Upon entering the crawlspace I notice slight rust on the bottom foot of the water heater. As I looked around the foundation I also noticed water stains on the wall about 15" high. There is a working sump pump and no signs of current water in the crawlspace so I am going to assume that the issue may have been addressed but still will note the findings in my report.
In this picture of a metal roof you can see that the main metal roof covering sheet terminates right at the connection to the step flashing. Ideally I would like to see the metal sheet overlap the flashing a little better to avoid any water penetration.
reoccurring Moisture intrusion can be seen at the joint of the garage ceiling and the wall connecting the main living space. The roof flashing and shingles on the garage roof are cracked allowing water penetration. Recommendation a roofing contractor inspect and repair.
Once I pass this test I’ll have one class to complete to fulfill my requirements for the online training. I’ve also started the 80 hrs of hands on training. Luckily for me everything is coming together. I was worried doing all of the article reading about running a successful home inspection business that I was jumping the gun a bit. But the way the classes and the hands on come together are reassuring.
There are some dark marks on the underside of the plywood sheathing next to a skylight on my front porch. It appears these marks are from moisture intrusion due to failed skylight flashing. When I replaced the roof I installed new step flashing and hopefully took care of the moisture intrusion issue. I did not however replace the plywood sheathing as it is barely noticeable.
I read “Moisture Meters for Inspectors”, This article was very informative on the use of these meters.I can see the advantage of using one of these tools to help determine moisture intrusion in areas that may not be readily visible . I will be investing in one of these meters to improve my skills.
I read the article about Bathroom Ventilation, Ducts and Fans. I am interested in a few new technologies for bathroom ventilation. Many older bathroom exhaust fans are noisy due to lower quality motors being worn, dirty fan blades and poor fitting fan covers.
I have installed two newer style DC motor “Quiet Exhaust Fans”, they seem to perform well. I have them controlled by “Occupancy Sensor” switches from Home Depot ($20-25). So whenever someone enters the bathroom the exhaust fan comes on and stays on for 15 minutes after they leave. This serves to provide fresh air for the house and remove moist air and odors and is not dependant on the occupants turning a switch on.
In this image there is a section of gutter that has separated. It is full of debris and the downspout is no longer attached. This needs attention. Also above this gutter where the roof ends at the wall there is no kick out flashing. This area has some real moisture problem potential.
I chose the infrared photos. In these images i have learned that so many defects and potential issues can be red flagged simply by looking through a different perspective. This IR camera will be a must have tool for many insoectors.
Hi everybody,
I am very excited about taking this course. I hope to learn a lot and share what I’ve learned after I begin preforming inspections.
the picture shows a crawlspace under a home, there appears no signs of any moisture anywhere under the house. All areas are dry at the time of inspection. There are also no apparent signs of efflorescence noted at the time of inspection.
The control of noise in buildings can be achieved by understanding the basics of how sound moves through solid objects and air. Building materials have the most impact on controlling sound. Dense insulation, dense vinyl and dry wall that is not directly attached to studs. These will all help in controlling unwanted noise.
As shown with the encapsulation in this crawlspace, moisture is commonly found and mitigated in the walls of the crawlspace as well as the ground surface. If done correctly, these moisture trouble areas can be well mitigated if a proper understanding of the principles of moisture intrusion are understood and applied.
For this section of the course, I chose to study the Asphalt Siding image within the Exterior section of the online images. After carefully studying the image, I found a new appreciation for the concept of asphalt siding. If applied and installed correctly, this form of building envelope can certainly be quite a barrier to the outside elements.
Step and Kickout Flashing:
It is very important for a home inspector to know the flashing installation procedure and the correct material to be used (Step Flashing, Boot & Collar Flashing) in the houses. Be aware that Where the ceilings intersect walls is the critical point for flashing to prevent water leakage and damage.Home inspectors can check step deflectors and ceiling wall water baffles that help drain water away from corners of high risk where the walls are united with the ceilings.
The photo is of a door jam that that does not have the proper moisture barrier and flashing. This has allowed for moisture intrusion that has caused extensive damage to the door casing and structure. Proper installation of moisture management material, repairs of the structure, door jam and casing are needed.
10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home -
The information with regard to sealing and insulating your home and insulating windows and doors was particularly pertanent to the information covered in the How To Perform a Moisture Intrusion Inspection course material.
Moisture intrusion is one of the biggest problems related to premature deterioration of homes. Excessive moisture can lead to all sorts of problems including rot, mold growth, spalling in bricks, and flooding of basements. The best practice is to prevent moisture from entering the house in the first place.
Mold is more than a cosmetic problem for the homeowner. Mold can also present a health hazard to persons with some respiratory health problems. Mold indicates that there is high moisture content in the adjacent material. The easiest method to prevent mold growth is to keep the humidity lower than the point where it can grow.
