New Jersey home inspection NJ home inspectors perform  Certified New Jersey home inspections in NJ.

SHEAR (DIAGONAL) BRACING RECOMMENDED: 
Diagonal or shear bracing helps prevent buildings from "racking" or swaying. This type movement usually cracks walls and siding and weakens the structure in general. Diagonal bracing comes in many forms and is not always readily recognizable to the layman. Examples are stucco, drywall, plaster, plywood and other sidings which are properly lathed and/or nailed, boards and metal straps nailed diagonally into the frame, etc. Each of these items constitutes diagonal bracing but none are necessarily allowed by building codes unless properly installed, spaced and nailed. In many earthquake prone areas most buildings sorely need more diagonal bracing. Plywood siding such as "T 1-11," which is a grooved siding, is one of the more common sidings nailed to the frame and expected to perform as shear bracing. In some of the more moderate earthquakes in California it was noted that this material popped off, nails and all. It seemed that the problem was that the builders did not nail the material sufficiently at the edges and in the field. In this particular case the inspector may be referring to the need for more nails on this type siding. Diagonal "let-in" bracing is usually found within the walls of a structure and may not be visible to the inspector. However, this item will be checked if any racking movement is noted. Diagonal bracing is generally easy to install unless it is to be installed within a finished wall. Metal bracing straps are available at all Building Supply Outlets and are easy to install if access can be gained. It is important that the brace be nailed at the top and bottom plates as well as to the wall studs. Beefing up the nailing of plywood siding is easy. Be sure to use 8 penny hot dipped galvanized nails. Nail the center of the plywood (the field) as close to the center of the studs as possible at 8 inch intervals and nail at 6 inch intervals around the edges. It is recommended that you contact a Building Repair and Maintenance Company for additional assistance if needed. 

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Few realize the work performed by your NJ Real Estate Attorney. They are the ones who review the title, survey, contracts, mortgages, legal documents and perhaps most important to many home inspection report. An experienced NJ Real Estate Attorney can provide you with solid advice as to what you can and can not reasonably ask for after he or she reviews your home inspection report. Of course in order for your attorney to do a good job they need a good home inspection report to start out with. It is unfortunate many home inspectors (even those who have been in the field for a while) simply have no idea how vital their job is to their clients economic well being. Many home inspectors are under the mistaken impression they work for real estate agents. New Jersey law and regulation quite clearly indicate Licensed New Jersey Home Inspectors are to work for the home buying client, not the home owner nor the real estate agent. Home inspectors who have been full time in the home inspection business since 1993, who taught NJ home inspection classes and have performed more than 6,000 home inspections are much more likely to be able to write the type home inspection report you will need to obtain concessions from home sellers than those who went to school for a few weeks and spent just one week in the field inspecting homes. Click for more information about Real Estate Law or about Home Inspection Books - A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |