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Going Back To A Flooded Home

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Flooded Home Kitchen

As much as we love Florida, we know living here comes with the risk of hurricanes and water-related damage. When storms come, people are significantly impacted, some lose everything and many end up with a flooded home.

While these natural disasters are unavoidable, there are steps we should take if a home has water intrusion. Your flooded home may be contaminated with mold or sewage so these steps are important to minimize risk and additional damage.

Standing Water

If there is standing water in your home, the power should be turned off. Your first priority should be to safely turn off the main power source from a dry location. If you cannot access the power source from a dry area, contact an electrician. You should never access any power source while in standing in water.

Always have an electrician check the electrical system before turning the power on again. Open doors and windows to let the house air out before staying for any length of time. Have your home tested for mold as it can grow very quickly in this environment. There is also a chance your home may be contaminated with sewage from the flood water.

Drying Process

It is important to dry out your home as quickly as possible. Open doors and windows to provide airflow and help with the drying process. If you have the okay to turn on your electricity or have a generator you can safely use, a wet-dry shop vacuum or pump can remove any standing water. Be sure to wear rubber boots in standing water while using any equipment and don’t operate a gas generator inside the home.

Fans and dehumidifiers can also assist in the process to remove excess moisture. Place fans by windows or doors to blow the air outward so any mold spores are directed outside.

When you re-enter your home, do it with caution and make sure you take precautions to prevent any exposure to environmental hazards. This will probably be difficult emotionally as this is a home that you love and have likely spent most of your time in but I hope following these tips can help you in the process. You can find additional tips and assistance here: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html

What Is A Wind Mitigation Inspection?

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A wind mitigation inspection is common in Florida and can give homeowners insurance discounts based on your home’s wind-resistant features. There is a standard report that informs the insurance company of the construction features used in the home. See a sample form here.

What Is Looked At?

Wind Mitigation inspections look for features that have been shown to reduce losses during a hurricane. This takes several things into account which I have listed out in more detail below.

Building Code

This is determining the age of your home to see which building code was in effect at the time according to the permit date. If your home was permitted and built after the Florida Building Code was updated in March 2002, this may get you a discount.

Roof Information and Age

When was the roof permitted? Newer roofs have higher standards that must be followed. What type of roof covering is present?

Roof Deck Attachment

This determines how well your roof is attached to the home and its truss system and the strength of the materials used to attach it.

Roof to Wall Attachment

This shows how the roof is attached to the walls of the home. Double wraps are the strongest type of connection.

Roof Geometry

The shape of your roof plays a big role in how it withstands strong winds. A hip roof slopes down on all sides and provides the best defense against wind damage.

Secondary Water Resistance

There are different types of underlayment used under a roof covering. For this question, we are looking to see if a particular self-adhering underlayment has been used that would act as an additional layer of protection.

Opening Protection

This is a difficult discount to get because all of the window openings must be impact-rated or covered by an impact shutter. Documentation must also be provided so if your home has these features, make sure to keep all of the documents including receipts and any permits available in order to prove this in the future. If there are any stickers present that show this info, leave them in place. This also applies to any entry and garage doors.

Note, the wind mitigation inspection is not looking at the condition of the roof or any windows or doors unless it would affect their wind rating and resistance to damage. So, it is important to note that this is not a replacement for a full home inspection.

Another inspection commonly requested by insurance companies is a 4 point inspection, get more info on that here: 4 Point Inspections – What are they?

If you have any questions or need to schedule a wind mitigation inspection, contact us at 407-502-7668 or [email protected]

4 Point Inspections – What Are They?

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In Florida, 4 point inspections are used to let insurance companies know the general condition of four specific systems of a home. These systems are the roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical. 

When do you need one?

Typically, these were only needed on homes over a certain age but insurance companies seem to be changing their criteria on which homes need this almost daily. A 4 point inspection could be requested when you are purchasing a property and requesting an insurance quote or if you already own a home and the insurer is renewing your policy. Sometimes, insurers will even stop issuing policies in certain areas so they will drop your coverage and you will need this inspection in order to find a new policy.

What will the inspector look at?

Your inspector will be reporting on the overall general condition of the roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems but there are also specific things they will be looking for in each area. 

Roof

What is the age and how much life does it have left? If it’s reaching the end of its life expectancy, it may need to be replaced or your insurance company may exclude it from your policy. Are there any signs of current or active leaks?

HVAC

Is the A/C system functioning properly? What kind of heating system is present?

Plumbing

Are there any signs of leaks? What type of piping is present? If polybutylene pipes are used, this may affect your insurance as it has been known to leak. Does your water heater have the required safety features correctly installed?

