Research & Writing Assignment:
Water seepage found in new construction crawl space. Tar is rolled onto foundation, is thin, and is not an impervious water barrier. Downspouts empty at foundation. Grading is sloped negatively toward foundation. Make grading slope positively away from foundation, extend downspouts 8 to 10 feet from house. If seepage continues, a foundation waterproofing company should repair.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read the article on Shrinkage Cracks in Concrete and most of the cracking caused by shrinkage appears to be only cosmetic. Although, depending on the mixture and time of year, the cracks may be of a little more importance and not be a shrinkage crack.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
As you can see by the picture I discovered a crack on the exterior of this residence. The crack appears to be superficial, but I was advised by the home owner that this stucco is fairly new and before the stucco was applied there was a crack in the wall. I can conclude that this crack reappeared due to a lack of preparation on the behalf of the stucco contractor. I would advise the client of the issue.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This home appears to have severe foundation problems. There is a drainage problem allowing water to leak into that particular corner. Could be a bad downspout, improper landscaping etc. Both walls also appear to be buckling in the middle due to the earth on the opposite side applying pressure to the wall. This should be assessed by a structural engineer.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Permanent wood foundations, even though the are an accepted means of foundation construction, don’t seem like the greatest idea. I understand the cost and time savings but in the long run just don’t seem like they would stand the test of time. Water and rot seem like too big of a concern.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture shows (other than a sleeping squirrel) the foundation wall is clad in brick veneer and cannot be inspected directly from the outside of the home. The brick veneer comes into contact with the soil. There should be a 4 inch separation of the last row of brick veneer and the soil with the soil graded away from the building. This should be remedied. Examination of, as well as monitoring of, the crawlspace for water intrusion is recommended.
Research & Writing Assignment:
“Residential Foundation Insulation”
Foundation insulation can increase the cost savings as well as the comfort of the inhabitants of a home. There have been significant advances construction efficiency as well as the efficiency of home systems. In order to take full advantage of these advances it is a good idea to use foundation insulation. There can be some drawbacks to foundation insulation. Such as the masking of pest infestation as well as the increased difficulty of treating such infestations. Also important is proper installation or poor installation can cause the loss of effectiveness of the insulation. It must also be taken into account that other home systems may need adjustments such as plumbing insulation or heat tape.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here we have an image of a precast concrete wall panel system. The panels are precast and cured in a factory environment. This saves time in the field. A typical foundation can be erected in under 8 hours. Some are cast against foam insulation adding additional R value. The panels range in size from 2-12 feet wide and 8-12 feet in height. Since the walls are cast in a temperature controlled environment the panels are also much stronger. The mix will harden to approximately 5000 psi.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Insulating residential foundations. Today foundations are much more energy efficient than those built years ago. There are many different types of ways to insulate. This essay is going to focus on the full basement type. These foundations can be insulated on the inside or outside. Inside the walls, typical 2x4 framing can be used along with batting insulation and a vapor barrier covered with drywall. Second option is use expanded polystyrene directly onto the exterior walls. The expose above grade insulation must be protected from all weather elements. Third option is to use a foam form foundation system which are set on conventional footers.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Foundation Inspection:
Exterior:
You can see in the above picture that the north exterior wall has cracked from the bottom of the window to the left side of the foundation vent. This crack is not affecting the foundation. This is a common issue for clay brick homes in Alabama because of moisture getting trapped against the house. The crack is also not the result of settling. You can see in the above pictures that the interior window has no vertical or horizontal cracks. The floor would also show evidence of sagging and I saw no evidence of this. The actual cause of this is the brick. When fire brick is manufactured all the moisture evaporates and this is the smallest the brick will ever be. The bricks are then install and start being exposed to moisture again. Once this starts to occur the brick start to expand and can cause cracks like this if the brick is not installed properly. A good example is that a clay brick wall exposed to moisture can expand and grow up to .50 to 1 on a 40 wall pulling weak areas apart. This is a cosmetic issue and needs to be repaired using my method below.
Repair method:
The common method of sealing brick will not fix this area. The area needs to be like an expansion joint, so it can flex. The contractor is to use a flexible foam rope material called backer rod. Then the contractor is to caulk the area to keep rain out.
Research & Writing Assignment:
all of the major problems i have found with foundations comes from poor workmanship. most people want a house built at low cost, so the contractor has to cut corners. not enough to break the law, but just enough that a few years later the short cuts are very noticeable.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Wall
Garage left front brick wall with no visible damage. Brick have no visible signs of moisture damage or spalling. There are no masonry cracks in the foundation due to soil settlement. Base has diagonal crack not due to soil settlement. Mortar in good condition and shows no signs of deterioration. Crack along base should be repaired.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Bricks and Mortar deterioration
Bricks and mortar are damage by mechanical and/or chemical means.
Mechanical damage happens when bricks and mortar absorb moisture that freezes.
The freezing moisture expand causing cracks and chipping
The chemical damage is due to the absorption of chemical into the bricks by way of the soil. Chemical damage is internal and causes external sign of flaking or dusting of brick.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Retaining wall made of brick and observed no defects in the wall itself. The ground is undermining the retaining wall and is compromising the integrity of the homes foundation. The slab is upheaving from water runoff. Recommend review by a qualified professional.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of the block foundation wall from our home which was built in 1960. The wall is in good repair and structurally sound. No evidence of bowing or sweeping is present in the foundation wall. Also the wall does not exhibit structural cracking.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I looked at the diagram showing the proper distance of treated lumber to grade on a foundation pier. the diagram shows the minimum distance of eighteen inches from joists to grade and twelve inches from treated beams to grade as the acceptable ranges.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Asbestos cement siding inspection by Nick Gromicko.
There are some really great benefits to using the asbestos cement for siding like the fact it doesnt soak up water like wood. If found on a home, I would recommend it be monitored closely or removed by qualified contractor, if any chips or cracks are observed.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This image is of a crawlspace. There is a vapor barrier installed over the entire ground and well up the perimeter walls and piers, this will prevent moisture and radon gas from entering the structure. The girder is fasten to the piers with metal straps and is above the minimum 18 inches above the soil. The floor is constructed of plywood over wood trusses. The plumbing waste line is properly supported.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Crawlspace Hazards and inspections have many conditions that can be harmful to the home as well as the inspector. You should never enter a crawlspace without proper personal protective equipment. Because crawlspaces are mostly unmonitored, hazards can breed there unchecked for long periods of time. Some of the hazards that could exist are; mold and fungus, that is a health issue and a cause of wood decay, pest, spiders termites, carpenter ants, and wildlife, like snakes, rats racoons. Before entering a crawlspace tell someone where you’ll be and have an exit plan. The structure itself may be unsafe, damaged piers or support beams. Confined spaces are usually poorly lit if at all and because you can’t stand moving fast could be an issue in case of an emergency exit.
