HomeStar Inspections

Pre-Drywall Inspection Saves the Roof! Trusses Off by 2.5"Pre-Drywall Inspection Saves the Roof! Trusses Off by 2.5" & Gapping on Bond Beam – Florida Code Violation Caught Early.

In this eye-opening pre-drywall inspection, we discovered critical roof truss issues that could have compromised the home's structural integrity once hidden behind drywall. Several trusses were installed off by up to 2½ inches, with one spaced at just 21½ inches instead of the required 24 inches on center per the Florida Building Code (which uses 24" o.c. as the standard for rafter/truss spacing in tables for sheathing thickness, attachment, and load distribution in the Residential Code, Chapter 8). Additionally, trusses were attached to the bond beam with unacceptable gaps instead of proper, secure connections required for wind uplift resistance in Florida's high-wind environment. This is exactly why a thorough pre-drywall inspection is essential — these defects are invisible after drywall goes up, but fixing them now prevents future headaches, code failures, and potential safety risks during storms. Great catch for the homeowner!



Remember, the only thing more expensive than hiring a professional is hiring an amateur! Be sure to hire well qualified, properly insured inspectors and contractors.

Happy Hunting!

Toby

critical fire hazard : Grease Fire Imminent A commercial kitchen inspection has revealed an imminent grease fire risk. The Type I grease hood is not connected to any exterior exhaust and is instead trapping grease-laden vapors directly in the attic space. This creates a highly dangerous buildup of combustible grease deposits that could ignite at any time, leading to a rapidly spreading fire through the structure. Immediate shutdown of cooking operations, professional cleaning, full system redesign with proper exterior ducting, and re-inspection are urgently required to prevent a potential catastrophe.



Remember, the only thing more expensive than hiring a professional is hiring an amateur! Be sure to hire well qualified, properly insured inspectors and contractors.

Happy Hunting!

Toby

One Smell Led to a Bigger Discovery during this inspection, and it is a perfect reminder that a good home inspector uses more than just their eyes. Your nose, hearing, sight, and experience all matter. In this case, there was a musty odor along with signs of leaking below some windows, which led me to recommend a mold assessment. The client agreed, and that one smell ended up leading to a much bigger discovery: mold in the ductwork. This is more common than many people realize because duct systems can create the perfect environment for mold growth when there is moisture, poor filtration, air leakage, or an air handler that is not properly sealed. The mold identified was Cladosporium, which is commonly found in ductwork and has known allergic potential. Remediation can correct the issue, but the real key is also fixing what caused it so the problem does not come back.



Remember, the only thing more expensive than hiring a professional is hiring an amateur! Be sure to hire well qualified, properly insured inspectors and contractors.

Happy Hunting!

Toby