Asbestos

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks. There are different kinds of asbestos fibers, all of which are fire resistant and not easily destroyed or degraded by natural processes. The mere presence of asbestos in building materials and home products is not necessarily a health risk. The danger occurs when asbestos fibers are released from the material to the air and breathed in. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can become lodged in tissue for a long time, and cancer of the lung or stomach can develop after many years of exposure. Experts say that no level of exposure to asbestos fibers is totally safe.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed restrictions and bans on the use of asbestos in home products since the mid 1970's. For asbestos already in the home, the EPA recommends either removal of the asbestos product by a qualified asbestos-removal contractor to an approved disposal site or encapsulation of any asbestos left in place in the home. The process of removal is dangerous since that's when the fibers are disturbed and can be released to the air. Asbestos is used in products because of its strength, its good thermal and acoustic insulating properties, its use as a binder, and its fire resistance. It was used in the many materials including asbestos cement siding and roofing, vinyl floor

Asbestos Cement (Siding)

Asbestos cement siding is a material made of asbestos and portland cement and is fireproof and weather resistant. It was in popular use in the 1950's. The asbestos present in the siding poses no health danger as long as the siding is in place. However, scraping the siding to clean it before painting can release asbestos fibers. Fibers can also be released when the siding is removed. The EPA requires that removed asbestos cement siding be treated as a hazardous material and disposed of in an approved landfill. Customers should be informed of this information whenever you find asbestos cement siding. This siding material is durable. It is, however, brittle and can be cracked or broken on impact.

Asbestos Insulation

Wall and attic insulation:
Generally, asbestos fibers were used as loose fill insulation in homes built from the 1930's through the 1950's. The fill is likely to look fibrous or powdery. Some rock wool and vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibers. It's difficult to know for certain whether insulation contains asbestos or not.

Water pipe and heating duct insulation:
A common pipe and duct insulation that contains asbestos looks like corrugated cardboard when viewed from the end. This insulation, if deteriorating or damaged, is one of the most common causes of releasing asbestos fibers into the home. Removal by qualified disposal technicians is expensive.

Wind Mitigation

The question inspectors tend to get most often lately is "should i get a wind mitigation inspection?" The question is normally followed by "what is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?" In short, the wind mitigation inspection allows the homeowner (and the insurance provider) to know how the home is effectively prepared for the hurricane winds that the panhandle can be exposed too. The program was initially established by that state in the wake of the multiple hurricanes that struck Florida in the 2000s. The state has since dissolved the program, however, insurance companies are still interested in giving breaks to homeowners that have properties that show outstanding resilience in the face of a hurricane. Most homes that were built after 2001 will receive some credit and many other older homes that have been retrofitted can also qualify for a premium break. The following video will go over some of the key things to look for in the Wind Mitigation Inspection.

Chinese Drywall

The Chinese drywall controversy is an alleged health and safety issue involving defective drywall manufactured in China and imported to the U.S. starting in 2004. Laboratory tests of samples for volatile chemicals have identified emissions of the sulfurous gases carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide. These emissions, which have the odor of rotten eggs, worsen as temperature and humidity rise. Homeowners have reported respiratory tract infections, sinus problems and nosebleeds.

In homes with the defective drywall, copper surfaces such as pipes, wiring, and air conditioner coils corrode, turning black and powdery, a chemical process indicative of reaction with hydrogen sulfide.

To completely sure a home has drywall that could be dangerous to both the homeowner and the home a labratory test must be performed. However, the following video shows how an inspector can determine if the drywall needs to be tested.

Home Inspection License

State of Florida Home Inspection License Process

The Florida Home Inspector bill, SB 2234, was passed on June 28, 2007 which requires home inspectors in Florida to carry a home inspector license and requires the same for mold remediators. The bill requires home inspectors to meet the following requirements before obtaining their Florida Home Inspection License. The original bill was set to take affect on July 1, 2010, but due to revisions, home inspectors have and additional one year to meet with compliance.

HOME INSPECTOR - INITIAL LICENSE BY EXAMINATION

This application is used by individuals who have taken and passed the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) given by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI).

Application Requirements:

• EXAMINATION: Individuals seeking licensure as a Home Inspector must first take and pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). The examination will be administered by Pearson VUE in computer based testing format.
• EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: The applicant must demonstrate proof of completing a course of study approved by the department of not less than 120 hours that covers the 8 components of a home and has passed the examination required by the department. This is not a complete listing of educational and experience requirements. Please see the application instructions page for complete information.
• FINGERPRINTS: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
• INSURANCE: Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $300,000.
• FEE: Pay the required fee as provided in the application, payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• APPLICATION: Complete the application by selecting the "Printable Application" link at the bottom of the page.

HOME INSPECTOR - INITIAL LICENSE BY GRANDFATHERING

This application is used by individuals who wish to apply for licensure who have been performing home inspection services prior to March 1, 2011.

Application Requirements:

• EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: The applicant must submit proof of certification as a home inspector by a state or national association that requires successful completion of a proctored exam on home inspections and completion of at least 14 hours of verifiable education on home inspection services;
  or
  at the time of application, have at least 3 years of experience as a home inspector and complete 14 hours of verifiable education on home inspection services. To establish the 3 years of experience, an applicant must submit at least 120 home inspection reports prepared by the applicant. The department may investigate the validity of the reports submitted.
• FINGERPRINTS: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
• INSURANCE: Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $300,000.
• FEE: Pay the required fee as provided in the application, payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Although no licenses have been processed yet, it is vital that Realtors stay informed on the their local Home Inspectors accreditations in these areas.