Electrical

What brand is your electrical panel? Some manufacturers have known problems and safety issues and your insurance company may require these to be replaced. What kind of wiring do you have? If it’s aluminum, repairs will probably be required.

So what does all this mean?

4 point inspections are basically telling the insurer what kind of liability they are taking on when insuring your home. Keep in mind that 4 point inspections are NOT a replacement for a full residential home inspection and should only be used as a report to the insurance company. If you are purchasing a home, never skip the full inspection and add on the 4 point if your insurance company requests it.

If you have any questions or need to schedule a 4 point inspection, contact us at 407-502-7668 or [email protected]

Routine Home Maintenance

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Water faucet

Regular home maintenance is an important part of homeownership. This can save you from unexpected costly repairs in the long run and make things easier when it is time to sell.

Monthly

  • Change HVAC filters – if you have a small family and no pets, this can be done every other month
  • Clean range hood filters – soak them in some degreaser mixed with hot water and rinse
  • Run faucets – if you have any sinks, showers or toilets that aren’t used on a regular basis, run water through them
  • Inspect sink and tub drains for debris – clean if necessary
  • Check water softener – make sure salt levels are good and there are no error codes

Quarterly

  • Check GFCI plugs – trip the circuit interrupter button and then reset
  • Check exterior water drainage – ensure nothing is causing water to puddle for more than 24 hours and that water is not draining towards your foundation, including gutters
  • Maintain garage door hinges/springs – lubricate them with white lithium spray
  • Check for leaks – look under sinks and around toilets to catch things early and minimize damage – also check exterior faucets for drips or leaks
  • Deep clean – roll up your sleeves and scrub appliances, windows, lighting and all your crevices and corners

Annually

Spring Home Maintenance
  • Replace batteries – before your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors start beeping at you
  • Service central air – make sure everything is in great shape before the heat comes
  • Landscaping – this is a great time to seed or sod bare spots before prime growing season
  • Check windows and screens – clear fall and winter debris
Summer Home Maintenance
  • Check dryer vent – vacuum lint from the dryer hose – also, while the dryer is running, check for the smell of fresh laundry – if minimal exhaust, check for blockages
  • Check grout in bathrooms and kitchen – repair where needed
  • Clean shower heads – this keeps water pressure strong
  • Clean and sharpen garbage disposal – run a tray of ice cubes through and deposit a cleaning/foaming product into the disposal
Fall Home Maintenance
  • Replace batteries – yep, it’s time to give your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fresh juice again
  • Check sliding glass doors – clean out track if needed and make sure they are operating smoothly
  • Visually inspect water heater – check for any signs of corrosion or leaking – if there is, have assessed by qualified contractor
  • Clean gutters – get all the leaves out to prevent roof leaks and moisture intrusion
Winter Home Maintenance
  • Clean garage – as you move things in and out while decorating, this is a great time to clean out and re-organize
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils – the fridge can account for up to 15 percent of your home’s total power, keep it running efficiently
  • Inspect and/or test fire extinguishers

This list certainly isn’t everything your home may ever need so don’t forget to reach out to professionals to check in on the major systems of your home every once in a while. You can also have a home inspector come out for an annual home maintenance inspection!

Preparing For Your Home Inspection

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Desk of a home inspector

So you’re finally under contract to purchase a home! You’ve got your inspection lined up…now what?

Here’s a few tips to help in preparing for your home inspection:

Make sure you scheduled everything you need

Most buyers think a general home inspection should cover everything when they may need additional add-on services. Check with your agent, insurance company and lender to make sure you’ve scheduled everything you need. Here’s a few examples:

  • 4-Point
  • Wind Mitigation
  • Termite/pest inspections (sometimes referred to as WDO)
  • Mold Testing
  • Lead Paint Testing

Inspection etiquette

Ask your inspector the best way for you to ask questions. This could be asking as they go along or writing them down and asking everything at the end. Some inspectors prefer if they are able to do the full inspection before you arrive so you will come for the last portion and they will provide you a summary.

Try not to bring extra people or children that are not parties to the transaction to an inspection. Too many people takes the focus away from the inspection and you certainly don’t want distractions to cause an inspector to miss something.

Remember this is not your home quite yet so we want to be as respectful as possible to the current owners and any furniture or belongings in the home.

Keep in mind

A home inspection is a visual, non-comprehensive evaluation of the home. Home inspections are not pass/fail or building code inspections and inspectors cannot guarantee future conditions, efficiency or life expectancy of systems. Your inspector may recommend you have specialists conduct further evaluation of major systems.

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