Defect Field Guide

What We Inspect — and the defects that matter most.

From Federal Pacific panels to polybutylene pipe, here's a plain-English look at the material, electrical, and plumbing issues we identify on Miami-area properties every week — and why they affect your insurability, safety, and resale value.

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Regular defects we find weekly

Typical defects we find — and document — every week.

Every Imperial inspection report flags these by severity, with photos, location, and recommended next steps. Here's what our inspectors are trained to spot.

Electrical · 1950s – 1980s

Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Panels

High Concern

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok breakers have a documented history of failing to trip during overloads or short circuits, allowing dangerous heat to build up in the panel.

Why it matters

Failure-to-trip conditions are linked to electrical fires. Most insurance carriers in Florida will not write or renew a policy on a home with an FPE panel.

What we look for

FPE or 'Stab-Lok' label on the panel cover
Discolored or warped breakers
Burn marks or buzzing inside the panel

Electrical · 1970s

Zinsco / Sylvania-Zinsco Panels

High Concern

Zinsco panels suffer from breakers that fuse to the bus bar. When a fault occurs, the breaker can't trip — current keeps flowing and the panel overheats.

Why it matters

Like FPE, Zinsco panels are considered a fire hazard and are a frequent insurance disqualifier in South Florida.

What we look for

Colorful (red, blue, green) breaker handles
Melted bus bar or pitted aluminum
Breakers that won't reset

Electrical · Any era

Double-Tapped Breakers

Notable

A double tap is when two wires are connected to a single breaker terminal that's only rated for one conductor. Loose connections cause arcing and heat.

Why it matters

Improper terminations are one of the most common causes of electrical fires found during a home inspection — and one of the easiest to repair.

What we look for

Two wires under one screw
Flickering lights on a circuit
Warm or discolored breaker face

Electrical · 1965 – 1973

Aluminum Branch Wiring

High Concern

Solid aluminum wiring used for 15- and 20-amp branch circuits expands and contracts, loosening at outlets and switches and creating fire-prone hot spots.

Why it matters

Homes with aluminum branch wiring are 55× more likely to have a connection reach 'fire hazard conditions' (CPSC). Insurers often require remediation with COPALUM crimps or AlumiConn connectors.

What we look for

'AL' or 'aluminum' stamped on cable jacket
Warm or discolored outlets/switches
Burning plastic smell near devices

Electrical · 1880s – 1940s

Knob-and-Tube Wiring

High Concern

An ungrounded, two-wire system run through ceramic knobs and tubes. Insulation becomes brittle with age and the system can't safely handle modern loads.

Why it matters

Active K&T is a major fire and shock hazard, almost always rejected by insurance, and incompatible with insulation contact.

What we look for

Ceramic knobs/tubes visible in attic or crawlspace
Two-prong outlets throughout the home
Cloth-covered conductors

Plumbing · 1978 – 1995

Polybutylene (Poly-B) Supply Pipe

High Concern

Gray plastic supply piping that reacts with chlorine in municipal water. The pipe walls flake from the inside out and fail without warning — often inside walls.

Why it matters

A class-action settlement (Cox v. Shell) confirmed widespread failures. Most Florida insurers will not bind a policy on a home with active poly-B supply lines.

What we look for

Gray plastic pipe stamped 'PB2110'
Copper or brass crimp fittings
History of unexplained leaks

Plumbing · Pre-1975

Cast Iron Drain & Waste Lines

High Concern

Cast iron drains corrode from the inside out. After 50+ years they develop pinholes, channeling, and bellies that trap waste and cause backups.

Why it matters

Failure usually means tearing up slabs or terrazzo to replace lines — easily a $15K–$40K repair on a single-family home.

What we look for

Slow drains throughout the house
Recurring sewer odors
Cracked tile or settled flooring near drain stacks

Plumbing · Pre-1960

Galvanized Steel Supply Pipe

Notable

Internal corrosion narrows the pipe over decades, choking flow and releasing rust into the water supply.

Why it matters

Pressure issues, discolored water, and pinhole leaks. Replacement (re-pipe) is the only real fix.

What we look for

Rusty/brown water at faucets
Low pressure on upper floors
Magnetic, gray supply pipe

Safety · Any era

Missing or Improper TPR Valve Discharge

Notable

Water heater temperature/pressure relief valves require a discharge line of the correct material, diameter, and termination — often missing, capped, or run uphill.

Why it matters

An improperly discharged TPR valve can turn a water heater into an explosive projectile. Every inspection includes verification.

What we look for

No discharge tube on TPR valve
Tube terminating more than 6" above the floor
Threaded or capped end

Roof & Structure · Any era

Failed Roof Underlayment & Soft Decking

Notable

Florida's UV and humidity destroy underlayment long before shingles fail. Soft or rotted decking compromises the roof's wind uplift rating.

Why it matters

Wind mitigation credits — and your insurance premium — depend on a sound deck attachment and secondary water barrier.

What we look for

Sagging between rafters in the attic
Daylight visible at deck edges
Stains on rafters or trusses

HVAC · Any era

Aging or Undersized Air Handler

Notable

Equipment past its 12–15 year service life, mismatched condenser/air handler pairings, or systems undersized for the home's load.

Why it matters

Drives high humidity, poor air quality, and short equipment life. We confirm tonnage, age, and condition.

What we look for

Rust on the air handler cabinet
Continuous run-time without satisfying setpoint
Indoor humidity above 60%

Structure · 2001 – 2009

Chinese Drywall (Defective Imported Drywall)

High Concern

Imported drywall that off-gasses sulfur compounds, corroding copper wiring, AC coils, and electronics — and creating health concerns for occupants.

Why it matters

Remediation requires gutting affected drywall, wiring, and HVAC. Mostly identified by signature corrosion patterns rather than visible damage.

What We Inspect — and the defects that matter most.

Typical defects we find — and document — every week.

Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Panels

Zinsco / Sylvania-Zinsco Panels

Double-Tapped Breakers

Aluminum Branch Wiring

Knob-and-Tube Wiring

Polybutylene (Poly-B) Supply Pipe

Cast Iron Drain & Waste Lines

Galvanized Steel Supply Pipe

Missing or Improper TPR Valve Discharge

Failed Roof Underlayment & Soft Decking

Aging or Undersized Air Handler

Chinese Drywall (Defective Imported Drywall)

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