There are the three main types of house foundations that you will encounter in residential construction. Full basement, crawlspace or slab-on-grade. The foundation is extremely important because it supports the entire structure of the building. Shear force starts at the highest peak of a building & forces itself down to the lowest point of a building, the foundation. Shear is defined as a strain in the structure of a substance produced by pressure, when its layers are laterally shifted in relation to each other. It is extremely important that the foundation is solid & level.
8 Point Inspection of Foundation
- Movement
- Structural Components
- Shearing
- Water
- Vegetation
- Vents
- Cracks
- Vertical cracks are considered non-structural
- Horizonal cracks are considered structural
- Insect Spraying
Landscape is simply the first impression of a home. It is very important that the lawn, trees, shrubbery, water features, etc. look good. Is there proper drainage for water run off? The Home Inspector will just do a visual assessment of the Landscape & offer his/her opinion/recommendations for any action to be taken. Generally, sprinklers are not inspected by the Home Inspector.
8 Point Inspection of Landscape
- Ground Cover
- Site Drainage
- Pondering
- 1\4” Pitch per 10’ Run
- Trees & Shrubbery
- Secondary Water
- Sprinklers
- Insect Spraying
Many kinds of foundations. But all need footings first.
Shearing
Outside Foundation Vent
Conditioned Foundation Vents (located in crawl space)
Vertical Foundation Crack
Site Drainage
Pondering
Slope of Land to Foundation