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Structure problems and structure issues.
When
inspecting the Structure of a home we
will:
Inspect the
foundation; floors; walls;
ceilings; and roof; describe the
foundation construction type and material;
floor construction type and material;
wall construction type and material;
ceiling construction type and material; and
roof construction type and material;
We will probe structural components where deterioration is suspected unless such probing would damage any finished surface.
We will describe in the home inspection report the methods used to inspect under- floor
crawl spaces and attics.
Termites
and New Jersey are
frequently used in the same sentence New
Jersey Termite NJ. Here are
some things you could do to
help avoid termite damage
and infestation.
Some facts about masonry
and how masonry is used in New
Jersey Homes.
HOW
TO HELP AVOID HOME STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS
Water that strikes the home or drips down from the roof should drain away from the foundation walls. The gutter and downspout system should keep water from pooling around the foundation where it can create a moisture problem. Be sure gutters and downspouts are kept open and in good repair.
Trim shrubs and bushes away from the foundation walls. Clearance space should be at least one foot.
Check masonry foundation walls for cracks or weakened, crumbling mortar.
Examine main support beams, support columns, and floor joists for evidence of bowing or warping.
Check wood structural members, such as joists, beams, and columns, with a screwdriver or pocket knife to be sure wood is solid and free from decay.
Check the inside and outside of all foundation walls and piers for termite tubes and damage. You may choose to have an insect-control company to do this each year.
Check that the crawl space vapor barrier is in good condition and placed correctly. A vapor barrier is usually a polyethylene material (6-mil) that covers 70 to 100 percent of the crawl space, depending on the severity of the moisture problem.
Examine the inside of basement walls for dampness or water stains indicating seepage or a leak.
In this area of the
country, water lines and outside faucets need some freeze protection or winter drainage.
In addition, garden hoses should be drained and stored for the winter.
Clean leaves and debris from around an outside heating/air conditioning condenser and trim back shrubs that may block air movement around the home.
Yard care power equipment should be drained of fuel in the late fall or early winter and serviced according to manufacturer's instructions.
Doorways, below grade window wells, and storm drains should be cleaned of debris or leaves.
Driveways and walks should be checked for cracks, breaks, or erosion that may damage them. If asphalt surfaces need repairing, be certain you have the equipment and skill to do a lasting repair job. Otherwise, choose a reputable contractor. Unrepaired cracks in concrete can lead to further damage.
Clean and repair garden equipment after the last use of the season. Remove dirt and rust, then store in dry area. Winter is a good time to file rough spots on hoes and shovels and to apply linseed oil to handles of garden tools. Thoroughly rinse pesticide and herbicide sprayers to prevent clogging, and rinse fertilizer spreaders to prevent corrosion.
Fences, gates, and retaining walls should be checked for ease of operation, condition of structure, and materials. Make repairs as needed.
More information about structures
POST
/ POLE NOT BRACED / GUSSETED / SOUND
PIER / POST / JACK STAND / GRADE BEAM TILTED
SHIFTED / SINKING
TYPICAL FOUNDATION, STEM WALL
OR, IF VISIBLE, FOOTING CRACK(S) NOTED
MODERATE / MAJOR FOUNDATION,
STEM WALL OR, IF VISIBLE, FOOTING CRACK(S) NOTED
FOUNDATION AND / OR, IF
VISIBLE, FOOTING DISINTEGRATION / EXFOLIATION
NOTED
FOUNDATION / SLAB EFFLORESCENCE NOTED
EVIDENCE OF FOUNDATION
SETTLEMENT
FOUNDATION / FOOTING UNDERCUT
/ SETTLED / LIFTED / TILTING
FOUNDATION SECTION NOT
APPARENT OR NON CONTINUOUS FOOTING NOTED
