Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Thermal imaging was used to show moisture issues under the roof coverings. The blue areas show normal roof signs, and the red areas show moisture build up under the roof and in the insulation. Damage is minor but needs to be addressed by a roofer before it spreads.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Thermagraphic roof inspections are a good way to show the quality of a new roof installation along with possible damages. Inferred pictures will allow you and your roofer to make informed decisions on the corse of action for the repair.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Not only can water get into your house and cause problems, but systems and appliances can cause just as much damage and can go just as unnoticed. Check your h-vac, dishwashers, sinks, tubs ECT. Anything that produced moisture, can cause moisture related problems.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Controlling water starts at the roof. Good roofing materials installed correctly with proper flashing, proper sealants and properly sized gutters gives you a good start on keeping water out of your house. In addition, you have to control where this water goes by making sure you have proper grading and are sending the water away from the foundation when it leaves the downspout.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
If finding moisture was this easy inspectors would not be needed. you can see the lines of many wetting and drying cycles. these appear to be from a couple of causes both leakage at ground level note the top of the wall, and wicking from the ground.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Moisture intrusion is perhaps the biggest risk to you and your home as a allergy sufferer I am super sensitive to mold and can smell it when I walk into a home. That being said, Mold needs moisture to begin and continue growing. Identifying the source is imperative to the client. I do not just rely on my nose but I would use it to suggest further testing
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspecting the kitchen is a very important place to check for moisture intrusion due to many pipes and water running through them. Check to make sure that these pipes do not have any drips or discoloration, this could lead to potentially growing mold and damage to fixtures.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Moisture intrusion can be the cause of building defects, as well as health ailments for the building’s occupants. Moisture can lead to many structural issues and cause pressure to concrete leading to flaking and lack of support to the structure.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Vegetation up right to the foundation. There is no slope away from the house either. Window sill has water damage and there is no metal fashing above the window. Upon further inspection, water damage was found inside the basement on the rim and walls.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When inspecting a home for water intrusion, make sure to not only check the exterior for leaks, but always remember that water intrusion can come from inside also. Leaky plumbing fixtures, appliance drains, and too much humidity can all cause moisture invasion.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Moisture control in a building starts at the top. The roof materials shed water down to the flashing and on to the gutters. The downspout should lead water away from the foundation and the siding should shed water to the sloped grade. A French drain around the foundation will assist in leading water away from the structure where it won’t cause any damage.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Flashing is an important component of a water drainage system. Vent and chimney flashing on the roof shed water to the drip edge on the soffet and ridges. Flashing on widows and doors protect openings in the siding. The ledger board is flashed too and bottom to protect the sheathing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A chimney cricket is a small peaked roof on the backside of the chimney that deflects water and debris away from the chimney. Crickets are incredibly important to protect the home from water infiltration at the chimney as well as deflecting water off of the roof. When a chimney has a width of 30 inches or more a cricket should be installed to help protect against any moisture that could come into contact with the chimney over an extended period of time. The cricket help prevent breakdown of brick and mortar as well as allowing water to sit directly behind the chimney.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
When inspecting an attic or crawl space be sure to keep an eye out for venomous pests. Bees and wasps, as well as snakes and spiders are common home invaders who can pack a punch. While inspecting, make sure you are looking all around with your flashlight and seeing what is beyond that next turn. Knowing what is out there is very important, and knowing how to respond is crucial.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The exterior of all houses have some type of issues that come up on an regular home inspection. In Florida, its mostly cracks in stucco. The houses in Florida are build on slab on grade foundation. No matter how well prepared a foundation is there’s going to be some settling of the home over time casing cracks in the stucco.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Decks, porches, balconies, verandas and patios are outdoor architectural elements that are often confused with one another.1) A deck is a large, raised wooden floor attached to the back of a house and contained by a perimeter railing for safety. 2) A porch is a wooden structure that forms a covered entrance to a doorway at ground level. 3) A balcony is a platform that protrudes from the wall of an upper floor of a building and is enclosed by a railing. 4) A veranda is a long, roofed, open gallery built around a central structure and supported by pillars. 5) A patio is typically a paved, roofless surface adjoining a residence that is generally intended for dining and recreation.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In my observation and inspection, I noticed that the concrete below the rake of the home was sloped toward the home instead of sloping away. I made a note of this and passed it on to the home owner in my report.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When doing a roof inspection, It is very important to look for properly installed flashing because if the flashing is done incorrectly or isn’t done at all, this can severely compromise the integrity of the roof which will in turn compromise many other components in the home.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Ant Inspection:
Ants look almost identical to termites. Their distinctive characteristics are found mostly in their wing, antenna and waist shape. Ants have a thinner waist compared to the termites broad waist and their hind wings are smaller in size than their front wings. Termites’ wings are almost the same size. The ants’ antenna are elbowed and the termites’ are more or less straight.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Found signs of moisture presence in house crawlspace.On the picture shown ground vapor retarder in form of polyethylene sheeting has dry water stains , some exposed ground that not covered completely by poly next to internal foundation wall . Concrete blocks in foundation wall have efflorescence marks on them ,meaning water diffusion problems and high humidity levels in this crawlspace.
