Construction-Top 10 Commondefects in Building

8/12/2019 Construction-Top 10 Commondefects in Building

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Top 10 Most Common HomeTop 10 Most Common Home

DefectsDefects

Presented byPresented by

National Association ofNational Association of

Certified Home InspectorsCertified Home Inspectors


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Copyright 2005 National Association ofCopyright 2005 National Association ofCertified Home InspectorsCertified Home Inspectors 22

Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home DefectsHere are examples of the top ten most commonHere are examples of the top ten most common

defects found during home inspections. Whiledefects found during home inspections. Whilecommon. Most of these defects can be easily,common. Most of these defects can be easily,and inexpensively, fixed.and inexpensively, fixed.

If left unattended to, these conditions can only getIf left unattended to, these conditions can only getworse and lead to much more expensive repairs,worse and lead to much more expensive repairs,and in some cases, structural failure or fire.and in some cases, structural failure or fire.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects1.1. Foundation: DrainageFoundation: DrainageThe houseThe houses foundation should not be covered ands foundation should not be covered and

be visible for at least 6be visible for at least 6 for brick walls and atfor brick walls and atleast 8least 8 for siding and stucco walls.for siding and stucco walls.

Gutter downspouts should lead away from theGutter downspouts should lead away from thefoundation at least 6 feet, 10 feet is better.foundation at least 6 feet, 10 feet is better.

Covering the foundation can lead to water infiltration,Covering the foundation can lead to water infiltration,insect intrusion, rot, mold and structural failure.insect intrusion, rot, mold and structural failure.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects

1.1. FoundationFoundation


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True Story:

Brand New4,400 SFHouse

With A BIGHiddenProblem


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1.1. FoundationFoundationNice brickplanter at the

front covers thefoundationsweep wickswith 3 of soil.

The result?


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Rotted Rim Joist and Sill Plate in 4 Months! $36,000 fix!


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2.2. Electrical DefectsElectrical Defects

A houseA houses electrical system can cause thes electrical system can cause the

most dangerous problems if it is notmost dangerous problems if it is notproperly and professionally installed andproperly and professionally installed andmaintained.maintained.

Always have any electrical work done by aAlways have any electrical work done by a

licensed and insured electrical contractor.licensed and insured electrical contractor.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Location, InaccessibleLocation, Inaccessible


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Owner RepairsOwner Repairs


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Double TappingDouble Tapping


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Double Tapping MainDouble Tapping Main


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. NonNon--Professional / Homeowner WiringProfessional / Homeowner Wiring


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. ElectricalElectricalAnimal ProblemsAnimal Problems


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. RoofRoof

Roofing problems are common, and the mostRoofing problems are common, and the mosteasily dealt with. Make sure that alleasily dealt with. Make sure that allroofing work is done professionally androofing work is done professionally andproperly.properly.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof DrainageRoof Drainage

New House

Builder Saved$20.00.

Buyer LostRoof in 2

Years!

All upperdownspouts

must drain tolower gutters.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof DrainageRoof Drainage

12,000 SF

House.Downspoutdrainingdirectly ontocedar shakeroof.

Note the

shake curling.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof LeaksRoof Leaks

Quick Fix for LeakyRoof

Owner tries quickrepair withelaborate siphon

system.Wound up ruiningthe bedroom

ceiling because thebucket filled andbroke through.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof Deck Rot Due To MoistureRoof Deck Rot Due To Moisture

Lower gable attic, roofdecking old, butserviceable

Upper gable attic, roof

decking rotted and soft.Upper attic had un-ventedbathroom exhaust fan.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating

Heating systems are most commonlyHeating systems are most commonly

plagued by the lack of the proper amountplagued by the lack of the proper amountof combustion air. Make sure that theof combustion air. Make sure that thefurnace has an adequate source offurnace has an adequate source of

combustion air. The rule is 10 cubic feetcombustion air. The rule is 10 cubic feetof air for each cubic foot of gas burned.of air for each cubic foot of gas burned.

Without exterior venting, a 100,000 BTUWithout exterior venting, a 100,000 BTUfurnace requires a room 25 X 25 X 8 at afurnace requires a room 25 X 25 X 8 at aminimum!minimum!


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating -- Insufficient Combustion AirInsufficient Combustion Air


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Yellowing flame

means carbonmonoxide isbeing produced.

Beware offurnacesinstalled inclosets that do

not have anexterior airintake vent flue.


