Posts made in December, 2014


Keep Calm & Call The Inspector!

Got Mold? Keep Calm!

We often receive phone calls from distressed home and business owners that have recently discovered what they believe is mold. Mold is certainly a serious issue in Central Florida and should be investigated, but sometimes a simple phone consultation will let you know if your issues warrant an actual mold testing. After a short discussion on the phone, if we believe you may have a mold problem we will come to collect samples throughout your home, business, or commercial building in order to determine the air quality.

The mold test samples will be sent in to an independent laboratory for proper investigation. A detailed report will be sent to both you and our customer service in the office. If a mold issue is discovered, we will create a protocol to get you on the way to fixing the problem. Since we do not do mold remediation ourselves you don’t have to worry that we will recommend an unnecessary mold removal. as always, Buy Your Side is on your side! Call us today. 407.780.0911.

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New Home Plan & Permits

New Home Plan & Permits

You’re probably familiar with the permit requirement for new homes, mobile homes, room additions, and in-ground swimming pools. However, you may not be aware that certain additions, alterations, modifications and repairs that you or a contractor perform on your home or property require a permit.

Failing to obtain a proper permit can result in greatly increased costs, delays and even removal of structures. The 2010 Florida Building Code, Section 105.1, requires that a building permit be obtained prior to construction, alterations, repairs, and relocations. A property owner or contractor who starts work without first obtaining a permit could be subject to a penalty of 100% of the usual permit fee.

Permits are required for projects such as:
Carports, garages, fences, sheds, screen rooms, sun rooms, re-roofing, re-siding, window replacement, door replacement, garage door replacement, above-ground swimming pools, masonry fireplaces, A/C change outs, electrical work, plumbing work, and low-voltage wiring to name just a few.

Permits are not required to paint a house (interior or exterior) or to perform minor repair and replacement work on defective receptacle outlets and manual switches for lighting control.

If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, contact Buy Your Side Home Inspections 407.780.0911.

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There's A War On Your Roof!

There’s A Battle Up On Your Roof!

Did you know a war is being waged on your roof and in Florida we have several “enemies.” The actual life of the roof will vary, depending on a number of interrelated factors, including the quality of the roofing material and method of installation. Luckily, roofs are designed to last years when properly maintained. Here are just a few of the enemies your roof is battling to keep you and your family safe from the elements.

  • Florida is the Sunshine State and the heat and ultra-violet rays from the sun cause deterioration over time.
  • Our sea breezes are wonderful but wind can damage, lift and/or remove shingles exposing the roof deck to moisture and debris and making the home vulnerable to water damage and rot.
  • Central Florida sees about 50 inches of rain annually – water underneath shingles and other roofing materials exposes the roof deck. The resulting excess moisture can foster the growth of moss, algae and rot which can can infiltrate the house, including walls, ceilings, and insulation.
  • We love our lush vegetation in Florida, however overgrown trees that come into contact with the roof can damage roofing materials and the leaves remaining on the roof can retain moisture and cause rot.
  • Loose or missing Flashing – Your roof needs tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and wall/roof junctions and should be inspected routinely.
  • Aging Roof – Your roof won’t last forever and old and worn out shingles curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness over time and compromise the performance of the roof.

Buy Your Side Home Inspections provides Osceola County with the most thorough and affordable home inspections available. Call 407-780-0911 for more Information on how to save money buy doing a Home Inspection!

