Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose the article on moisture intrusion. It described several ways moisture enters the home. It explains how climate can affect moisture levels in the home. Roof and plumbing leaks also contribute to elevated moisture levels in the home. Moisture can enter the home through several different ways and cause many types of issues for the building & its occupants.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Every home owner should know the 10 ways to to save money and energy on their home. Some if those items include installing a tank-less water heater, changing your light bulbs to incandescent bulbs, installing extra insulation and installing energy efficient windows and doors. Doing small items like cooking smart and running your dryer during low peak times will help you save money.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The vent stack is installed with a rubber steal around the pipe. This rubber seal is not worn or cracked and is used to prevent moisture from getting into the attic. it is terminated 6 inches above the roof. In South Carolina there is not over 6 inches of snow on average.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Today I am inspecting this bathtub for any signs of water leakage. The caulking around the spout and faucet appears to be in great condition and shows no signs of leaking. Nor is there any excess use of caulking used in this tub. The tile around the tub is in good condition as well.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Moisture intrusion can cause structural damage to house as well as health concerns for the occupants. Moisture can enter through a number of ways including air infiltration which accounts for 98% of cases. Roof and plumbing leaks are also common ways. Humid climates can also cause problems Many of these issues can go unnoticed for a long time. In bathrooms in particular it is important to have an exhaust fan and make sure it is used regularly. Its also important to make sure it vents out of the house and not just into the attic. There are many other ways to prevent mold and water intrusion. It is important to be diligent.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Making sure the water spout is not clogged is important to keep moisture out of your home. If it happens to be clogged, over flowing of rain water can get moisture inside the the house which can lead to mold buildup.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Buildings that are lacking gutters and overhangs causes all the water that hit the roof to fall right at the perimeter of the foundation. Which then moisture is being absorbed by the foundation when the ground near it is saturated
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Site drainage is essential in preventing moisture intrusion. The grade around a structure should slope six inches in the first ten feet to give water ample space to run away from the structure. In addition the grade should be at least eight inches below the siding of a house to prevent water from working its way inside the envelope of a structure.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose to read the article housewrap inspections and learned a few interesting facts about the subject. Housewrap also serves to minimize air flow through walls, though it is not a vapor retarder. In fact, housewrap is designed to stop liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through. This lets moist or humid air escape from the interior and simultaneously keeps water outside.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here is a example of a result of water intrusion. The roof began with a minor leak, and was not addressed. This resulted in a major leak that was only noticed when portions of the ceiling dripped on the home owner. The ceiling was then cut open to reveal ongoing moisture intrusion. This could have been avoided with normal maintenance.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article I read regarded moisture intrusion. The information was amazing when you consider that this is such a major issue in homes today and could be avoided with a normal maintenance program. It doesnt even need to be a high tech program, just a visual observance.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here we see an image that shows a watermark on the ceiling, common causes of water stain is gutters full or clogged causing water pool on roof, and roof damage. The leak could be at the point of bursting and you wont know how long you have until you find the source of the moisture.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Preventing water from entering the basement by ensuring it is diverted away from the foundation is of primary concern. Poor roof drainage and surface runoff due to gutter defects and improper site grading may be the most common causes of wet basements. Addressing these issues will go a long way toward ensuring that water does not penetrate the basement.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Damaged soffits
Roof has one or more sections of the soffit are damaged. When soffits are damaged they are able to allow moisture within the roofing system which could ultimately cause moisture damage to internal and external structure of the roof and house. Recommend qualified roofer evaluate & repair.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Sump pump operation and inspection
A sump is also known as a pit and is usually at the lowest part of the basement floor to capture flowing water from around the foundation of the house. A sump pump sits at the bottom of the pit and expels excess water through a discharge pipes to a suitable discharge location. The pump can sense water levels through a float that rises and falls with fluctuating water levels. The sump pump becomes activated and deactivated based on the height of the float, providing a simple, automated way to monitor and deal with variable water levels.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a classic example of carpet soiling where apparent darkened stains are an outline of the perimeter of the room carpets. This carpet soiling is throughout the home an evaluation of the ductwork and its leakage needs to be performed by a specialized HVAC Technician.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Central Humidifiers
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
Central humidifiers are hard-wired devices connected to the buildings plumbing and forced air heating system that humidify the air. Humidity in a building is important because it moistens the air and helps prevent the drying out of wooden products within the building and possible dry skin issues to its building occupants. Humidity levels should be actively controlled and monitored to prevent excessive or inadequate humidification. Indoor humidity can be affected by warm and wet climate conditions, so it would be beneficial to monitor indoor humidity preventatively to help eliminate possible mold and bacteria growth.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In the construction of the weather-resistant envelope system, there will be joints and seams that require or at least benefit from the appropriate use and maintenance of caulks and sealants.
In general, caulk and sealants should not be relied on as the primary defense against water intrusion at joints in a WRE system.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Aluminum wiring:
According to the InterNACHI home inspection Standards of Practice, a home inspector is required to report upon single-strand, solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring, if observed by the home inspector.
Aluminum as a metal, Aluminum possesses certain qualities that, compared with copper, make it an undesirable material as an electrical conductor.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of a proper separation between siding and the finish grade. It is more than 8" and, in this case, the finish grade is gravel covering a drain. This separation serves to prevent moisture intrusion between the siding and sheathing through capillary action.
