This is a very extensive course and well written and provides excellent articles to the inspector homeowner and contractor.
I built an addition to my house using a pwf foundation about 6 years ago, using the Canadian guide to pwf foundations.
We have seen significant bowing of the exterior wall at the windows, according to code there were installed double king studs installed as well as the jack stud.
Backfill is 24" below the will plate, but is adjacent to the driveway and significant pressure and soil compaction have exerted extreme pressure on the wall component
Recommend removing backfill and anchoring wall system into the soil under driveway.
Solid brick vs. Brick veneer
Solid brick building require a lager footing to carry the load of a solid brick building. Solid brick structures usually cost more, due to the foundation and labor cost.
Brick veneers on the other hand do not require the same footing, but they do require some extra precautions when being installed. such as house wrap, metal ties, a steel ledger to hold the bricks in place above openings.
Both have excellent fire resistant capability, and with stand severe weather.
The first article I read was “Window Well Inspection”. This was an interesting article because window wells have their own unique way of inspecting them that differs from typical windows. Being that they are below grade, they have a huge tendency of leaking. It was interesting learning how they can flood by the covers becoming blocked. I wasn’t aware of all the safety reasons for the covers over window wells, so it was good hearing how the covers can be a protecting devices that prevents kids and animals from becoming trapped as well as a harming device if they become blocked.
The second article I read was titled, “Permanent Wood Foundations”. This article was extremely helpful because I always thought of the disadvantages of wood foundations. I was unaware of the stated advantages of PWF, like the designing of them to require dry soil making the wood walls dry and mildew free. I found this hard to believe considering that moisture would eventually reach the foundations when it rains. Also, another advantage being they insulate the basement making it warmer. I found these advantages a little shocking to learn.
Vinyl siding shown in this picture is the main type of siding used on the average house today. It is very durable and stands up to a lot of different conditions. The hole shown in this picture was probable caused by a rock spun up from a vehicle leaving the alley. This siding is on the garage. The damage was probably caused in the winter when the siding is more brittle. The only solution is to replace the broken pieces because the protective barrier is compromised and weather can now penetrate.
The first of my reading assignments is on Kickout Flashing. It is important to have proper kickout flashing on homes where the roof and wall intersect. The flashing should be water tight to prevent water from getting into the wall. Look to make sure the homeowner has not altered the flashing in any way.
The second of my reading assignments is on Permanent wood foundations. Wood foundations cost less the masonry ones but don’t last as long. The foundation on a PWF must stay day. The wood foundation is easier to insulate but you can also insulate the masonry wall.
This type of siding was used for many years and can be still found on older homes. It is basically safe if left undisturbed. The main failure of this type of siding was the fasteners letting loose or deteriorating. Tiles can be broken easily but in normal weather conditions they will last a long time. It is the type of siding which a client should be kept aware of and to keep an eye on for possible failure. If it does have to be removed it must be done by a professional.
Aluminum Siding Inspection
Aluminum siding started to fade out in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The main reason it isn’t used much today is because of cost. In most areas it is replaced with vinyl siding. It was always a good siding with minor drawbacks. In some areas of the country insurance companies will not use it as a replacement material because of the possibility of hail damage. For this reason most companies will not use it for new or retrofit on homes in those areas.
For this I inspected the siding and the eaves on the exterior of this home. This home has vinyl siding. I did not identify and defects or damage to it. There was appropriate J-channels used around windows and door openings, and the siding was an acceptable distance above grade around the perimeter of the home.
The soffits and fascia were also capped in vinyl and appeared to be in good condition. The soffits were vented to allow for airflow into the attic space.
Here is a picture of a roof and chimney. The chimney has already been damaged by the massive tree. I recommended the tree be trimmed back. The tree will break the chimney off in a high wind. The branches near the chimney are twice the size of a baseball bat.
I’ve read through both the articles on Wood siding and Aluminum siding.
Wood is one of the most popular forms of home siding due to it being more visually appealing and natural looking compared to synthetic materials. With this however comes additional maintenance needed far more regularly then synthetic materials. It must be repainted or resealed every couple of years. If it isn’t done wood will be more susceptible to water damage and insect damage which could cause other problems.
