Reasons for providing better Wind Mitigation Photos:
By providing better photos, the Wind Mitigation Report can provide a more accurate representation of the properties qualifications and at the same time avoid inspection inaccuracies and retakes, attached is a close up of a Hurricane Metal panel that includes the Miami-Dade County etching and the Hurricane panel manufacturer information, this information can also be used to find the companies product approval/NOA.
Slab on right hand south side of house is noted to be exposed .Slab noted to have stucco finish and was finished with ext. paint No gutters at time of inspection would indicate water run off roof created run off exposing slab on right hand side of house.
This is a picture of a home with a hip roof. This home would receive the full hip roof credit within the wind mitigation report under roof geometry. There are no other type of roofs within the structure. Hip roof is 100% of the structure.
Hi my name is Mike from Ocala Florida. I learned there are ten ways to save energy in your house. The information can be passed on to the home owner to help them save money on their electric bill. Everyone should know how a few simple ways to help. The results will help everyone in the long run Where I live in Ocala people are switching to solar lights and tring to be more e friendly
I researched garage inspections. I learned that all receptacles in the garage are to be GFCIs. I also learned to look for connection points for trusses in the garage. Gang nail plates should all be intact and gusset plates should not be wooden. If the gusset plates are wonden, report that within the inspection report and state to client to have a structural engineer inspect and evaluate it.
After doing many inspections involving residential homes with tankless water heaters and water heaters with tanks, I have found that while the tankless water heaters do provide instant and endless hot water, these tankless water heaters require a higher amount of electricity ( 60 Amps ) in order to super heat the water. With older homes you find electrical service limitations ( 100 Amps ) is common, Imagine having someone taking a hot shower and another family member heating up a slice of pizza in the microwave ( 40 Amps ). Although the maximum Amps being used is still 100 Amps the service capacity well you know where I am going with this.
My recommendation may be to go with a super high efficiency water heater with a tank and possibly a timer or upgrading the electrical service to the current 200 Amp residential standard, there may be other solutions or recommendations given for specific situations ( Condo, Town House, Single Family or Commercial Office for example ).
The Library and available information was a great help.
These photos show 2 separate metal straps (wraps) imbedded in the beam with 4 nails on each side of each strap. This qualifies for “D” on the report which only needs a minimum of 2 nails on ones side and one on the other with a double wrap. There is no evidence of rust. Straps are in excellent condition.
OSB and plywood are used for the same purposes; however have very different strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion there seems to be more cons than pros for OSB, such as weighs more, if it is exposed to moisture it will swell and stay permanently swollen unlike plywood and more likely to decay. On the other hand it is considered more “green”, less expensive and more uniform in its consistency. It also produced twice as much as plywood. Is it because of cost?
Evaluating Structural Framing
Even though basic structural framing has changed little over the years the practices of how to reinforce connections has evolved. The methods for continuous load path with the addition of structural connectors has improved the overall structure and strengthened the end product to withstand greater forces than similar structures in the past.
I chose to read the Crib Safety Inspection article. I have an infant and want to keep him safe and any information I can pass on to other parents I feel is one of my responsibility as a parent. 50 infants pass away from crib related accidents and another 9000 injured every year. Slates can not be further apart from each other than 2 3/8" and we should avoid letting our infants sleep with blankets as they could be a suffocation hazard.
I chose a recent wind mit we performed. Rafters sat on 2x4 on the top of the exterior block wall. This was a 1962 block home We were unable to verify if the 2x4 was secured to the block wall. Clips were nail correctly but the clips were not directly secured to the concrete exterior wall.
The roof covering is architectural single on a gable roof. The roof covering appeared to be in good condition at time of inspection. Roof was replaced in 2006 based on county records.
I chose to read the article: Do classroom home inspection courses harm consumers?
