Living in Florida means living in a house built to handle conditions most of the country never has to think about. Between the humidity, the storm exposure, and the sandy soil, Florida homes have quietly developed their own set of quirks and construction standards over the decades. Here are ten facts about Florida homes that come up regularly during a home inspection, whether you’re buying your first house or your fifth.
1. Florida Has Some of the Toughest Building Codes in the Country
After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, the state overhauled its building code to require significantly stronger construction standards, particularly around wind resistance. Florida homes built after those code changes generally perform better in storms than older construction, which is part of why a home’s build year matters so much during a wind mitigation inspection.
2. Termites Take Their Job Seriously Here
Florida has one of the highest termite pressures in the entire country, thanks to year-round warmth and humidity that never gives colonies a reason to slow down. Subterranean and drywood termites are both active throughout Northeast Florida, which is why WDI inspections are such a routine part of real estate transactions for Florida homes compared to houses in colder states.
3. Slab Foundations Dominate for a Reason
Most Florida homes, including the majority in Jacksonville, sit on concrete slab foundations rather than basements. High water tables and sandy soil make basements impractical across most of the state, and slabs also handle Florida’s heat and humidity better than crawl spaces in many cases.
4. Hurricane Straps Aren’t Just a Suggestion
Metal connectors called hurricane straps or clips tie the roof structure to the walls, helping keep the roof attached to the house during high wind events. Florida homes built or retrofitted with proper strapping perform measurably better during storms, and this is one of the specific features documented during a wind mitigation inspection.
5. Your Attic Gets Hotter Than You Think
Florida attics regularly reach temperatures well over 130 degrees during summer months, which affects everything from shingle lifespan to how hard your HVAC system has to work. This is part of why proper attic ventilation matters so much for Florida homes specifically, more than it might in a milder climate.
6. Older Homes May Still Have Polybutylene or Galvanized Plumbing
Florida homes built between the 1970s and 1990s sometimes still have polybutylene piping, a material known for a higher failure rate than modern alternatives, or older galvanized steel pipes prone to internal corrosion over time. Both are worth flagging during an inspection, particularly on homes that haven’t had plumbing updates.
7. Insurance Companies Really Do Care About Your Roof Shape
Hip roofs, which slope on all four sides, generally perform better in high wind events than gable roofs, which have flat vertical ends. This single architectural detail can genuinely affect your homeowners insurance premium, which is one of many features a wind mitigation inspection documents for insurers.
8. Sinkholes Are More of a Central Florida Thing
Despite Florida’s reputation for sinkholes, Northeast Florida’s geology makes the region less prone to this issue compared to areas further south and west where limestone karst topography is more pronounced. That said, monitoring for subtle signs of ground movement is still a reasonable part of any thorough inspection here.
9. Water Testing Matters More for Well-Dependent Areas
While much of Jacksonville is on municipal water, surrounding areas including parts of Green Cove Springs and Middleburg still rely on private wells. Well water testing checks for quality and safety concerns that municipal water customers simply don’t need to think about, since city water is regulated and tested differently.
10. Thermal Imaging Was Practically Made for Florida Homes
Because Florida’s humidity creates ideal conditions for moisture intrusion that isn’t always visible to the eye, infrared thermal imaging has become a standard part of inspecting Florida homes. Temperature differences picked up by an infrared camera can reveal hidden moisture, insulation gaps, or electrical hot spots well before they become visible problems.
Florida Homes Deserve Florida-Specific Expertise
These quirks are exactly why hiring an inspector who understands the specific challenges of building and maintaining Florida homes matters as much as the inspection itself. Schedule your inspection with SelphGuard Home Inspections and get a clear, Florida-specific picture of your home’s condition.
For more detail on Florida’s building code history and requirements, the Florida Building Commission maintains current code information and background on the state’s construction standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Florida homes mostly have slab foundations instead of basements?
High water tables and sandy soil across most of the state make basements impractical, so builders rely on slab foundations, which also handle Florida’s climate more effectively.
Do all older Florida homes have plumbing issues?
Not all of them, but homes built between the 1970s and 1990s are more likely to have polybutylene or galvanized plumbing, both of which are worth having evaluated during an inspection.
Does roof shape actually affect insurance rates in Florida?
Yes. Hip roofs typically perform better in wind events than gable roofs, and this detail is one of several factors documented during a wind mitigation inspection that can influence premiums.
Is thermal imaging included in a standard Florida home inspection?
Many Florida inspectors, including SelphGuard Home Inspections, include non-invasive infrared thermal imaging as part of every inspection at no additional cost, given how useful it is in this climate.