Property Representation Tool

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

Missing shingles or tiles

A roof that has shingles or tiles missing either leaks now, or will very soon.

A sagging hip or ridgeline of the roof

Excessive sagging may be an overt sign of structural failure.

Rotted soffit or fascia

In most cases, rotted soffits and fascia are manifestations of a roof leak.

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

Soggy ground after several dry days

Chronic wet ground conditions may be an indicator of a broken water supply pipe underground or a natural spring causing problems to the property.

A negative sloped grade toward any exterior wall

Water that is encouraged toward the exterior wall of a home can contribute to water intrusion into the home.

Large cracks in a driveway

Some cracks can require total driveway replacement. If cracks have up or down movement, slab replacement may be needed to correct a trip hazard.

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

Exterior wall cracks

If you can insert the corner of a credit card into any exterior crack, the crack should be evaluated by an expert.

Dirt "tubes" around the base of the home

Subterranean termites leave signs of their presence. Dirt or "mud tubes" found anywhere on a home should be evaluated by a properly certified and licensed termite company.

Wood rot on windows

Rotted wood windows often are not repairable; total window replacement may be the only viable correction.

A sagging beam over the garage vehicle door opening

If this beam is found to be sagging, the only likely repair is to replace the beam.

Main entry door is rotted

Many exterior doors develop wood rot over time. If uncorrected at an early date, total door replacement is often needed.

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

Stain on ceiling

Ceiling stains may have such causes as a roof leak, an air conditioning duct with condensation moisture, a sweating air conditioning line, or even rodent urine. This is no substitute for a roof/attic inspection to identify the cause of the problem.

Doors that stick in their frames

Doors that do not fit well in their frames can be an indicator of structural settlement of the home. It is fair to assume that most doors did not rub their frames when installed. There is no substitute for investigation to find the cause.

Windows that are fogged in such a way that the fog cannot be wiped off from the interior or exterior

Sometimes, double paned windows loose their seal and allow moist, Florida air to enter the space between the 2 panes of glass. The only fix for this is total window replacement.

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

Water standing in the pan beneath the water heater

Any water emitting from a water heater is likely an indicator of failure; replacement may be the only option.

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

Cracks in the pool deck slab

If you can insert the corner of a credit card into any pool deck slab crack, the crack should be evaluated by an expert.

Pool circulation equipment – water leaking from pipes

The water circulation from the pool to the filter and back to the pool again is a closed system. No water should leak out.

Visual trigger

What it might indicate…

The soil is caving in on the landside of the seawall

The purpose of a seawall is to keep the soil from washing out to sea. If the soil is caving in behind the seawall, it likely failing it primary purpose.

Cracks in the seawall

Seawall cracks are always an indicator of age. Cracks allow water to gain access to the steel reinforcing bars within the seawall itself. The water makes the steel rust. The rusting process makes the steel expand which forces chunks of the concrete to fall off. As such, cracks in a seawall are an indicator of an ongoing problem and sign of impending failure.

Age Range of Property

Typical Concerns

1 – 5 Years Old

Stucco walls need repainting to cover developed cracks.

6 – 10 Years Old

Air conditioning systems, water heaters and flat roofs are considered to be aging.

11 – 20 Years Old

Central Florida shingle roofs are aging.

21 – 25 Years Old

Tile roofs are aging.

26 – 30 Years Old

A home’s second shingle roof may be nearing the end of its service life.

31 – 35 Years Old

Homes of this age, unless updated, do not employ the use of modern electrical safety mechanisms such as GFCI receptacles at locations near water.

36 – 40 Years Old

Any original tile roof is either leaking or is nearing the end of its service life.

Over 40 Years Old

Plumbing supply and waste lines are considered to be aging. Failure due developed leaks would not be a surprise at this age.

Main electrical panels may have older fuses rather than modern breakers.

Visual trigger

Comments

Uneven stairs

Modern building code would not allow the installation of stairs that vary in height from one stair to the next. When people go up or down stairs, they naturally take for granted that each stair rise is the same. Any variation to this expectation is a trip hazard. If there is a question about whether or not an improvement is permitted or allowable, refer to the property card and the building ordinances of the governing municipality for the property.

A sleeping room connected to the garage

Modern building codes do not allow a sleeping room adjacent to (or with a doorway between) a garage. An idling car in a garage is too great a risk to a sleeping occupant of the bedroom. It is important to note that there is no universally accepted definition of a bedroom. A bedroom is defined by the governing municipalities’ ordinances. If there is a question about whether or not an improvement is permitted or allowable, refer to the property card and the building ordinances of the governing municipality for the property.

A stairway with marginal headroom

Modern building codes require a clearance of 6 feet – 8 inches over the leading edges of the stairs of a staircase. This is plenty of room for the average person. It is fair to say that if you are an average size person, and you feel that you may hit your head as you descend a staircase, this staircase may not have been built with a building permit. The only exception to this may be staircases in homes built in the first half of 1900s. . If there is a question about whether or not an improvement is permitted or allowable, refer to the property card and the building ordinances of the governing municipality for the property.

Rooms with low ceilings

Modern building codes require ceilings of habitable rooms (living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms) to be not less than 7 feet – 6 inches high. Other spaces (such as hallways, bathrooms, kitchens) must have ceilings not less than 7 feet high. Most people can "feel" if a ceiling height drops below the height allowed by code. If there is a question about whether or not an improvement is permitted or allowable, refer to the property card and building ordinances of the governing municipality for the property.