This is an image of a foundation settling issue. Crack was noticed while performing exterior inspection. Although it couldn’t be verified wether the crack extended all the way to the footing, due to basement being finished, it is safe to assume that that is the case. This issue should be repaired by sealing the crack from outside to prevent moisture, as well as insects from entering the house. The crack appears to be around 3/16’ths in width. It does not appear to be recent, which may indicate that house might have stopped settling. This should be brought for further evaluation by a structural proffessional.
Rebar is used in a typical house foundation as reinforcement, preventing conctete from craking uncontrollably. Rebar without concrete, and concrete without rebar doesn’t have enough strength to support a structure. You can refer to rebar as bones in body. They give it structural integrity. Rebar needs to be properly installed with appropriate clerances to elements, to prevent it from rusting and damaging concrete. Great care must be taken when installing rebar to prevent injuries. Workers can fall onto exposed rebar and impail themselfes. Caps and other appropriate safety mesures need to be used.
This is a picture of our basement floor. We have never gotten too worried about this crack since our basement is 2,000 sq. ft. We do have plans to fill them properly though.
Ceramic tile and stone inspection.
I am sure we will run across a fair amount out tile while out inspecting. We actually have had it on our countertops for the past 17 years. I do acid wash and seal it from time to time. It is super tough and I love it even though it should be updated and I probably won’t tile again. Nothing hurts it at all, that’s what I love the most.
Kimberly Lien
Infared cameras.
I picked this article because I’m not for sure yet if we will offer this service. After reading it I do think it would be smart to train in it and offer it. I was surprised to read all the different things it can detect. Sounds like a great tool.
Kimberly Lien
I’m in the process of taking the structural issues coarse on the website. I have found the coarse and topic very well presented compared to other CE programs I have taken part in. I’m looking forward to learning more from Nachi.
I chose the aluminum wiring article. I have always thought the CO/ALR devices were the better choice compared with pigtails as they are manufactured specifically for this application. However, after reading this article I will have to give the subject a second look. I will also add some wording to my aluminum wiring statements regarding the appliance and light fixture connections.
Attn: Course Instructor.
Re: ‘Structural Issues for Home Inspectors’ Course - Student Introduction.
Hello, I am a new to this course and hope to get out of it as much as I have in the other InterNACHI courses I have taken. I appreciate all that you (the instructors) continue to do for us.
My name is William E. McCraw; most everyone calls me Sonny. I am an actor and an artist by trade. I have been many things in my life; and have worked general labor; as a handyman or in construction most of my life.
Recently I have fallen in love with welding and metal art. I also enjoy making certain people get an honest and fair deal for their investments. I feel that the home inspector can give the buyer a clear look at the facts as they invest into buying a home.
I can’t wait to begin this new venture as a home inspector.
The vertical crack shown as per the attached picture shows us a possible old crack.
It is hard to determine how far the crack travels below grade and also how far up it goes due to the soil and the siding of the house. There are no other visible cracks around the home. It is possible that this crack is due to settlement however it is recommended that an inspector or engineer that is certified or qualified to Asses the situation do so at the earliest convenience. Lastly, it is possible that bugs and water could penetrate and enter thru this crack.
Structural Design of Foundations for the Home inspector.
I decided to read the topic below because I was still highly interested in the Structural course I just finished, it is important for inspectors to know their region and the material that will work best in that area, because of the many different ways a home could be build.
Structural Design of Wood framing for the home Inspector.
According to the article, wood is most commonly used to make homes in North America. The system of a home are quite complex but together they can withstand the loads it produces for as long as the manufacturers use the appropriate material.
I don’t have any photos of strucrual cracking around my home (thank goodness) but I do around my work. Our parking lot is a mess due to slab movement. Tons of cracks and openings everywhere as the foundation has slowly heaved and ebbed.
The two articles I read were on pricing for home inspection services and Window Films. Pricing a home inspection boils down to how much do you want or need to make to be profitable versus what are the competitors charging. Here in our area a home inspection ranges between $275-450 per home depending on size and what the inspector covers. It seems most in this area fall in the $300 category.
