Originally Posted By: Aldo Marcozzi This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When we are inspecting Basement or Crawl Space, are we required to remove rim box insulation between floor joists to inspect plate, rim box and floor joists condition.??
If the insulation is removed to inspect that area it is called “Destructive”,?? do we get in trouble if the insulation is not removed and later damage was discovered in that area.?? or this is a job of a Licensed Termite Inspector.
I know our inspection is only visual, but if it is visual why removing the heater panel
Originally Posted By: nlewis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Aldo,
I always pull back the insulation at the rim joist at least below the front door or the sliding glass door and deck. Many times I have seen carp. ants or termites behind the insulation with no other evidence . Regardless of what any standard is, I think these areas have to be inspected to do a thorough job.
I don't really care if I destroy something like insulation if I need to move it to do the best possible inspection. I've never had a complaint about ripping out insulation from a box beam or between rafters. Yes, a major problem if the delaminated plywood sheathing is missed because insulation was undisturbed between the rafters.
IMO, if the inspection has to be alittle destructive to get the job done, I'm willing to field the phone call from the angry seller before the closing, rather than from buyer after the fact.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi guys,
I totally agree with Neal & Igor on this topic, moving insulation at the rim joist to see the structure behind is only common sense, and not only should it not be excluded under Sop’s, it should be mandated that we do it, as to Igor’s steel rod idea I love it, I was out with a local inspector last week who has cut the head of a golf club to do the same job he is fast as heck with it pushing the insulation aside probing the structure and pushing it back into place, all in about 5 seconds per bay
Originally Posted By: Aldo Marcozzi This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Guys
Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions. You guys who respond to my post are great. My point was to find out from you guys, if that procedures were "invasive", "common" or not required from SoP. The majority of us when performing an inspection, overpass the SoP.
I don't have to tell you, removing or not the insulation, since apparently every one of you are doing so, but I want to share my experience with others.
 Because I'm "nosy" (be an Italian I have big one )when I see insulation between floor joists on the rim box of a relatively old house, my nose tell me "watch out don't smell good there" and my nose is always right.
I thought, well can be balloon construction without fire stops or termite problem. So I started to remove the insulation. I was surprised! ! ! ! when I saw that the rim box was relatively new(2 x 8, 2 or 3 year old).
I did the front wall and right side wall of the house, all like that. Start removing the rear wall insulation when I discover the old (original) rim box.
Ha! ! ! my nose was right.
Because the 2 x 8 were new and cut between the floor joists, covering the original rim box I already suspected what they (Seller)did.
Now my nose get really pissed off. I went outside, cannot do it in the front wall because brick veneer, but in the right wall I lifted (a little...)the vinyl siding, my screwdriver went thru the sheathing and the old rim box.
The original front and right rim box, was completely (100%)damaged by termites. I believe, the seller did the work himself to hide the problem trying to cheated the future buyer and the inspector, NOT realizing that Inspectors are suspicious of every thing from the time we start the inspection to the end, and are trained to discover problems.
It is good practice to be suspicious and remove every thing that might be left or put there just to hide damage.
I appreciate, Mat, Neal, Joe H., Igor and Gerry suggestions removing the rim box insulation to investigate if it is any problem behind.
I believe, if we do more than the SoP wouldn't hurt, but if we do less it will.
Will be so educative to start a new Topic about what really go on out there. Let us know about odd things like this.
aldo
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
For anyone that is interested Professional equipment has a nice 25" probe so you would not even have to remove the insulation. Just thought I would share my two cents worth.
When we are inspecting Basement or Crawl Space, are we required to remove rim box insulation between floor joists to inspect plate, rim box and floor joists condition.??
Aldo, check out your nachi s.o.p. page 4 item B under limitations .Then item C