Collar Ties,
Collar ties are in the upper third of the raffters and it is intended to keep raffters from separating during high winds and movement of the structure.
Rafter ties are in the lower third of opposing gable rafters that is intended to resist the outward thrust of the rafter under a load.
Upon inspection of the finished basement, it was found that untreated wood was used to frame the walls. At a minimum, the sill plate should be treated lumber. This board is treated due to the fact that it has the potential to come in contact with moisture.
It is recommended that dirt and or mulch be no less than 6" from your siding. This distance will help to provide some distance/ prevent moisture and insects from penetrating a homes exterior. While there are other prevention methods that should be observed as well, this is just one area to keep an eye on.
In this picture you can see in the left top corner of the door that there is a diagonal crack that is a sign of structure move meant. Open doors and windows at the weakest point of a structure so when other important part of the house are beginning to have problems, it will most likely show over windows, doors with cracks.
Any roof penetration needs to be inspected closely. The chimney is a major roof penetration. Inspectors need to examine a closely as physically possible the flashings at the base of the chimney. New roofing and signs of repair to the flashings are cause for an even closer inspection.
Pull down ladders are a common occurrence in home inspections. They are found most often in garages but are also encountered inside the structure.
Inspectors often overlook the actual installation of the ladder. Some common defects to look for include;
cutting structural elements, improper fastening, and lack of insulation.
After inspecting the doors to the exterior, it was noted that some have daylight showing through the edges. This could mean a few things, but the one that sticks out with this door, is that it is missing a section of weather stripping and it would be recommended to replace or fix the issue to help prevent air leaks.
Exterior design features are sometimes confused with each other. There are decks, porches, balconies, verandas and patios. Decks are larger, raised and attached to the home, usually in the back. Porches are wooden structures, usually on the front and can form a covered entrance. Balconies are platforms that stick out from an upper wall. Verandas are long, open galleries around a central structure. Patios are usually paved and are roofless, next to the home. As an inspector, it is important to know the differences, so that you can properly identify and describe the design feature of the home.
A truss is a structure that consists of two-force members only, where the members are organized so that the assemble behaves as a single unit. A two-force member is a structural component where force is applied to only two points. Trusses typically comprise five or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints.
Assembling walls on a level surface probably the sub floor or slab and raising them into place will help you frame faster. However, raising walls usually requires some extra help. Standard walls are 8’ to 12’ high.
Framing consists of top and bottom plates, wall studs and headers, with trimmers and king studs as needed for window and door openings.
This is an image of the inside view of an exterior door. You can see that the gap along the top portion of the door widens which is a sign that the framing for the latching portion of the door is showing signs of heaving.
The article I chose is titled Structural Designs of Foundations and gives a very insightful overview of how crucial a home’s foundation is. This article also goes over the various materials and components used within a foundation and how each affects the overall design.
A crack in the foundation can be a major cause for concern. This crack, however, has most likely been caused by shrinkage based on the size and direction. Vertical cracks that are small might let moisture in, but they are not a structural defect.
Vermiculite:
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes that resemble mica. When heated rapidly to a high temperature, this crystalline mineral expands into low-density, accordion-like strands. In this form, vermiculite is a lightweight, odorless and fire-resistant material that has been used in numerous applications, such as insulation for attics and walls.
Vermiculite is mined very close to where deposits of diopside are found, which breaks down into asbestos in a similar manner as vermiculite is the product of a similar process. Cross contamination can occur, and did occur until 1990. It should be assumed that all vermiculite is contaminated and toxic.
If vermiculite is found inside of an attic space, notify and educate the home owners/buyers to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
This image shows signs of intense structure damage. The floors are so uneven they have led to cracking of the flooring and separation from doors and walls. The structure under the house seems to poorly managed or fix at the time of the occurrences.
Ant Inspection - Ants are harmless to humans but can cause intense structure damage. Any types of holes in a building can lead to the entry of ants. Frass deposits can also be a sign of ant intrusion. To avoid ants store all foods that attract ants in containers and keep them closed up. You can also cut back tree limbs and shrubs away from the house or building.
Non treated membranes, must be kept a certain distance from grade, wether this is a girder a post or a floor joist. All structural wooden member must be at least 18 inches, from grade except for treated wood which can be near on grade.
All openings in a wood framed, residential structure, require a headed. Depending on the size of the opening and the weight it must bare, a different sized member will be required. It is assumed that in this application the headed consist of two 2x4 wood members.
Foundations are essential to every home. As you can see in the picture, the floor is starting to crack in a few spots. The cracking can potentially become an issue somewhere down the road. Right it isn’t to bad. The cracking looks to be caused by potential moisture underneath the foundation.
crawlspace hazards. Crawlspaces are probably the riskiest and most dangerous area in the home. Crawlspaces are dark and dingy and may contain hazards such as mold, fungus, moisture, rotting wood, broken blocks, pest (snakes, spiders, raccoons, etc) and other hazards that could endanger the inspector. Always use caution when entering crawlspaces. If the area is to dangerous or not big enough to enter, just put in the inspection that you were unable to enter crawlspace due to hazardous conditions.