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Failed heat

exchangercaused byinsufficientcombustion

air.


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Brand new

high efficiencyfurnace.

Improperlyinstalled.

Note missingcombustion airvent on left.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. Improper Maintenance and RepairImproper Maintenance and Repair

Always have all house repair done byAlways have all house repair done byprofessional, licensed and insuredprofessional, licensed and insuredcontractors.contractors.

Make sure that you are fully informed whenMake sure that you are fully informed whenyou make any doyou make any do--itit--yourself repairsyourself repairs

Most times, money you think that you areMost times, money you think that you aresaving, up front, is eaten up later.saving, up front, is eaten up later.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. Improper MaintenanceImproper Maintenance Owner RepairOwner Repair

Leaky sink

drain?What to do?

The Old

Diaper Trick.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. Improper MaintenanceImproper Maintenance Bad PlumbingBad Plumbing


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. NonNon--Professional RepairsProfessional Repairs

Nogrounding.

Wires notenclosed,not

waterproof.

Sinkelectrified!


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Copyright 2005 National Association ofCopyright 2005 National Association of

Certified Home InspectorsCertified Home Inspectors 3030

Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. HVACHVACOwnerOwner InnovationsInnovations

New andimproved,

superchargedwater heater.

The only smart

thing about thissetup is the fireextinguisher.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects6.6. Structural DamageStructural Damage

Structural damage is probably the mostStructural damage is probably the mostexpensive type of damage to repair. If notexpensive type of damage to repair. If notdone properly, your house can collapse.done properly, your house can collapse.

Structural problems, though rare, are usuallyStructural problems, though rare, are usuallyvery expensive to repair.very expensive to repair.


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Floor joist cutto allow for

heating duct.Structuralintegrity of the

floor indanger.


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Welding torchhole cut in

steel beam ingarage tofacilitate thegarage dooropener.


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1875

Apartmentbuilding.

Centralfoundation atthe middle isfailing.


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Old pier withwashed

away footingand CMUblocks set on

their sides.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects7.7. Plumbing ProblemsPlumbing Problems

Plumbing problems are most commonlyPlumbing problems are most commonlycaused by inadequate maintenance orcaused by inadequate maintenance orowner repairs.owner repairs.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects7.7. Plumbing ProblemsPlumbing Problems Water HeaterWater Heater


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects8.8. Water and Air InfiltrationWater and Air Infiltration

Water infiltration is, often, the most easilyWater infiltration is, often, the most easily

avoided house problem. Remember, to aavoided house problem. Remember, to ahouse, water is the enemy.house, water is the enemy.

Water in wood = ROT, regardless of the age ofWater in wood = ROT, regardless of the age ofthe wood. A brand new 2 x 4 canthe wood. A brand new 2 x 4 can

completely rot in 4 months if its moisturecompletely rot in 4 months if its moisturecontent is greater than 38%. Kiln driedcontent is greater than 38%. Kiln driedwood has a moisture content < 4%.wood has a moisture content < 4%.


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Thermal imaging to display ceiling water infiltration.


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic Ventilation


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Clothesdryer vented

to Attic

6 month oldhouse

Rotten roofdecking


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BathroomExhaust Fan

Vented to Attic

f


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fT 10 H D f


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic VentilationWeird things found in attics and crawlspaces

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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. NonNon--Inspected Construction DefectsInspected Construction Defects

Just because your house passed aJust because your house passed agovernmental code inspection, that is nogovernmental code inspection, that is noguarantee that it is free of defects. Codeguarantee that it is free of defects. Codeinspectors are overworked and buildinginspectors are overworked and building

codes are merelycodes are merely minimalminimal requirements.requirements.

Even brand new houses can have substantialEven brand new houses can have substantial

and expensive defects and safetyand expensive defects and safetyhazards!hazards!

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T 10 H D f tTop 10 Home Defects


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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. Installation DefectsInstallation Defects

Hair dryer installed nearbathroom basin, againstmanufacturers instructions.



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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. Old / Defected Electrical EquipmentOld / Defected Electrical Equipment

Federal Pacific Equipment

Zinsco


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Thank you for yourThank you for your viewingviewing thisthis

presentation.presentation.

Please go toPlease go to www.mercedinspector.comwww.mercedinspector.comfor information about scheduling a homefor information about scheduling a home

inspection.inspection.

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