Research & Writing Assignment:
I’m doing the essay on the article “Crawlspace Hazards and Inspection”. the crawlspace is were you’ll find most of the houses problems. Crawlspace is dark, dirty and, muddy. It’s the most neglected and, unmaintained part of the house. If you would spend time and money in this area, it would save you in years to come.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Upon inspection of the living room and foyer, a significant difference in floor height was noticed between the living room and foyer. Further inspection into the crawl space revealed that wood shims had been used to raise the girder. They shims had crushed causing the floor to settle. We recommend further evaluation by a qualified structural contractor for recommended repair solutions.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In todays construction methods, balloon framing is not as common. However, it can be found in older and some newer homes. The main difference in balloon framing and platform framing is long lumber is used on the outside walls, stretching from the sill plate to the eaves. This creates a cavity on the outside wall that runs from bottom to top of the entire structure. This is especially a concern when it comes to fires in the home. With balloon framing fire can quickly pass from floor to floor through the outside wall cavities. This risk can be mitigate by adding fire stops to each floor to help prevent or slow the spreading of fire.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here is a home with a compromised basement, with serious water intrusion. I would like to have seen the base before it flooded, as I am sure there were serious signs in the basement walls to its structure.
The water in the the area a flowed to the houses perimeter creating a positive grade bringing water into the house. As a result the yard was also saturated.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The difference of conventional platform construction and balloon. Conventional homes are separate by floor and ceiling joist. Balloon platform goes from the ground up to the 2nd floor with no separation in the wood from ground to ceiling. Balloon framing started in the 1830’s, changing over to conventional construction of homes in the 1950’s.
Good Afternoon,
My name is David CoWallis, Jr from Auburn, ME. I work for John Turner Consulting, Inc as a Senior Inspector and have been involved in the field of construction for 28 years. I’m taking this course to broaden my knowledge and perform Continuing Education credits for my ICC certifications.
David CoWallis
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This picture is showing a basement slab with some foundation cracks. This particular crack is in the back right corner of the house where due to the poor soil conditions the house is experiencing some settling where the structure is literally leaning away from the rest of the house in this corner.
Research & Writing Assignment:
There are many ways you can easily improve the energy efficiency of your home. Installing ceiling fans help to circulate the air. LED lighting uses roughly 80% less energy. Install weatherstripping and foam gaskets around windows, doors and receptacles. Install lower GPM showerheads and aerators.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
checking the soil around the house for proper water drainage is super important over time the water will move over fill and the foundation will weaken when it is exposed to the below grade the reason is because the grade of the house
Research & Writing Assignment:
grade is the reason a lot of water issues that happen in the basements because of low backfill or a guttering issue where it over looked and over time the issue gets so much worse causing all the extra problems
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Cracks at addition to main house foundation interface on exterior stucco and concrete. Signs of cracking and uneven settling where new addition ties into existing foundation possibly due to improper soil compaction during addition and not properly anchoring into existing foundation. Also signs of water intrusion and foundation undercutting due to erosion in crawlspace.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Attached image is of hallow concrete block basement serving as the homes foundation. During inspection 1/4 vertical crack was observed at the time of evaluation. Vertical cracks are more common that horizontal cracks and is a sign of settlement over time due to vertical loads. Small foundation cracks turn into larger ones and become bigger structural defects over time. Recommend further evaluation and correction by licensed GC or Structural Engineer.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When inspecting the structure heaving and settlement is fairly common however can be a sign of serious structural damage and can worsen over time. Settlement can be due to heavy vertical loads and poor/ expansive soil conditions. When observing cracks v heaves and pyramids drop. It is important to take all perspectives when observing cracks. Where there is one crack there is normally an equal and realitively opposing crack somewhere else on the structure. It is up to the inspector to connect the dots and notify the client in the report through DDID.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Efflorescence while mainly a cosmetic issue is an indication of water intrusion which can lead to damage of structural systems. In some instances hydro static pressure can reach a point sufficient to damage materials such as spalling. It can also indicate high moisture intrusion that can lead to undercutting of foundations and high moisture levels in crawlspaces causing mold and rot on structural framing members.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Secure loose handrails for stairs leading to rear of deck. Inspector noted that joists under decks that are supported by joist hangers, there are empty holes in joist hangers that need to be filled with nails or screws to insure adequate support and stability of joists.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Balloon framing is an older technique for construction of residential housing. The framing for the first and second levels as well as the roof all come from the same studs. The foundational joists for the first and second floors as well as the roof structure are all connected to the same studs.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
While inspecting this home along with numerous settlement cracks discovered at the exterior brickwork this crack showed evidence of horizontal displacement. The crack is larger than 1/4 of an inch. The corresponding masonry block foundation wall had a settlement crack that showed evidence of vertical displacement.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Slab foundations in unfinished basements or a garage will often show evidence of settlement issues. It is not uncommon to find that the slab has vertical displacement. A good practice is to look at where the slab abuts the wall. There is usually a line where the slab was originally rested. The amount of settlement can easily be measured at this location for structural issues.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is an unfinished area at the rear of a new home. It is a corner room to be used for storage beyond the insulated envelope with plans to adequately insulate soon. The roof system is supported by manufactured wood trusses set atop the double plate , spaced at 24O.C. The walls are framed with #2 lumber with stud spacing at 24O.C. The workmanship is above average with clean, straight lines. There is no mechanical fastener for uplift resistance where the truss heel sets atop the wall.
Research & Writing Assignment:
While 5/8 plywood is recommended for roof decking with 24 o.c. spacing of rafters , most local AHJs allow 1/2 plywood or 7/16 or 15/32 OSB. Realizing the cost effectiveness of using OSB, most home builders here in the Deep South use the less expensive method. Since the most economical roof covering on slopes 3:12 and steeper are asphalt 3 tab shingles, during the times of high humidity and rapid temperature changes, you will notice plentiful displays of sagging between the rafters. To overcome this cosmetic sway, many builders will use architectural shingles to offset this look. Maybe, the builder should simply upgrade the deck thickness and be done with it.