Aluminium siding is another popular form of siding that inspectors will find. It is not used nearly as much now, as it was during the 40’s through the 70’s. It is lightweight and durable. It can last 40 years or longer if well cared for. As for disadvantages the siding can be easily dented, and any damaged areas can be difficult to replace or repair due to it’s lack availability. And now it it has just fallen out of favor for aesthetic reasons.
This siding is on an enclosed sun room that is attached to a home. There was indication from the interior of the sun room that there was water penetration from the exterior of the home. If glancing at the exterior siding, this area is not readily visible because there are shrubs that are concealing the siding. Upon looking closer and moving the shrubs back away from the wall, then this is what was revealed. There were additional issues with the siding on this sun room that were traced back to issues with the type of roof covering and lack of gutters to help divert the rainwater from the home. The buyer is going to demo the sun room and have it properly rebuilt.
A common occurrence with pull down attic ladders that I have experienced is when the ladders are installed on a carport on the exterior of the home and there is no locking devise installed on the ladder to prevent an unauthorized person from opening the ladder and entering into the attic. There have been instances when a person with bad intentions will open the pull down stairs on a carport and then enter the attic and drop down into a room in the home and steal from the home. I always inform the buyer of this potential issue and tell them to get creative with their locking devise. I don’t recommend using wood screws to attach the lock to the door and frame because they are easily removed. Using small bolts with lock washers and nuts on the bolts is my recommendation.
Dealing with tobacco odor and the residue from the cigarette smoke is a very challenging issue with me personally since I am a non smoker. On vacant homes that I have been in where smokers inhabited the home, which they do have the right to smoke in their home, one of the first things I do is open windows and doors if the weather permits and begin to ventilate the home and get some fresh air moving. I have been in occupied homes with the homeowner present and smoking while I am inspecting their home and it can be a distraction because of the frustration of smelling the smoke. Inspecting and dealing with components inside a home that are sticky and discolored because of the tar residue is a challenge. I will typically leave my tool box on the porch or in the garage because I don’t want the odor to get on my stuff. I wear Latex gloves and shoe covers while inside the home and I always keep coveralls and a spare change of clothes with me. I don’t want to take anything from the home when I leave and that includes odors.
I chose this article as a large portion of the exterior inspection course goes over moisture intrusion and insulation. Moisture prevention can be a huge factor in cost savings in even the short term.
Insulation is more of a filter of air but not a air blocking method. Preventing air to escape using weatherstripping can be a huge advantage and cost savings.
Methods such as weatherstripping doors and windows and caulking any openings help keep the thermal envelope sealed and efficient.
I chose this article as it relates to energy efficiency. Also, the comments in the article go over something extremely important, which is maintenance and even having a maintenance contract can secure long term success with the system.
Just as home inspectors should be offering maintenance programs and yearly inspections, it is especially important for HVAC companies to perform these procedures. Rather than have a small part cause a large issue, I feel maintenance is extremely important.
This photo shows multiple defects discovered during the exterior inspection. The boiler has been incorrectly exhausted through the wall. This has created a condition where exhaust gases enter the attic space. This presents a safety hazard and should be evaluated and properly vented by a qualified technician. The additional defects as a result of the exhaust fumes include corroded fascia metal which is nearly exposing the wood fascia board beneath. Soot from the vent has created a cosmetic defect on the vinyl soffit.
There is significant settlement type crack in the patio, near the foundation. It appears one side of the slab has dropped. This also may contribute to water infiltration. If the soil below the slab has settled, or it was not properly compacted, this condition may worsen over time. Recommended having a qualified contractor make repairs as necessary so perimeter pavement slopes down and away from the structure.
I read articles on Inspection Manufactured Stone and Garage Doors. For garage doors the reality is they are most likely the heaviest and largest moving component in any house you will inspect. Critical items are ensuring retainers are in place to protect against spring breaks and ensuring the photo sensors are properly installed and functioning at the base of each door. Manufactured stone inspections are critical as unlike brick veneer where there is an air gap, manufactured stone is installed against the sheathing so water intrusion can be detrimental. The presence of proper flashing and weep screeds is extremely important. Even if no cracks or water damage are present an improper installation is likely to result in water intrusion that can affect the sheathing and structural members.
