I’d be glad to do a footing inspection for a client, but have never been hired to do that. Rough-in is what I usually get. I suppose the builder would be just as agreeable to me doing a foundation inspection as they would to me doing a rough-in.
Are all inspections you do have an architectural drawing to dictate how it was supposed to be done?
Do you check for clearance of rebar to soil contact?
Do you check for the proper rebar diameter splice length?
Do you check for the proper clearance of rebar to the side of the formwork?
Do you check for wire gauge size of the wire mesh in the basement slab?
Do you check for the wire mesh lap splice required in the slab?
Do you check if the wire reinforcement is supported to be in the top 3rd of the slab?
Do you check to see if the vapor barrier is taped at all laps and sealed around all penatrations?
Do you check for any laying surface water before the pour?
Do you check to see if any signs of compaction or proof rolling has been done in the excated areas with footings.?
Maybe I could come up with a few more EH! :)
I see I opened a can of worms with this thread. I am just trying to learn and expand my knowledge base.
Mike, not as wide as should be to the standard might just still meet the minimum code of the IRC.
Wall being off an inch or so on a standard width footing, would not be of any concern to an engineer.
Not enough to create a moment differential.
I have to admitt you did a good job in picking those things up.
Very intersting post Mike.
[quote=“mcyr, post:22, topic:67272”]
Are all inspections you do have an architectural drawing to dictate how it was supposed to be done?
Yes
Do you check for clearance of rebar to soil contact?
Yes
Do you check for the proper rebar diameter splice length?
** I don’t even know what that is.**
Do you check for the proper clearance of rebar to the side of the formwork?
Who defines “proper”?
Do you check for wire gauge size of the wire mesh in the basement slab?
Never had a basement. Not yet anyway.
Do you check for the wire mesh lap splice required in the slab?
Wire mesh not required in slabs here.
Do you check if the wire reinforcement is supported to be in the top 3rd of the slab?
Wire mesh not required.
Do you check to see if the vapor barrier is taped at all laps and sealed around all penatrations?
Yes.
Do you check for any laying surface water before the pour?
I’m not there at the time of the pour.
Do you check to see if any signs of compaction or proof rolling has been done in the excated areas with footings.?
Don’t know what “proof rolling” is. I do the best I can, but an AHJ inspection not a fool proof process.
Maybe I could come up with a few more EH! 
In my report greeting I let him know that these are my opinions and the AHJ may allow for some variances due to various reasons and that he should consult with his builder and the AHJ.
It is my job to tell him my opinion and his job to decide what he wants to do about it. After all, he is paying about $800,000 for the house.
Thank you. Sometimes I think I may be to anal about some of these things, I just do not want to miss anything.
Sounds like you are doing a good job Mike, and nothing wrong with being anal with all the defects found by all inspectors.
It is time for some contractors to face a rude awakening in providing the service they are being paid for to do.
Good job Joe, and proof rolling is a term to define the act of compacting the disturbed grounds upon exavation and prior to setting footing forms.
It helps in provideing future settlement after the foundation is poured.
Mother nature only provides a compaction of about 85% if the dry density weight, compared to 95% compaction required for any structural support material imported.
Those are all excellent questions and what to look for an a pre-pour! That is what I look for on my inspection.
I have been taking more and more time going over the plans (when provided) and comparing what has been done onsite.
The last pre-pour inspection I had, I missed the fact that they misplaced the form at the entry. The result is that the door frame is in the “air”. I caught it on the pre-drywall (as it was obvious by then :oops: ) and they will fix.
I check for proper splice according to the plans.
Going into splice depending on the rebar Φ is more of an engineer’s job and although we are talking about residential construction, the splicing could still greatly depend on many factors like concrete strength, rebar diameter, whether any horizontal bars have concrete below it more than 12", Whether all the bars are spliced at once or staggered, the type of splice, whether the bars are stressed beyond a certain level, reinforcing yield strength, concrete cover over the bars, etc…
And I’m sure Randy Mayo could come up with many more. 
[quote=“wmisegades, post:31, topic:67272”]
Nice work Will.
After the the damage is done is a pour way to start.
Write it up in your limitations and continue the inspection.
Everything can be brought to code if the contractor wishes to go the mile.
Going to work for your money.
Fee for consultations sounds right.
After the the damage is done is a pour way to start.
Write it up in your limitations and continue the inspection.
Going to work for your money.
Fee for consultations sounds right.