I found this article particularly interesting because I truly enjoy the in class/lecture style of learning. However, this article does a great job at point out ways that learning online can actually benefit the student. It does save a lot of time and money. It is based on the student’s pace rather than the instructors. Content can be updated easier as the teacher himself doesn’t have to learn it.
Overall the article is interesting and explains thing from a different perspective. I would agree that a balance between online and in class learning is good.
In general, the higher the high-velocity hurricane zone number,the higher the pressure that is exerted on the building. This home is in northeast Florida outside of the HVHZ. The photo below shows the house roof covering and other structural components.
The components we see here include various items that are important in determining hurricane-damage loss and resistance to these losses. For this assignment we will only discuss the windows.
Here we have an enclosed porch that is attached to and part of the structure, with all exterior walls made of solid materials, the roof is solid covered with shingles and this porch is un-conditioned space. All windows are subject to failure due to missile impact. So long as the window is structurally attached to the building frame failure should not occur.
This area would benefit greatly from the installation of shutters that are impact-tested and approved.
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. Wind mitigation helps protect the home from damage.
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… 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
Wind Mitigation Course, Great not only for Hurricane prone states but also for the northeast of the US that border the Atlantic Ocean. It just adds an additional layer of self confidence when dealing with beachfront properties. People in the south are generally better prepared for high wind than in the northeast, even after Sandy. Photo below was taken on a home within a few miles of the coast. I did recommend that they consider repairing or replacement with a stronger door.
Student: Salvatore F Anastasi II
Class: InterNACHI ~ How to perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection
2016 CEU’s Florida Home Inspector. HI7819
The photo is a Large Slider Door, which appears to have some sort of Hurricane Protection; at both the Jamb and Head, and a bolt on Angle Iron which matches the Head pattern (not shown). Upon closer review of the panels; there is a dimples pattern on the panels, nor is there a Miami Dade, FBC Product Approval Number stamped on the panels. In addition, upon careful review of the Sliding Door Frame, I see no Miami Dade Product Approval or FBC label on the Door Frame stating it is an impact resistant door. Therefore, this Sliding Glass Door would not meet the necessary requirements to qualify for a wind mitigation credit. In addition, and since this is the weakest form of opening protection this would exclude the entire home from qualifying wind mitigation credit.
As the reading assignment I chose Mastering Roof Inspections: article series. Wow, with as many articles just in the Mastering Roof Inspections I can see how you can become more confident in your roof evaluations. Also there are 20 Albums of Roof Illustrations in the gallery to look through.
Student: Salvatore F Anastasi II
Class: InterNACHI ~ How to perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection
2016 CEU’s Florida Home Inspector. HI7819
Essay Assignment: Chimney Flashing
The illustration is that of a Typical Chimney Flashing System. The Flashing itself can be either made of Flexible PVC, or Metals Fabric and Solid Metals (Cooper, Galvinized Steel, Lead, Lead Coated Cooper, and Galvalume). Aluminum should be avoid at all cost for it is not compatiable with Mortar. Flashing is an essentail part of an good Roofing to Chimney Connection, for if it is not done properly, this will be a major cause of a roof leaks, which could lead to costly repairs.
There are four elements of a good Flashed Chimney; Head Flashing, Step Flashing, Apron, and Counter Flashing. Head Flash is installed highest point chimney running accross horizontal to the roof line. Next comes the Step Flashing on the sides of the Chimney, which is installed in small lengths to match the rise and run of the roof line while allow a horizontal installation in the masonry joint. It is very important, that Step Flashing is install in proper direction (hint: water runs down hill), and there is a minimum of 3” overlap, and projection in each pieces of step flashing. Next is the Apron Flashing which also runs horizontal to the roof line, but it is installed at the lowest point to the roof. All of the above Flashing can be installed in a Reglet, in the Mortar Joint, or by use of a Termination bar. The final element of the Flashing System is the Counter-Flashing which overlaps the Step Flashing below. It is the responsibility of the Inspector to proper inspect the Four Elements of the Chimney Flashing when encountering a Fireplace.
