Research & Writing Assignment:
Moisture Intrusion
Moisture Intrusion is a large issue with home inspectors and it is a major cause of issues for home owners as well. Everyone accepts the importance of keeping the interior of our homes dry but I dont think people are aware of the dangers of failing to win this constant battle.
Not only does moisture intrusion create and or contribute to home defects, it is also a liability that contributes to health problems.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The illustrations covered the many different type of mortar finished that can be applied to brick construction finishes. Different applications can affect the moisture resistance capabilities of the brick. proper installation is critical for best performance. Education and field instruction are keys for growth
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
What we have here is moisture intrusion onto a kitchen ceiling from Ice Damming on the roof. Because of improper attic venting and an unusual winter Ice Damming has occurred and worked its way through the attic insulation and through the drywall. There was unprofessional patch work done on the roof which did not prevent further leaking. A professional roofer needs to look at this and address the venting and leaking issues here.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The topmost row of shingles have been nailed through the flashing below. The practice of nailing shingles on top of the flashing creates more points of failure in the moisture resistant roof layer, and can lead to moisture intrusion, mold and/or mildew, and structural damage. Sealing the nails with roof sealant can provide a temporary remedy to this situation, but is not foolproof, and requires regular maintenance. For optimum protection, we recommend the flashing be replaced on top of the shingles.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Ice dams are a particularly damaging form of moisture intrusion. Ice dams typically form when a portion of the roof is above freezing, and a portion of the roof (usually around the eves) is below freezing. Snow melts above the +32 areas of the roof, and refreezes when it runs down to the freezing portion of the roof. Eventually, the melt water from the upper portion of the roof will be forced under the shingles and into the building envelope, damaging insulation and often causing ceiling drywall and wet insulation to fall into the home. To help avoid this condition, seal all attic penetrations from the conditioned airspace, and if appropriate, add insulation to increase the r- value.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Moisture Intrusion,this is the exterior door at the rear of the home.The weather stripping at the bottom of the door has failed,it is allowing blowing rain to gain access to the interior and to damage the door itself,correction by the homeowner or a contractor is needed.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Upon inspection of the basement I noticed a foundation leak that had been fixed previously. The wall still shows signs of water leaking in as you can see from my picture. You can see where water is still leaking down the wall, the patch also has wet parts and there is still some dampness on the floor. I would suggest this be further evaluated by a foundation specialist.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Insulating your basement can help reduce heating bills in the winter. Up to 50% of the homes heat can be lost due to uninsulated or poor insulated basements. Insulation if different from region to region in the USA. There are different types of insulation depending on the type of foundation your home has. You can insulate the foundation walls or you can insulate the floor. When insulating the floor you need to be aware of the pipes and HVAC.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Flashing can be made of many types of material like lead and copper, the most common type is Galvanized steel.There are multiple ways to install flashing so you cant just look at one method and call everything else a defect.The goal of flashing is to prevent moisture intrusion.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This home was built with slab on grade. The contractor used metal flashing as a water shield around the slab. As seen in the photo, there is a gap in the seam which needs to be sealed with caulking. This will prevent water from getting into that area and possibly causing water damage.
Research & Writing Assignment:
If the down spouts on a rain gutter system are too short, it can result in big problems. It is recommend to extend the discharge spout 4-6 ft. from the house. This will eliminate water from seeping down next to the foundation wall and possibly penetrating into the basement.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This bathroom exhaust fan is terminating to the soffit. This is a problem because the moist air that is removed from the bathroom is then dumped at an area where air comes into the attic space. Bathroom exhaust fans need to be ventilated to the roof decking.
Research & Writing Assignment:
It is important that the roof underlayment is installed over drip edge flashing at the eaves because the underlayment is one of the last lines of defense when it comes to water shedding. If the underlayment is installed beneath the drip edge flashing water can seep under the flashing and into the soffit causing damage.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Vapor barrier beneath floor. This was on a home with a moisture intrusion from a burst exterior faucet. The vapor barrier is a common inclusion in Oklahoma beneath wood floors on slab-on-grade foundations (monolithic or pier and beam). Despite this barrier, the wood floor buckled and overnight the walls, trim, tile, and structural components absorbed the water and through capillary action, carried it up almost three feet in some areas of the home. The barrier is meant to keep wood separated from moisture that is caused by the changing temperatures of the ground beneath the slab.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I have worked in commercial and residential roofing for more than a decade in Oklahoma. I have to admit that I have not seen this detail very often. It is an anomaly, I am sure, because it is definitely in the code. I understand that in commercial roofing it would be less common, however, it boggles my mind that this is so rare here. I remember a concrete tile roof with a stucco wall on the 2nd story that totally could have used this detail. It is good to see an image of a correct flashing. So far, in the several videos I’ve watched Ben doing where he has called out this defect in homes, I have not seen an actual properly detailed flashing.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The exterior grading is improperly sloped towards the foundation, and patches of water/ice were noticed sitting next to the foundation. Proper site grading is intended to keep moisture away from the structure. Water and ice can put substantial forces on the foundation causing structural damage as well as increase the risk of moisture infiltration which can lead to a host of problems including mold and decay of structural members. Site grading should be repaired to allow water to flow freely from the house, with a minimum of 6 inches of slope over 10 feet away from the foundation.
Research & Writing Assignment:
It is important for gutters to be properly maintained, including loose connections stabilized, clogged gutters cleared, and downspouts properly connected and discharged away from the foundation. Any deficiencies in the roof drainage system presents an opportunity for moisture to intrude, and cause damage to the home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Making sure that gaps and cracks are sealed is an important part of reducing the opportunity for water or moisture to penetrate the home and cause damage. One of the more overlooked places that should be properly sealed is the expansion joints in brick walls.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Mortar joints are an essential part of the brick laying process. Brick is a product that can last through the ages but mortar tends to degrade in time. The installation of mortar is crucial depending on how it is installed and can be water resistant aiding in the reduction of moisture penetration.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspection & Writing Assignment
A properly installed sump pump in the basement is designed to remove and water or leaks that have occurred. The sump pumps sends the water outside of the home a dispersing it away. A common issue with homes is the water not be routed correctly away from the home when dispersed.
