The article “Basic Waterproofing for Basements” shows the readers that it is important to find a way to waterproof the basement in a home. Mostly this is because the basement is where the most water damage tends to occur. Primarily, it is important to prevent water entry by diverting it away from the foundation. It is also important to repair all cracks and holes, and finally, apply sodium-silicate sealant to the walls and floor.
Garage doors and openers. The article lists garage door components, possible defects and safety hazards along with adjustments for improved safety. It also lists approved methods for testing door reverse functions including a hand pressure test and a wood block test. I found the article to be informative which will help me to perform a proper garage door inspection.
This photo shows that the garage door safety sensors have been improperly installed near the ceiling above the opener. They were also wrapped with duct tape to hold them together. I’m not sure of the purpose of the poly rope in the photo. This is a major safety defect. The sensors and brackets need to be moved down to the sides of the garage door, within 6" of the floor for safety.
During my inspection of the garage at this particular property, there were multiple openings in the garage firewall. I informed the client when I was going over the report and basically told them that all penetrations, voids, or gaps in the garage firewall should be sealed.
Lawn Sprinkler Contributing to Deck Post Decay:
At some inspections, this is very common, and most of the time the client(s) or sellers are aware of the damage that can be cause by a sprinklers over-spray. It’s the best part of the inspection though, educating the clients.
The garage furnace was installed less than 18" above the floor. Current building practice requires that such possible ignition sources be a minimum of 18" above the garage floor. At the time of the inspection information was not available to help determine if the furnace was properly rated for installation in potentially flammable atmospheres. Recommend service and full evaluation by an HVAC professional to help improve safety.
Material Defects Defined for Home Inspectors provides a working definition of the term and explores some findings that illustrate the concept. The article also cautioned against over reporting e.g. listing some items that are well worth reporting but do not meet the conditions to be called a material defect. We express opinions based on our experience, education and training but also conditioned on our ability to safely and visually examine the items/conditions in question.
As said in the course, the door going into the house from the garage must have or is recommended to have a self closing device. This one is on my home and is only the second one that I’ve seen since I’ve been doing inspections. I always note this on my reports and tell the clients that it is recommended that they get one installed. I always tell them that if they are carrying groceries in and the car catches on fire the door will be closed and it gives them time to call 911.
I stayed with the garage inspection article, and have read it before. It actually brought back memories of a garage I had inspected that had the same type of hangers with screws and loose nails. I makes you wonder how the city or county inspector gave them the final with such crap work.
the picture of the garage door opener,is a component of this system, the opener is the main component that makes the door operate. it has many safety features that keep people and animials from being injured by the operation of the door opener
GFCI,s are receptacles that are designed to protect people from electrical shock when properly installed.they also help to protect all people when installed outdoors and in garages, bathrooms and various other required places. they are life saving devices when installed properly
Several plumbing vent penetrations on rear roof elevation noted to be missing mastic / rubber boot collars at flashing connections.This condition could allow moisture intrusion and damage into attic space. Recommend further evaluation and correction by a qualified roofing contractor.
Carpet in Bathrooms; Even inspection newer homes of today I occasionally find carpet installed in the bathroom areas. This installation in most all cases will turn to moisture damage to the wood structure and health issues in the bath area at some point in time. Moisture in the bath areas from tubs, shower doors and toilets gets trapped under the carpet and in the underlay material and promotes mold growth creating unhealthy conditions and also promoting moisture damage to the underlying wood sub flooring and structure. During inspection of bath areas with carpet I always use my moisture meter on the floor in front of Tubs, showers and around toilets to check for elevated moisture levels and I will also slightly lift the carpet at the corners at tubs and shower enclosures to see if there is any moisture damage to sub flooring. If I note elevated moisture levels or moisture damage to sub flooring I recommend further evaluation by qualified contractor to determine the extent of damage and repair replace as needed.
During an inspection, there was no safety sensors installed, which should be no higher than six inches above the ground. We recommend a qualified garage door contractor and/or electrician for installment. This poses as a crushing and safety hazard for adults, kids, and animals.
There should always be a fire proof door leading into the home from the garage supplemented with sealed drywall. In addition, there should always be a type of egress via a door or window for a fire hazard. Finally, the receptacles should all be GFCI protected within the garage and during the inspection observed and tested.
Recently inspected home with Safeties mounted above the garage door opener. I would guess that about 1 in 25 may be like this in my area. Most often I home owner installation. People with Children jump all over this, but older adults just don’t seem to care
“My Essay” Basement wall bowing. From the picture on wall bowing I most generally attributed the bowing to improper back fill or moisture related such as hydrostatic pressure on the wall. I never thought about idiots using large boulders or chunks of concrete to back fill. Until its dug out, I guess you never know what is down there.
this image is of a carport as you can see roof is at a dip in the middle right side from missing 2x4 from under side of roof . can not see missing board from this view . inspection live - in house .
Engineered wood . engineered wood is any wood product that is considered all wood . Also called composite wood , man made wood , or manufacture board . includes a range of derivative wood products which are manufactured by binding or fixing the strands particles and fibres.
Did you know that pooling water is a leading cause of foundation problems?
Maintaining clear gutters and proper grade around the foundation is a critical maintenance issue that can prevent costly water related issues. Standard Grading Guidelines: The ground near the structure should slope away from the foundation to keep water from ponding or pooling which could cause settlement problems over time. Standard guidelines for grading are a 1" drop per foot for 10’ from the foundation with a minimal clearance of 6-8" from the bottom of the siding. This helps ensure water is flowing away from the house while also preventing infiltration of the structure by water or insects. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed to provide a minimum of 12" clearance to siding to prevent damage, allow proper drying and prevent potential pest infiltration.