Why is this photograph concerning? Water intrusion into the crawl space is never a good thing because 1) it can introduce organic growth/mold that can impact air quality in the home, and 2) it can cause wood rot or other damage to the home’s support structure. You should never skip or waive a home inspection, […]
Home Foundation Issues
Homes with crawl spaces need extra TLC. Water is the #1 enemy to your home and the entire structure is designed to shed water away from it. When water gets into your crawl, bad things can happen (think rotting support beams, mold entering into your living space). Crawls are dark, dirty, cramped – not a
This new construction home is supposed to be closing this month. Obviously landscaping/grass still needs to be installed (and the downspout needs to be extended), but another very important issue here is the grading. It is very common to see improper grading in new construction which can and does lead to water intrusion and many
What are your thoughts on gutter leaf guards? Did you know that even with leaf guards, your gutters still need to be monitored and cleared at least three times a year? It is especially important to check on your gutters in the fall – an October, early December, and April cleaning will help keep water
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and sometimes, a video is worth a thousand pictures. In this case, we see a brick support pier that looks a little askew at first glance. But as the video shows, it has completely separated from the wall which can jeopardize the stability of the structure.
Can you spot the problem here?We’ll give you a hint… it rhymes with ‘hissing clownsprout’. . . . This gutter is missing a downspout (right side). That means that all of the water from rain, melting snow, etc. drains directly into the area next to and into the foundation. As water penetrates into the foundation
This is definitely NOT what you want to see when entering a crawl space. Nearly all of the beams and joists in this home were being supported by very unstable “piers” that have been cobbled together using bricks and other materials (including a doorstop!). These are temporary fixes at best and very dangerous, as
The crawl space is one of the most crucial areas a home inspector should inspect. This particular opening isn’t exactly large, but trust us, our inspector Rick has gotten into MUCH smaller spaces (attic openings are especially fun!). A home’s crawl space often contains HVAC components, exposed plumbing pipes, insulation, and vapor barriers and/or other