FOUNDATION BOLTS / ANCHORS
NOT INSTALLED / AMISS
FOUNDATION-SLAB SEPARATION
NOTED
SLAB CRACKS / DETERIORATION
NOTED
SLAB UNEVEN / HEAVED
MASONRY / CONCRETE WALLS
CRACKED / DAMAGED / AMISS
CUT / CRACKED / SPLIT /
DAMAGED FRAMING MEMBER
SAGGING RAFTER / RIDGE / BEAM
/ JOIST OR FRAMING MEMBERS
UNSAFE FRAMING MEMBER
POTENTIAL / LIGHT FRAMING
EXCESSIVE SPAN / SPACING OF
RAFTERS / JOISTS / STUDS / OTHER FRAMING MEMBERS
QUESTIONABLE FRAMING
TECHNIQUES AND WORKMANSHIP
SHEAR (DIAGONAL) BRACING RECOMMENDED
FOUNDATION CRIPPLE WALL
TILTED / WEAK / AMISS
SILL PLATES NOT REDWOOD / CEDAR /
TREATED
EXCESSIVE ROOF OR SUB FLOOR
SHEATHING SPAN
LOAD BEARING LEDGER ANCHORING
QUESTIONABLE
CARPORT / PORCH / DECK POST(S)
NOT ANCHORED / DAMAGED / AMISS
PORCH / PATIO COVER ANCHORING
QUESTIONABLE
DECK PLANKS LOOSE / DAMAGED /
WEATHERED / NAILS LOOSE
GUARD OR HANDRAILS LOOSE /
MISSING / DAMAGED / AMISS
DECK / PATIO COVER LOOSE /
DAMAGED / PART MISSING / AMISS
EVIDENCE OF FRAME SETTLEMENT
OR SHRINKAGE
PRIOR / PRESENT MOISTURE
NOTED IN BASEMENT OR CRAWLSPACE
ENTRANCE / AREAWAY LIGHT OR
WINDOW WELL DRAINAGE / DOOR / STEPS AMISS /
QUESTIONABLE
SUMP PUMP INOPERATIVE / AMISS
CRAWL-HOLE OR ENTRANCE TO
UNDER FLOOR AREA TOO SMALL / COVER MISSING /
AMISS
VENTILATION INSUFFICIENT /
SCREENS MISSING / AMISS
CELLULOSE DEBRIS PRESENT
UNDER BUILDING
CRACKED EARTH UNDER / NEAR
STRUCTURE
EARTH TO WOOD DISTANCE
QUESTIONABLE OR INSUFFICIENT
CLEARANCE UNDER BUILDING INSUFFICIENT FOR ACCESS
ATTIC ACCESS TOO SMALL
/ COVER DAMAGED / MISSING / AMISS
ATTIC FAN / WHOLE-HOUSE FAN
INOPERATIVE / AMISS
ATTIC VENTILATION
INSUFFICIENT / SCREENS / COVER PLATE MISSING /
AMISS
NO FIRESTOP IN APPLIANCE VENT
/ CHIMNEY CHASE
DEBRIS PRESENT IN ATTIC
ROOF LEAK EVIDENCE NOTED
KITCHEN / BATH / LAUNDRY
VENTILATION TERMINATES IN ATTIC
APPLIANCE VENT TOO CLOSE TO
COMBUSTIBLES / SEPARATED / AMISS
INSULATION INSUFFICIENT /
MISSING / COMPRESSED / AMISS
INSULATION LOOSE / OUT OF
POSITION / INCOMPLETE
INSULATION COVERING RECESSED
LIGHT OR VENTS
AIR / VAPOR / MOISTURE
BARRIER NOT INSTALLED / AMISS
REVIEW BY QUALIFIED LICENSED
CONTRACTOR ADVISED
REMODEL EVIDENCE NOTED
PEST INSPECTION ADVISED
REVIEW PEST INSPECTION REPORT
WOOD ROT AND WOOD BORING INSECT INFORMATION
WOOD DETERIORATION NOTED ON
BUILDING MEMBER
WOOD BORING OR OTHER INSECTS
/ RODENTS / BIRDS POSSIBLE
UNEXPECTED REPAIRS AND
MAINTENANCE
ACCESS IMPAIRED
FACTORY TRUSS ROOF FRAMING
SYSTEM
SITE FRAMED ROOF FRAMING
SYSTEM
PLYWOOD / OSB ROOF SHEATHING
SPACED / BUTTED ROOF SHEATHING
2"x 6" or 1"x
6" TONGUE AND GROOVE ROOF SHEATHING
PLYWOOD / OSB SUB-FLOORING
ONE INCH NOMINAL THICKNESS SUB
FLOOR SHEATHING
2" X 6" TONGUE AND
GROOVE SUBFLOORS
CONCRETE SLAB FLOOR (slab on
grade) / POST-TENSION SLAB
TILT-UP CONCRETE
CONSTRUCTION
BLOCK / BRICK CONSTRUCTION
Poured concrete walls, poured cement walls, foundation walls, retaining walls
FRAME CONSTRUCTION
Post-tensioned slab
preparation. .
TREATED SILL / SOLE PLATE
OTHER SILL / SOLE PLATES
WOOD FRAMING
1984 TO PRESENT
1963 TO 1983
1950 TO 1962
1930 TO 1949
1900 TO 1929
PRE-1900
ATTIC VENTILATION
FOUNDATION VENTS
ATTIC FAN
TERRA-COTTA FOUNDATION AND/OR,
IF VISIBLE, FOOTING
BLOCK FOUNDATION (FOAM /
CONCRETE)
CONCRETE FOUNDATION AND/OR, IF
VISIBLE, CONCRETE FOOTING
BRICK / STONE FOUNDATIONS
AND/OR, IF VISIBLE, FOOTING
RAISED / BELOW-GRADE
FOUNDATION SYSTEM
CAISSONS or PILES
POLE / COLUMN
NONCONTINUOUS FOUNDATION
AND/OR, IF VISIBLE, FOOTING / JACK STANDS
POST AND PIER OR POST AND BEAM
BOLTED SILL PLATE
GRADE BEAMS
BASEMENT
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE
CONDO / HOA / TOWNHOUSE
DUPLEX / MULTIUNIT /
COMMERCIAL
MOBILE HOME / MANUFACTURED
HOME
SUBTERRANEAN PARKING
BATT OR BLANKET TYPE
INSULATION
LOOSE FILL INSULATION
RIGID SHEET INSULATION
AIR / VAPOR / MOISTURE BARRIER
APPROXIMATE INSULATION
THICKNESS
ATTIC FULLY TRAVERSED
ATTIC PARTIALLY TRAVERSED
ATTIC OBSERVED FROM ACCESS
OPENING ONLY
SUB AREA FULLY TRAVERSED
SUB AREA PARTIALLY TRAVERSED
SUB AREA OBSERVED FROM ACCESS
OPENING ONLY
SUB AREA NOT REVIEWED
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