Attic ladders can be a easy way to access your attic but in a lot of cases they are installed by the untrained home owner which can lead to dangerous situations such as 1st and foremost cutting a truss in the field to accommodate
The ladder whitch is a big no no also using drywall screws to attach or cutting the ladder to short or to long these ladders are probably better left to someone with the Knowledge to do so.
I inspected the exterior of this house. The exterior grade in the front shows good slope away from the foundation. The thickness of the pine bark in the flower bed may mask the level of slope.
The side yard has a good slope away from the house but the closeness of the two houses my restrict water flow in heavy rains, causing water to pool between the homes.
Vegetation around the house is trimmed and not to close to the walls.
A proper inspection extremely important when the surrounding ground is an expanding type material such as clay. Soil moisture control is of the upmost importance no matter what kind of foundation is used.
Properly constructed deep foundations can be built that will successfully resist the seasonal movements of expansive soils but today’s more common slab-on-ground foundations have footings that rarely exceed 30 inches in depth. In many areas, the depth of the expansive soils area can exceed up to 20 feet.
Inspection & Writing Assignment
Here we see two separate downspouts at the front corners of a house. There are no extensions and the concrete splash blocks have settled over time such that they no longer shed water away from the structure instead, they allow the water to puddle next to the foundation. The effects of this can clearly be seen from inside the crawlspace as organic material is growing on the plate, joists and sub-floor at these same corners of the house.
The moisture intrusion first needs to be stopped either by lifting up the splash blocks so that they shed water away from the house or adding downspout extension to discharge the water farther away from the structure. A specialist should then test and remove the substance growing on the structure.
Research Exercise
Asbestos Cement Siding Inspection article
Asbestos Cement Siding was widely used for a short period of time before it was banned in the 1970’s. It is a long lasting product with good fire and pest resistance. The fasteners may deteriorate before the actual siding does. Unfortunately is is brittle and contains, obviously, asbestos. Unless the siding is disturbed, the asbestos is not harmful. Chipping, sawing, grinding and sanding operations should never be performed on this type of siding as it can release asbestos fibers. When the fibers become free like this, a state described as “friable”, they can pose a health risk and are a known cause of cancer.
Acid Rain and Inspectors ( Buildings at Risk )
Acid rain is formed when chemicals such as, Nitric, Sulfuric Acids, Sulfur Dioxide (S02), and Nitrogen Oxide ( N02) combine with natural sources of acidic particles such as volcanoes and vegetation. The mixture reacts with oxygen, water, and other chemical including pollutants such as carbon dioxide.
Two thirds of all S02 and 1 quarter of N02 emissions in the atmosphere in the U.S.A. come from power plants, vehicles, and agricultural equipment that either rely on fossil fuel, primarily coal or gasoline.
Acid rain can be carried by rain, snow, frost, fog, and mist. The effects of acid rain can be seen on limestone, marble buildings, monuments, status, and headstones. It can corrode bronze, nickel, zinc, copper, and carbon steel.
The industrial age has significantly affected the rise of acid rain, which also causes global warming. The home inspector needs to understand the effects of acid rain and understand which building materials are affected and not effected by acid rain.
I have just read 10 ways to save in your home. It was a very informative article and one that I may share with my clients.
While inspecting a roof from the ladder, I noticed a downspout that emptied onto the roof. This will enable the roofing material to deteriorate faster and shorten the life expectancy of the shingled roof. I would recommend further evaluation and correction by a qualified contractor.
How to Inspect the Exterior - Essay article about “Attached Garage Fire Containment”
There are several things to look for when inspecting a garage. One thing in particular was the door leading from the garage into the residence. The door shall not open into a bedroom and should be a solid door 1 3/8" thick fire rated or 20 minute fire rated. The door should also have a step up into the residence, tight door seals, self closing, no pet doors, and no glass unless otherwise fire rated.
The landscaping of this property had proper drainage. The sidewalks were in good condition. There was a large spruce tree near the corner of the house which may cause to roof damage if not properly maintained.
Read an article on house wrap inspections. House wrap serves to minimize air flow but is not a vapor retarder. It is most beneficial in humid climates. It must be noted that if installed improperly house wrap may cause more damage than it prevents.
During a home inspection I identified this downspout. The standard is that the downspouts will discharge 4’-6’ from the structure. This particular downspout discharges only 18” from the home. This is a concern as the water discharging from the downspout can increase the groundwater to a point that it can eventually damage the foundation. This issue was flagged with a suggestion of having a professional extend the downspout to meet the 4’-6’ standard.
Hi Everyone. I took a lot of interest in the Lifespan chart. I think that it is very beneficial to both the inspectors, as well as the homeowners.
An example of the lifespan chart shows that the average dishwasher only lasts 9 years, while the average lifespan of ceramic tile is 70+ years. Just having this information gives an inspector a great idea of what to look for.
This is a picture of a single hung window. This window has fogging in the lower operable sash portion. This window has had some moisture intrusion and has failed and needs to be replaced.
Summary of How to Inspect Aluminum Siding.
Aluminum siding was once a very popular choice for exterior cladding but has been in decline with the introduction of other materials including vinyl siding. Since aluminum siding was installed on a large number of homes and is still used it is good for inspectors to familiarize themselves with the attributes of aluminum siding. Aluminum siding is both fire proof and weather proof if installed correctly but it can be damaged easily and takes a large amount of energy to produce.
The brick steps have mortar joints that are cracked and mortar missing. The open and cracked mortar joints allow water to penetrate which cause more cracking and deterioration. Bricks came come loose if not repaired which would cause a trip hazard. I recommend that the mortar joints be repaired.
The article is “Advantages of Solar Energy”.
Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. It is increasing across the world. It can be in many forms from individual systems to commercial systems. We need to incorporate solar energy into our energy systems to cut back on fossil fuels, which should help reduce air pollution.
I inspected this flip house that the buyers were told by theflipper that they were finished and it was ready to sell. The photo below showsthat the siding was coming off the house and the siding at the facias was alsomissing. I guess their idea of ready to sell and my idea of ready to sell are 2different things.
My research exercise is on aluminum siding, aluminum sidingis generally in decline as an exterior siding material because vinylsiding and other materials have become more popular choices. In Texas brick veneeris the choice and vinyl and aluminum siding is down on the list. Aluminumsiding is made from aluminum coil stock, which is chemically coated to protectthe metal and then painted for further protection, as well as aesthetics. After coating, the siding is baked for durability, with enamel often added tocreate desired textures. A few advantages of aluminum siding are; Aluminum siding is very lightweight, it is durable, itaccepts the application of paint well and can be painted any desired color, aluminumsiding does not rust, and it is fire and water proof. The disadvantages;aluminum siding can dent easily and the damaged area may be difficult to repairor replace. Although the siding takes the application of paint well, itmay need to be repainted every five to 10 years, scratches in the siding willusually be immediately noticeable and unsightly because they can reveal themetal surface below the paint, and although aluminum will not rust because it containsno iron, as opposed to steel siding, it can corrode.
On inspection of this home I can across some asbestos tiles that where broken on this houses exterior. The home owners tell me they are looking in to replacing them but are having a difficult time finding the same type of tiles. 