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Prepare For Your Home Inspection

Prepare For Your Home Inspection

You’re selling your home and a Home Inspection has been scheduled as part of the sales process.  What can you, the seller, do to prepare and ensure a smooth inspection? Here are a twelve steps you can take:

  1. Clean the House. Sounds like a “no-brainer” but a clean home says how much you care and take care of your home.
  2. Be on time. Have your home inspection-ready at the set appointment time. Many inspectors are even early and begin their inspection on the home’s exterior so don’t be running around the house in a bath towel.
  3. Leave the utilities connected if the home is vacant. The Inspector needs to check appliances and receptacles. If the utilities aren’t on, the inspection will need to rescheduled which could delay the closing process.
  4. Remove barriers. Provide clear access to the furnace, air conditioner and water heater and that’s the area is free of clutter.
  5. Provide access to garage and attic. Don’t give the Inspector an obstacle course to navigate.
  6. Leave the remote controls for your garage door opener or a key if the garage is unattached to the house.
  7. Clear brush away from your home’s exterior foundation.
  8. Move trash cans away from the house.
  9. Prepare to be away from your home for about three hours. Potential buyers may be uncomfortable in asking questions during the inspection if the seller is present. It’s a good idea to take your children and your pets with you. Crate your pets if you can’t take them with you or place them in a secured area of the home and be sure your Inspector knows ahead of time.
  10. Replace any burned out light bulbs.
  11. Change the filters in your heating and cooling system.
  12. Check to make sure smoke detectors are operating.

Buy Your Side Home Inspections protects home buyers all throughout Osceola County with the most thorough and affordable home inspections available. Call 407-780-0911 for more Information on how to save money buy doing a Home Inspection!

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Plumbing 101: The Basics


Posted on Dec 4, 2014 | 0 comments

Plumbing Inspections

Plumbing Inspections

In the 1920’s, lead was commonly found in many plumbing systems. In fact, the word “plumbing” is derived from the Latin word “plumbum,” which means lead and was used for a long time because of its ability to resist pinhole leaks while being pliable enough to form into shapes to deliver water. When in use as a component of a waste system, it is not an immediate health threat, but as a component of potable water pipes it can be a definite health-hazard which is why homes built after 1986 incorporate lead-free products.

Plumbing systems have common components, but they are not uniform. In addition to fixtures, these components include gas pipes, water pipes, pressure regulators, pressure relief valves, shut-off valves, drain and vent pipes, and water-heating devices, some of which we do not test if they are not in daily use. The best and most dependable water pipes are copper, because they are not subject to the build-up of minerals that bond within galvanized pipes, and gradually restrict their inner diameter and reduce water volume. Water softeners can remove most of these minerals, but not once they are bonded within the pipes, for which there would be no remedy other than a re-pipe.

The water pressure within pipes is commonly confused with water volume, but whereas high water volume is good – high water pressure is not. In fact, whenever the street pressure exceeds eighty pounds per square inch a regulator is recommended, which typically comes factory preset between forty-five and sixty-five pounds per square inch. However, regardless of the pressure, leaks will occur in any system, and particularly in one with older galvanized pipes, or one in which the regulator fails and high pressure begins to stress the washers and diaphragms within the various components.

Waste and drainpipes pipes are equally varied, and range from modern ABS ones [acrylonitrile butadiene styrene] to older ones made of cast-iron, galvanized steel, clay, and even a cardboard-like material that is coated with tar. The condition of these pipes is usually directly related to their age. Older ones are subject to damage through decay and root movement, whereas the more modern ABS ones are virtually impervious to damage, although some rare batches have been alleged to be defective. However, inasmuch as significant portions of drainpipes are concealed, we can only infer their condition by observing the draw at drains. Nonetheless, blockages will occur in the life of any system, but blockages in drainpipes, and particularly in main drainpipes, can be expensive to repair, and for this reason we recommend having them video-scanned. This could also confirm that the house is connected to the public sewer system, which is important because all private systems must be evaluated by specialists.

We inspect many homes and businesses in Osceola County and we tend to see the same type issues in many of our home inspections.The most common plumbing defects include old and incompatible piping materials and faulty fixtures or waste lines. These may require simple repairs, such as replacing a fixture, or more expensive measures, such as replacing the plumbing system itself.

Buy Your Side Home Inspection provides you with an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of your home, from the roof to the foundation. Call us today. 407.780.0911.

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