also be required to obtain a mortgage from the bank.

The best way to prevent termites is to fortify your home. Clear up any cracks or openings these pest may sneak into. These pests look for moist areas, so be sure to check your home for areas with moisture accumulation both around the foundation and inside your home. Make sure all water is diverted away from your home via pipes and gutters; be sure to clean them out to prevent vegetation growth. Remove any vegetation growing around vents. Additionally, keep any yard refuse like branches, tree stumps, leaves, mulch, and other things that may contain soil or wood away from the house. It is best to keep your property clean to avoid any unwanted encounters. Be vigilant; routine inspections can help keep your property protected.

Mold is a type of fungi that can grow both indoors and outdoors. There are over 100,000 types of mold, and they come in a wide variety of colors, including black, white, green, red, and orange. While most mold is not harmful, some types can produce toxins (mycotoxins) that can cause serious health problems in humans and animals.

Mold spores are everywhere - in the air, on surfaces, and in soil. When these spores land on a damp surface, they start to grow. Mold needs four things to grow: moisture, food, warmth, and oxygen. Moisture can come from many sources, including leaks, flooding, condensation, and high humidity.

Mold exposure can cause a variety of health problems, ranging from minor irritation to serious respiratory illness. Symptoms of mold exposure include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of mold exposure.

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi. They are similar in appearance and can both cause health problems. However, there are some key differences between mold and mildew. Mold is typically black or green, while mildew is white or yellow. Mold grows in damp, dark places, while mildew prefers warm, humid environments. Mold can also cause structural damage to homes and other buildings, while mildew generally does not.

Toxic black mold can be very dangerous. It has been known to cause a variety of health issues, and can even be life-threatening. Black mold can also be difficult to remove, so it's best to leave proper identification and removal to the professionals.

There are many different types of mold, and they can be found both indoors and outdoors. Some of the most common types of mold include Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys. Each type of mold has a unique appearance and can cause different health problems. It's important to be able to identify the different types of mold in order to properly address any potential health concerns

Some molds do not have a smell, while others can be quite pungent.

From the EPA: Some compounds produced by molds have strong smells and are volatile and quickly released into the air. These compounds are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). Because mVOCs often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of the "moldy odor" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A moldy odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.

Exposure to mVOCs has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. More research is needed to determine whether there are any human health effects from non-occupational indoor exposures to mVOCs.

Yes, mold can grow in the air ducts in your home. Ask your duct cleaning service provider to show you any mold or other biological contamination they find. Or, call a mold inspector to do a proper assessment of potential mold in your air ducts before your air system spreads mold spores throughout your home. A mold specialist will provide confirmation and identification of mold growth, and any mold removal recommendations.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if there is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

• Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.

• You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.

• If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy, it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.

• If the conditions causing mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur

Mold inspections identify the presence of mold, define the size of the problem - usually in square footage - and help determine the best mold removal method.

Mold testing identifies what specific type of mold is in your home and how many mold spores are in the air. However, keep in mind the following:

1. The carefully controlled conditions required to conduct a proper scientific test of mold are extremely difficult to achieve in a home. A professional mold specialist will provide proper assessments and mold identification.

2. All indoor spaces have mold spores that drift in from outdoors, so mold tests will generally provide a long list of species.

3. The EPA has set no guidelines for an acceptable amount of mold or mold spores in a house and recommends hiring a professional to look for growing colonies. Note that some mold inspections include mold testing or sampling, particularly in states where it is required by law.