Caulking can prevent water damage. Caulk and sealants should not be relied on as the primary defense against water intrusion it is however extremely important that you maintain the caulk around windows and doors. Maintenance is as critical in water seepage and water damage preventive.
Subfloors, wall under layments and roof sheathing needs to have the seams sealed with caulk. Sealing and maintaining prevents moisture, insects, dust and air into a home. Unsealed seams and poorly maintained seals effective the cooling and heating systems of a home.
Efflorescence does not pose a major problem on its own, but it can be an indication of moisture intrusion. Homeowners may not be able to distinguish efflorescence from mold. The expense of a mold test can be avoided if the substance in question can be identified as efflorescence.
Well trained home inspectors know the difference and can save a homeowner unneeded expense.
If water intrusion occurs, you can minimize the damage by addressing the problem quickly and thoroughly. Immediately remove standing water and all moist materials, and consult with a building professional… Fast action on your part will help minimize the time and expense for repairs, resulting in a faster recovery.
A photo of a proper roof inspection for any noticeable water intrusion problems into the home that may affect moisture problems was studied. All flashing at sidewalls, chimneys, headwalls, valleys and vent stacks needs to be looked at for proper flashing practices. The roofing material needs to be inspected for holes, fasteners, cracks, or overall wear and tear on any roofing material. The gutters need to be inspected for proper location, debris in the gutter, overall condition, and proper discharge of the rainwater away from the home.
A window was inspected for proper performance to prevent water intrusion and overall sealing to prevent air loss. No noticeable water staining on the interior wood or surrounding drywall was discovered. The operation of opening, closing and locking were all functioning properly. The seals all were in good condition to prevent air intrusion or loss.
Water intrusion is both present and active in this basement. It could stem from a number of things, however some of the most obvious ones are a lack of gutters, negative perimeter slope, and cracks that need to be re-pointed.
This photograph depicts capillary action, which is a force that wicks water up porous materials from the ground. Capillary action can wick water up to 6 miles, when combined with salt it can be very destructive. Water can combine with salt as it travels through materials that contain salt such as wood, brick, stone and even the ground. When water and salt combine they create pressure on building material that destroys it. Capillary action can be prevented and mitigated by installing a capillary break, or by treating the affected areas through different methods. Idenifying is key to preventing further damage.
The article “Condensation Inspection” outlines the causes of condensation in homes, and ways to mitigate this problem. Condensation forms when the moisture in the air touches a cooler surface than the dew point causing water vapor to condense into liquid form. This moisture if left unchecked can cause major damage to homes as well as encourage mold growth. Metal which is a good thermal conductor is a very likely place for condensation to happen. Knowing this is a great way to start mitigating this problem, by either insulating the pipe or venting the area pipes are located in. Dehumidifiers are also an option. Condensation should not go unchecked, identifying is key to preventing future problems.
Hello, 16 classes down, 4 more to go!!!
The Side of a House ; In this photo you can see that the stucco or dryvit is well above the ground . There is very good distance between the ground and the wall skin or surface, There is also the correct ground droop of more than 6 inches to 10 feet of fall going away from the structure!
The Duplex 125 volt receptacle is the most common of receptacles used in residential Home . It shows on the device the amount of voltage and Amps used on the receptacle . Usually most common are 20 amp receptacles using 12/3 Copper Wire . Grounded receptacles are always used with a Ground !
I chose to write on the kitchen. The areas of the sink seem to properly sealed and show no signs of leaking. However upon checking the dishwasher I noticed that the unit was not secured and leans forward when the door opened. Stains in the basement ceiling directly below the dishwasher confirms the presence of moisture.
The article on moisture intrusion was very informative. It described the most common areas of moisture related problems. It also describes the little tell-tell signs of past intrusion. All in all the article was the perfect compliment to the course and really drives home the points from it.
This photo shows a defect on the roof overhang. The daylight shows a chimney that protrudes through the roof without flashing or a cricket. Cuts made on the overhang increase the decay hazard and can also allow moisture intrusion within the wall system. The inspector should inspect interior walls within the area as well.
Home inspectors are essentially inspecting for moisture intrusion. One way this can occur is improper installation or lack of proper flashing on the roof. A inspector needs to look for areas that the building envelope is punctured. The article that i am referring discusses methods kickout flashing is not used and is causing damage.
At first walking around the perimeter of the structure it was observed that there was moisture at the foundation coming from the bottom of the stucco wall. This area was behind the kitchen. This picture was taken under the kitchen sink revealing fungal growth at the drywall. Higher levels of moisture were detected with a moisture meter at the area as well. This was an indication of a leak in the wall possibly from the water lines for the kitchen fixtures. It was recommended to have a licensed contractor further investigate and repair the issue.
I chose the article: IR cameras; inspecting for moisture intrusion because this is a field more recently taken on by our company. The article explained the advantages of using the camera in addition to conventional methods. Such as, that it is easy and quick to use but may aid in locating moisture issues as well as the extent of the damage that would not normally be visible to the naked eye. Therefore, it is important to scan and take pictures of the more potentially moisture problematic areas. Although IR cameras can help identify issues by means of locating anomalies, the areas should be confirmed with the use of a moisture meter as well.
This is a crack in the garage slab and it is a shrinkage crack and not an indication of a major structural problem. An epoxy sealant is good solution to help prevent any moisture issues that could arise in the future.
