Our Services
We at Trade Secrets Inspections are committed to quality and integrity, and that proof is in our reports.
General Home Inspections
Why have a Full Service Home Inspection?
Real estate investing and home ownership can be one of the most exciting, rewarding, and challenging undertakings in life. Having professional, experienced guidance from a top quality property inspector is essential to making correct decisions. Let us be part of the team that helps guide you through purchases, maintenance, ownership and changes.
general home inspection, full service home inspections
Trade Secrets Inspections
We will not only provide you with highly detailed reporting, but by utilizing HomeGauge software we are able to provide education and guidance. In most cases the report is ready within 24 hours. You will be provided with a personal account link allowing you access to your report online, anytime.
A Full Service Home Inspection Includes...
Indoor Air Quality
Why test My Indoor Air Quality?
Harmful chemicals and toxic agents can spread throughout the air in your home and begin to impact your health over time.
Process
- Consultation with the customer.
- Evaluation of areas associated with complaints.
- Evaluation of locations and extent of possible causes including hidden contamination sources.
- Collection and analysis of air and surface samples.
- Water damage investigation.
- Air ducts and equipment investigation.
- Resolution and formulation of report.
- Follow up, clearance testing, and maintenance.
Items we can test for...
Wind Mitigation
Is it necessary?
A wind mitigation inspection is the only inspection that can significantly reduce the cost of your insurance policy. Depending on where you reside, along the coast for example, savings can range from a few hundred to well over $1,000.
What Do We Inspect?
Roof covering:
The inspector will start off with the basics. For the roof, that’s the covering , or the material it’s made of. The inspector will also take a look at the age of the roof and condition it’s in. So if it’s been replaced recently, provide the permit you had for the construction; it’ll help you in the long run.
Roof-deck attachment:
This is how the shingles are secured to the roof deck and how the roof deck is secured to the truss/rafters. During this part of the inspection, the inspector will even look at the length of the nails, which can determine the discounts you can receive.
Roof-to-wall connection: This tells the inspector how well your roof is attached to the walls of your property and how it would withstand intense hurricane winds.
Secondary water resistance:
The inspector will look to see if you have a protective layer that sits between the primary layer of the roof and the insulating layer of your roof. Think of it as that light rain jacket you wear even though you have an umbrella.
Roof geometry:
This is the shape of your roof. The roof shape determines how well your roof may withstand a windstorm.
Opening protection:
The inspector will take a look at the windows and doors to see if you have extra protection on them. For instance, they will check for shatterproof windows, bracing on the garage door, hurricane-rated doors, and storm shutters.
Mold Assessment
Florida Mold Assessment
Often, when we hear the word “mold” in relation to our living conditions, we get a little crazy. But since we live in Florida that is a very prevalent situation. We are here to tell you we can help! With the right equipment a mold “problem” can soon become a distant memory.
Let’s explore the differences between a mold inspector and a mold assessor.
Mold Inspection vs. Mold Assessment
A mold inspection, in this case performed by a home inspector, consists of a visual inspection for mold growth, moisture mapping for hidden leaks, air sampling, surface sampling, and checking the air conditioning for mold. Every inspection can be different as some could be limited in nature.
The mold assessment performed by a certified mold assessor, who is essentially the architect of the project, a common industry phrase referencing their pre- and post-project responsibilities. Due to this managerial role of the mold assessor, selecting a qualified and experienced assessor is the first step to take.
Other Inspections
This i s an inspection report used by insurers on properties older than 20 years of age. It focuses only on four main areas of interest in a home:
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
- Electrical wiring and panels
- Plumbing connections and fixtures
- Roof
The inspection and report describes the condition and age of these elements.
We typically perform:
- Sheathing, Deck and Fastener Inspection. The condition of the existing and any replaced plywood or deck boards along with the fastener type and spacing are inspected for code compliance
- Water Barrier and Metal Inspection. The water barrier, drip edge, flashing, and valley metal along with fasteners for these components are inspected for code compliance.
- Final Inspection. The roof and all related components are inspected at this point for completion and code compliance. All construction debris is removed from the roof and surrounding area.
When purchasing a home, termites or other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants, woodborer or powder post beetles can quickly put a damper on the excitement. Depending on your mortgage lender, a termite and wood-destroying insect inspection may be required. Florida state law requires that all WDO inspections are perfumed by licensed pest control contractors. TSI can provide this service via third party pest contractor arrangements.
We look into these issues:
- Systems and equipment bonding and electrical protection.
- Safety devices, drains, and partitions.
- Cracked or disintegrating concrete decks, which are potential safety issues, and generally costly to replace.
Pool linings that are near their end of life, which will require replacement in the near future.
Leaks from cracked lines or filtration equipment that can get worse with time, introduce contaminants into the pool, and might require significant effort to repair
If you are a private well owner, you are responsible for the quality of your drinking water and maintaining your well system. Regular water testing and well inspection are imperative in order to keep your water well operating properly and to ensure there are no contaminants so you always have a safe supply of drinking water. At a minimum, your well water should be tested every year for bacteria, the most common water quality problem. Other tests may be required or recommended, depending on where you live and what is located near your water well system.
Full spectrum laboratory testing is available upon request. TSI recommends testing both public and private water supplies.