Think of the foundation as the base upon which everything else of the house rests. But it’s not as simple as pouring concrete and calling it a day. Chapter 4 of the building code (the IRC) lays out the rules for building these critical structures, ensuring they stand strong and perform as intended. And the InterNACHI® Home Inspection Standards of Practice requires the inspector to check the foundation, basement, crawlspace, and structural components and report on observed indications of foundation settlement problems and active water penetration.
In this inspection training article, we’ll break down the building code – the 2024 IRC Sections R401 through R408, and learn how building code can be applied when building and inspecting homes.
Inspecting Foundation Fortitude: Cracking the Code for a Solid Home (IRC R401-R408)