DOWNSPOUTS INSPECTION
During the inspection of this home’s downspout, the inspector observed that it is adequately sized and that the discharge is directed away from the building’s foundation and perimeter. Also, the downspout is not clogged, damaged or disconnected. This inspection is important because a functional downspout has the ability to protect the walls of the building from water which has a tendency to damage the wall surface thus causing localized erosion at ground level.
as seen in the photo above this gutter is defective. the gutter is bent and hanging away from the house and can cause water intrusion issues. The gutters current state will not allow for proper water drainage away from the house as the water will most likely overflow from this spot and land directly on the foundation causing pooling and possible moisture problems in the basement.
the Attic space has moisture and signs of water damage and if the problem does not get fixed. that can cause pest such as water bugs, termites and cockroaches. which can cause more problems and more money to spend on the home handle it while its small.
Pictured is the bottom corner of the garage grade door. Visible staining on the wood extension jamb, interior trim,and concrete floor Possibility of improper bedding under door threshold where water is leaking under threshold and wicking into end grain via capillary action.
Inspecting Residential Lot Drainage in Areas with Expansive Soils. Expansive soils can be difficult to deal with. These soils will expand and contract with the moisture available to them. This can cause costly problems with the foundation. A good piece of advice for the home owner is to water yard sufficiently to keep from cracking but this is not a proven or fool proof method. It is really up to the contractor at the time of building to design and landscape the property correctly but this rarely happens.
Aluminum is soft and malleable, meaning it is highly sensitive to compression. After a screw has been over-tightened on aluminum wiring, for instance, the wire will continue to deform or flow even after the tightening has ceased. This deformation will create a loose connection and increase electrical resistance in that location.
Condensation inspection:
Condensation can form on building materials when the surface temperature is at or below the dew point. The dew point is the temperature at which air will no longer carry water vapor.
Condensation can be a concern because the water can drip on to or intrude in to materials that can be damaged.
Typical areas of concern can be copper pipe carrying cold water through a warm, humid area or the interior of window and door glazings in cold climates during winter.
Inspectors should carefully look for signs of moisture in all aspects of the home. Efflorescence and staining are indicators of moisture intrusion. Efflorescence is different from mold or fungi as it is powdery and dissolves in water. It does not appear on organic material. This should
Be noted in the report for further investigation of moisture intrusion.
This photo was taken just after it rained and it shows how having an eight inch separation between ground and siding. You can see from the photo the damp line on the foundation wall from the water dripping off the roof. This particular home has a crushed stone drip edge around its perimeter help to move water away from the foundation.
Efflorescence by Ben. And Nick Gromecki discusses the rationale behind what efflorescence means. The Powderly white substance seen on cinder block or other porous materials are efflorescence and can be a sign of moisture intrusion and a potential cause of structural damage. Water can wick into concrete through capillary
Action up to six miles causing major structural damage. The key to preventing moisture intrusion through capillary action is through use of capillary breaks and sealants prior to the
Pouring of the concrete. All signs of efflorescence should be investigated for the source of moisture in order to assure structural damage is not occurring.
“Moisture Intrusion”
Moisture intrusion in a home can lead to building and health issues. Water and moisture can enter the house in many ways, most often construction/installation defects or short comings. Missing or improperly installed flashing on the roof, around windows/doors, missing vapor barriers and walls to wall penetrations in the foundation wall not sealed. Moisture can destroy a home, attention to detail needs to be taken when inspecting vital areas of a home.
as you can see here in the picture this siding has moisture damage from not being protected. anytime the siding is too close to the ground their is a possibility that water can intrude into the house. typically flashing is used to control water intrusion
what I learned from this course is anytime you have siding to close to the ground you need some kind of protection against water intrusion to prevent damage to the siding. mold is the most common threat to water damaged siding.
The image is of an oil-fired forced air cooling and heating system. Immediately noticeable is the water stains surrounding it. While no water was present at the time the photo was taken, further investigation revealed that the AC drain line was plugged and the pan it connects to (plastic) was cracked. This is a material defect that needs immediate attention.
Water proofing a basement is probably one of the most important aspects of protecting a home. Some very simple, common-sense practices can be utilized to help insure the basement is as free of water and moisture. Grading around the house and properly maintaining the gutter and downspout systems will greatly decrease the amount of water that can enter the basement/crawlspace areas. Beyond this eliminating air leaks and proper insulation and vapor retardation go a long way in ensuring a basement remains dry and comfortable.
For my course I had to write about a picture taken during a exterior inspection. I saw a picture showing roof flashing at the roof line. The picture shows the shingles nailed through the flashing. The could cause water intrusion though the nail holes.
The picture I chose was of a crawlspace located under a finished heater room. This is a venter crawlspace with 2 vents. There are two issues that need correction. missing vapor barrier on dirt floors and loose insulation. The missing vapor barrier will allow moisture intrusion to living space. The missing insulation will allow heat into crawlspace
I chose a picture of roof flashing at a roof line termination. The picture shows nails into through the roof shingles into the flashing. the nails through the flashing will allow water penetration into structure causing damage to building structure. Water intrusion can also cause mold in walls and interior wall and ceiling damage.
This is an image of a properly installed rain gutter downspout that has also gone above and beyond the typical installation. Having proper drainage is important for many reasons but primarily to prevent water intrusion into the home or basement.
Dryer Vent Safety - A vent that exhausts moist air to the home’s exterior has a number of requirements.
It should be connected. The connection is usually behind the dryer but may be beneath it. Look carefully to make sure its actually connected.
It should not be restricted. Dryer vents are often made from flexible plastic or metal duct, which may be easily kinked or crushed where they exit the dryer and enter the wall or floor.