Foundation inspection in socal

Crawlspace:
Uneven soil. Littered Construction material debris. Plastic PVC plumbing pipe scraps, Sharp or pointed Concrete and stone rubble, lumber, bar steel. etc.
No vapor barrier.

Pour concrete foundation piers in cardboard concrete forming tubes.
Dimensional Wood lumber Columns atop poured concrete piers. Column Lumber not secured at the top or bottom.
Splits/cracks in Wood Beams. Suspect: Typical lumber shrinkage. Note: Checking can be a normal, unavoidable part of the wood seasoning process.

Insufficient soil water pipe support.

No adverse conditions observed the day of the inspection.

Make sure to cover all the flooring structural components. Pier, Column, Beam, Floor joists, Blocking/Bridging/Strapping, Sheathing and any defects or deficiencies therein…

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Which is it? “maybe” means that you don’t know. Jeffery already hinted at that.

I don’t know. I can’t see what is underground nor am I performing load calculations. But I do have concerns with what is visible which I listed.

@jjonas knows the nuance I speak of. And he made very valid point about weak narratives that are not definitive because the home inspector is afraid to commit.

My narrative was not weak, it listed specific concerns, potential consequence. I would add a specific recommendation of course.

But even then, I like @kleonard narrative the best. Which is why I brought up the question, was even all that info even necessary in my narrative? No, not really. It’s a style issue.

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The reason for my comment. I just don’t like the word ‘maybe’. I’m sure that I say things that you never would. Just adding my 2 cents about something I believe could hurt you. All’s good.

Maybe is an adverb that means possibly or perhaps.

May be is a verb phrase that indicates something might happen or a potential state of affairs.

You misquoted him and defined the word wrong.

Just sayin’.

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Dictionary

Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

pos·si·bly
adverb
2. in accordance with what is likely…

So in my context, it is likely that the footings are undersized, but should be further evaluated… I don’t see a lawsuit coming from that…

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I am always running the SoP in the back of my mind. Since I am not performing load calculations and I have visible limitations but still have a concern then “possible, likely, may be” are sometimes appropriate.

But the recommendation to repair should always be included. That is key IMO. This transfers liability to the buyer.

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I agree, when it’s obvious. But I also include when things need to be further evaluated by a “specialist”, that repair or replacement should be made on their evaluation. In other words, if something “appears to may be or possibly” wrong, and I call it out as needing to be repaired or replaced, and it doesn’t have to be, who looks bad? It really depends on whether it’s a faulty GFCI, or possible undersized footings or piers. Pretty much each situation is different, and the call you make.

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Thanks Robert.

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Yep, that happens. Sometimes we just don’t know or can’t see it. Or often with unconventional or atypical construction.

Case in point. Recently I inspected a 1959 home with a newly finished basement. They laid down a floating engineered floor system over the concrete slab. There were dips and low spots everywhere causing the flooring to be a virtual bouncy house. I have no idea what was going on under it but I did not like it. Could be poor floor prep and install or something worse. I elevated the concern with a big fat “I do not know, further evaluation”. It was probably a big nothing burger…but I was not hungry :smile:

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Ahh… but the difference here is you KNEW something was not right by your observations.

Whereas, Thomas simply threw out a comment that is based upon NOTHING than an attempt to CYA!

Always going to word it to CYMA JJ. Give me one reason I shouldn’t, and still within the realms of the SOP and protection for clients.

NEVER said you shouldn’t. Your choice of wording is my concern.
Remember… WORDS MATTER!
Ask your attorney!

I have and I’m surrounded by them. No worries from my end JJ… :wink:

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Im actually pretty suprised Mr.Jonas can spell attorney, :rofl:

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That’s harsh Jim!!! Don’t make him put you on “ignore”… :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue: :rofl: :shushing_face:

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My pleasure.

I’ve used the phrase many times too, “Check with your attorney.” In reality, checking with multiple attorneys is better advice, because you will usually get different opinions. And sometimes, very different opinions.

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there just wasn’t enough hate and discontent at the moment for my comfort zone…

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flowers - Free animated GIF - PicMix

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