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RAISED / BELOW-GRADE FOUNDATION SYSTEM: 
In modern construction raised foundations are commonplace in many parts of the country and in older structures everywhere. A characteristic of raised foundations is that they almost always have wooden floors. In association with raised foundations are "grade beams" and/or "posts and piers" utilized to support the interior walls and floors of the structure. . In some areas with excessive moisture and/or alkaline soil it is common to see this type foundation disintegrating or exhibiting heavy efflorescence which leads to disintegration. Generally the disintegration can be slowed or halted with proper lot drainage, especially next to the foundation. After you have established a routine for lawn irrigation and/or are comfortable with the lot drainage of your property, you should review the foundation under the house. Heavy moisture or efflorescence may be an indicator of improper drainage or irrigating techniques and should be corrected accordingly. It is recommended that you annually check for damages to this type foundation and closely monitor any adverse conditions. Some raised foundations are stepped. A stepped foundation means that the foundation has various elevations. Usually this type is used on hillsides or other rough terrain. Stepped foundations usually have minor hairline cracks at the inside corner of each step and these cracks are usually not reported by the inspector. Some foundations which are built on slight incline slopes may be sloped instead of stepped. This method is obvious because the framing members are not perpendicular to the foundation top edge. Stepped foundations usually have poured concrete footings with poured concrete foundations or concrete blocks forming the steps.  Check for damages to this type foundation yearly and closely monitor any adverse conditions. "Below-grade" means part of the foundation is below-grade or below the ground surface outside the foundation perimeter. This application may invite moisture at some time during the life of the structure. Try to control moisture around the building if "below-grade" has been checked. The inspector cannot possibly determine whether water problems exist under raised or below-grade structures unless water is present at the time of the inspection. The presence of a "water mark" on the inside of a foundation is not necessarily an indicator of an ongoing water problem but may be mentioned as evidence of past moisture.

The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660

Exactly who works for you during a home purchase? Your New Jersey Real Estate Attorney will, as will a very carefully selected home inspector. A haphazardly selected inspector can be very hazardous to your wealth. Many home buyers are told by those who are only compensated if a sale goes through all licensed home inspectors are the same. Few things can be further from the truth. For example if you were going to a doctor would you prefer one who just got out of school last week, or one who taught in the school for a few years, who has been in practice since 1993, who had eight or so years experience in an affiliated industry and who has done the exact same thing more than 6,000 times for others. When selecting a doctor, New Jersey Real Estate Attorney or New Jersey Home Inspector do not let the minimum qualification of holding a license fool you. Go out of your way to select the best qualified and most experienced professional you can afford. Click for more information about New Jersey Real Estate Attorney, Real Estate Law or about Home Inspection Books -