Frequently Asked Questions ​ and Homeowner's Resources​

Here are a few things you should know before a storm hits:

1. The elevation level of your property—It’s a good idea to know your home’s elevation and prepare accordingly. FloodTools.com has some great tips for planning for a flood. And although you might not be able to prevent flood damage, you could take measures to avoid losing truly irreplaceable things.
2. Where to find shelter—When a storm hits, the last place you want to be is outside. Even a car is not a reliable place to take refuge. It’s best to think through where to go beforehand—to have a plan. Basements, the bottom floor of a building, or under a stairwell are good places to wait out a storm.
3. Evacuation routes—When appropriate, local officials will provide information about evacuation routes through the media. But these routes are typically available at any time online. It’s a good idea to be familiar with these routes before a storm hits so you know where to go.
4. A safe place for your car—Ideally, your car would be with you as you evacuate. However, if you can’t take it with you, park it indoors or on high ground away from potential sources of damage (falling debris, projectiles, etc.). Be sure to have a tarp and waterproof tape handy to seal your windows and doors, as well.
5. How to know a storm is coming—You can spot a tornado brewing by the dark, often greenish, sky; big hailstones; and large, low-lying clouds. You’ll also hear a roar, similar to a freight train. In the case of a hurricane, look for increasing ocean swells, frequency of waves, and driving rain 36 to 72 hours before it hits.

And, a few things to do:

1. Keep your car fueled up—Don’t wait until it’s time to evacuate to realize you don’t have enough gas. Gas stations will often be closed during emergencies, and the pumps won’t work if there’s a power outage. Be sure to have at least a half tank of gas at all times.
2. Keep the landscaping in check—Well-trimmed trees and shrubbery are more wind resistant. And that means they’re less likely to become flying battering rams in a storm.
3. Have materials ready to board up your windows—Storm shutters offer the best protection, but if you don’t have them, 5/8 inch marine plywood is a good alternative. Cut these boards to fit in advance, and keep them at the ready so you can use them when it’s time. Check out this website for instructions on how to properly board up your house.
4. Make an emergency kit—In the event of a severe storm, you might have to wait for days before help arrives. Have enough food, water, and basic supplies to last at least 72 hours.

Let the Internet be your guide.

By no means is this list exhaustive, but hopefully it gets you pointed in the right direction. And, of course, there’s no shortage of helpful tips you can glean from the Internet. For example, Ready.gov is a great resource to mine for more proactive ways to be  ready. And, there are many mobile apps these days that offer everything from storm tracking to tips for being prepared.

Call us, we can help answer your questions!

Rick

239-537-1186

We may find unexpected things, no house is perfect, not even new construction. The report is not a seller’s “MUST FIX” list; it’s simply an impartial report of the house’s condition giving you clear direction for what should be done about each problem. Every situation is different; it’s up to you and your real estate agent to decide how to proceed after the inspection.

No. Not only are we bound by a strong code of ethics and do not perform repairs on any home we inspect,  it is illegal under Florida State Licensing for Home Inspectors for the inspector to perform repairs on their inspection.

The state of Florida does not have requirements for routine private home well water sampling. However, we recommend that homeowners test their water for coliform bacteria and nitrates every year. Also, most homeowners should test for lead every three years. Trade Secrets Inspections will gladly perform this service for a small fee.

Even if you have purchased a home with Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC), unless you, the builder or a home inspector tested your new home for radon, that’s not necessarily so. Although the name Radon Resistant New Construction implies that the home resists radon, RRNC simply is the installation of radon system pipes without a radon mitigation fan. Without the fan, the home is “radon system ready,” but not resistant to radon entry.

Yes. Just as the home inspection informs you about the condition of the home you are interested in purchasing, a pool inspection informs you about the condition of the pool.

Yes. We can’t see through walls or predict the future. A home inspection is not an appraisal, or a check for compliance with building codes. It’s also not an evaluation for any biological, geological, or environmental hazards.
See the inspection agreement and the FABI Standards of Practice for more information on the limitations of an inspection.

It is the seller’s responsibility to get the house ready for the inspection. The seller should:

• • • -have all utilities turned on (water, electric, gas)
      -clear access to areas like attics, crawl spaces, electric panels, water heaters and furnaces
      -unlock areas such as storage closets, fence gates, electric panels, pool equipment and -crawl space hatches
      -remove or secure pets so they are not free to roam

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, we would highly encourage as many people in attendance as willing. However, under current CDC and local governmental guidelines for small business we encourage you to stay home during the inspection. If you choose to attend, we ask that social distancing is observed.

In a perfect world? No. In a human world of imperfections? Yes. Regardless of the quality of construction or the integrity of the builder, no home is flawless.

A commonly held fallacy is that all construction defects are discovered through municipal building inspections. That is incorrect, not due to any shortcomings on the behalf of the inspectors, but the purpose, scope, time allotment and procedures for municipal inspections are not the same as for home inspections.

Municipal inspectors inspect primarily for code compliance, not the quality of workmanship. They can cite a builder for improper structural framing or for non compliant drain connections, but a poorly fitted door, or an uneven counter top and slipshod finish work are not included on their list of concerns.

Municipal inspectors rarely inspect an attic or a crawlspace. They come to the job site with a clipboard and a codebook, not with a ladder and overalls. Construction defects in such areas can escape detection. Municipal inspectors typically inspect a roof from the ground or possibly from the builder’s ladder. From these perspectives, defects can go undiscovered. And final inspections are performed before the utilities are turned on, so municipal inspectors cannot determine if or how well appliances and fixtures truly work. They don’t test outlets for ground and polarity because this can be done only after the power supply is turned on. Nor, without power, can they test the performance of GFCI or AFCI safety breakers.

The lack of utilities also prevents the testing of plumbing fixtures such as sinks, showers, tubs, and dishwashers, and of gas fixtures such as furnaces, fireplaces and water heaters.

When buying a new construction home, you should not forego the benefits of a thorough home inspection.