Report on damage

Originally Posted By: Russell Stephens
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Do any of you elaborate on damage when you see it, (rot, termite, other wood destroying pest.)


What I mean is do you explain how bad the damage is or do you just note the damage and recommend a structural engineer.

Also what about foundation damage cracks etc.. do you offer any explination or just note the crack etc.


Originally Posted By: gbeaumont
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Hi Russell


your question is one of the more difficult to answer, as every inspector has a different set of standards based on knowledge and experience of indevidual systems.


For myself (and taking your first senario) I would always recomend that rot or evidence of WDI be further evaluated by a proffesional contractor, but I would only recommend that a proffesional engineer be called in if I felt that the degree of damage that was visible led me to belive that there was a danger of structural failure. If not let a contractor get into it and if he feels that based on his “invasive” testing that the system is failing it is his call as to whether he needs the advise of a PE.


Your second senario is what I call the black art icon_lol.gif that is trying to understand what is going on with foundation cracks. to be honest it takes me an hour to discuss in a class room enviroment the ins & outs of this one, but you need to get educated on the following: What is a shrinkage crack ? What is a settlement crack ? what is a new/recent crack ? What is an old one ? How to tell the difference ? Does the crack show any vertical or horizontal displacement ? Are there coresponding cracks seen in other areas of the foundation ? I could go on and on but I'm boring myself let alone anyone else icon_lol.gif
My Final thought on foundation cracks is if in doubt based on knowledge of the above (and if you see ANY horizontal cracks, call in a PE or specialist foundation contractor.

Regards

Gerry


--
Gerry Beaumont
NACHI Education Committee
e-mail : education@nachi.org
NACHI phone 484-429-5466

Inspection Depot Education
gbeaumont@inspectiondepot.com

"Education is a journey, not a destination"

Originally Posted By: Russell Stephens
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thank you Gerry for your responce. I see I still have alot to learn.


Originally Posted By: gbeaumont
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Hi Russell, if it’s any help we never stop learning, the second you think you know it all… retire before you prove that you don’t icon_sad.gif


Regards


--
Gerry Beaumont
NACHI Education Committee
e-mail : education@nachi.org
NACHI phone 484-429-5466

Inspection Depot Education
gbeaumont@inspectiondepot.com

"Education is a journey, not a destination"