Originally Posted By: rharrington This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’m scheduled to do an inspection on a older home with a dirt floor cellar. Looking for advice on this before the inspection so that I don’t miss any thing. My thought is that the foundation inspection is a normal inspection. This obviously is a very old house.
Originally Posted By: bking This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
those older homes have some real problems with the floor struture that can vary from just being built wrong, damage during “upgrades”, rot, sinking or leaning pillars, water intrusion and the list goes on.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Dirt floor cellars and crawl spaces are much more likely to have moisture and pest damage. Check the sill plates carefully. Also, for walls more than about 4 feet high, check that the bottom of the wall is not moving inward.
(P.S. Joe ... Dan is kidding ...  )
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: aslimack This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Look for signs of powder post beetle damage. Most often, i see it on the lower side of the main beams. If you’re not familiar, you look for what appears to be holes the approximate size a bic pen would leave if you poked it into the wood.
I would not be bashful about poking around the structure with a screwdriver. (or whatever) Rotted sill plates, unusual settling, inadequate columns, wood to soil floor contact, deteriorating of the columns at the base, lack of a poly vapor barrier, asbestos (possible) on the heating ductwork or pipes....
Originally Posted By: rharrington This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Marcel,
You actually saw the pictures on another post. Where I suggested calling in the structural engineer. I spent a lot of time in that basement and crawl spaces. Lots of issues. I feel I did a pretty thorough job.
I recommended the engineer as you know due to handyman work and pest inspection just to protect herself because of the age of the structure and hidden rim joist (covered, not replaced, with a new rim joist) that may have hidden more rot or infestation.
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