One of the main things that a home inspector will look at during a home inspection is the foundation. Here is some information on what the home inspector when examining the foundation.
The first thing the inspector will have to do is determine the type of foundation the home has. There are three types of foundations: the basement, crawl space, and concrete slab.
If the home has a basement, there may be some limitations to the inspection based on if it has been finished. The inspector is trying to determine if the basement presently has or has had a moisture problem in the past. For an unfinished basement is there any water staining on the concrete? For a finished basement, is the carpet stained, is there a mildew smell, or is the hardwood flooring separating, curling or cupping at the seams?
There are other items the inspector will examine while in the basement. These items include any exposed wood framing, electrical components, plumbing pipes and fixtures, and any systems like the water heater or the heating and cooling system if present.
If there is at least 18 inches of headroom, the inspector will evaluate the crawl space. If for some reason, such as height restrictions, the inspector can not access all or part of the crawl space it will be noted in the inspection report.
When inspecting the under the home the inspector will be looking at the piers and the foundation walls for stability and any cracking. The inspector will look to see if there is any insect damage to the exposed wood framing. Also, the inspector will look to see if the dryer vents to the exterior, if there are enough wall vents, if the ground is wet from condensation or a plumbing leak, the condition of the HVAC ductwork, and if there is insulation present between the floor joists.
When the home has a concrete slab, it can only be inspected from the exterior, unless the interior has not been floored yet. On the exterior the home inspector will be looking to see if there are cracks present in the concrete slab and if the ground around the slab is sloped away from the home.
Closing Comments
Many times the foundation installed is dependent on the grade of the land and soil type. It is not uncommon for a home to have two foundation types on a sloped lot. If the slope is steep enough the home may have all three foundations installed on a home. - 26221
The first thing the inspector will have to do is determine the type of foundation the home has. There are three types of foundations: the basement, crawl space, and concrete slab.
If the home has a basement, there may be some limitations to the inspection based on if it has been finished. The inspector is trying to determine if the basement presently has or has had a moisture problem in the past. For an unfinished basement is there any water staining on the concrete? For a finished basement, is the carpet stained, is there a mildew smell, or is the hardwood flooring separating, curling or cupping at the seams?
There are other items the inspector will examine while in the basement. These items include any exposed wood framing, electrical components, plumbing pipes and fixtures, and any systems like the water heater or the heating and cooling system if present.
If there is at least 18 inches of headroom, the inspector will evaluate the crawl space. If for some reason, such as height restrictions, the inspector can not access all or part of the crawl space it will be noted in the inspection report.
When inspecting the under the home the inspector will be looking at the piers and the foundation walls for stability and any cracking. The inspector will look to see if there is any insect damage to the exposed wood framing. Also, the inspector will look to see if the dryer vents to the exterior, if there are enough wall vents, if the ground is wet from condensation or a plumbing leak, the condition of the HVAC ductwork, and if there is insulation present between the floor joists.
When the home has a concrete slab, it can only be inspected from the exterior, unless the interior has not been floored yet. On the exterior the home inspector will be looking to see if there are cracks present in the concrete slab and if the ground around the slab is sloped away from the home.
Closing Comments
Many times the foundation installed is dependent on the grade of the land and soil type. It is not uncommon for a home to have two foundation types on a sloped lot. If the slope is steep enough the home may have all three foundations installed on a home. - 26221
About the Author:
Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an online marketing service that provides Lake Real Estate in the US and Canada. Find Alabama Lake Real Estate.
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