While I am a big proponent of charging what you are worth, some people will purchase based on price alone. I feel it is the old supply and demand battle. If there are many home inspectors looking for work the cost will drop. If there are few then the price will rise. It’s less of how much you want to make and how much is being charged and more about how many people are looking for a job.
Concerning the window tinting the article briefly goes into a few different types of window films and which is the most popular. I personally have put window tint on about a quarter of my windows at my home (the ones facing the sun most often) and have noticed a huge difference in the heat generated in our home. I live in Florida so heat is the enemy here. I find it well worth it and when I generate some more income I’ll do the rest of the windows.
This is a picture of a crack at the corner of the window. The crack starts at the corner and stops at the receptacle. The are no other cracks at the top or sides of window nor does the crack continue from the bottom of the receptacle. The crack does not “transfer” or show on the interior. The window functions properly and there is no cracking along the drywall and window.
Cracks are signs of foundation movement.cracks that are new indicate a problem and possible stucture damage.These cracks may let moisture in and this can adversly affect the structural value of the dwelling.
Concrete homes account for approximately 1/6th of all new homes built. The use of concrete has many advantages. Some of the advantages are: concrete homes tend to be stronger than frame homes and are more resistant to hazards such as hurricanes, tornados and floods, concrete homes are superior to resisting fires in the home because it is not a fuel source like a frame home, concrete homes tend to be more durable and last longer then wood frame and concrete homes are quieter then frame homes. While concrete has these and many more advantages over frame homes they can come at a cost, approximately 3 to 5%.
Concrete Admixtures
Concretes main ingredients are water, an aggregate and Portland cement. There are additives that can change the properties to meet different weather, workability or weather conditions and climates. They are classified by their functions and properties. They include retarding, accelerating, water-reducing, air-entraining and super-plasticizers. Retarding admixtures are used to increase the set time of concrete by slowing hydration. They are usually used in hot climates. Accelerating admixtures decrease the set time of concrete. They are usually used in cold weather. Water-reducing admixtures are used to increase set times like retarding admixtures but their main role is to allow for a more fluid mix with lower water content. Air-entraining admixtures are used to enhance concretes durability in relation to freeze-thaw cycles. Super-plasticizer admixtures are used to reduce the water concrete by as much as 30% to create a hughly fluid and workable mix. This mix is used in heavily reinforced structures were a highly flowing mix is needed.
This attic is my fathers. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. The house was built in 1959 and the sheathing is 1" by 4" tongue and groove. The collar ties are at every other rafter
This drywall crack on the ceiling in the hallway has formed between the wall and the pull-down stairs. This may be a result of structural settling, but it is probably not due to a structural defect because there very few visible drywall cracks in the house. This ceiling crack may be a result of movement caused by the pull-down attic stair unit.
When inspecting the structure of a home, the inspector should inspect attics and crawl spaces. If the inspector deems these areas as safe for inspecting, the he/she should enter with caution. An inspector is looking for modifications and appropriate amount of collar ties, rafter ties, ceilings joists, floor joists, ventilation as well as wood to cement separation.
A grade stamp is placed on all lumber produced in North America to indicate the quality of the lumber to be used for specific structural and non-structural purposes. There are six US associations that issue grade stamps and several others in Canada. Four standard items are identified in each lumber grade stamp: the lumber species, the mill identification, the lumber grade, and the lumber moisture content when milled. There are sometimes other items stamped on lumber including Eco-labels and flame-resistant identifiers.
Roof photos are very valuable in an inspection report because the roof is one area that homeowners may never see up close and roof defects can be better explained using photos. Digital photos have proven superior to film due to cost, clarity, flexibility, and digital storage. Other camera features that help significantly are a telephoto lens for long shots, a macro feature for close-ups, a strong flash for dark areas, and case and strap for safety attachment to a tool belt.
