Most common defects found during Houston home inspections:
High grading or grading that does not slope away from the foundation.
Improper wall bracing for a 1 or 2 story structure. The corner exterior walls are missing proper bracing or hurricane - high wind straps are missing where required.
Exterior windows and doors do not have properly installed flashing and weep holes at the brick. Flashing is required above all doors and windows installed in brick and prevents water from
soaking behind the brick running into the structure.
Exterior wood not properly protected or treated as required.
Exterior wood siding trim not properly caulked or sealed at the brick or concrete foundation walls to prevent water and moisture from damaging the wood.
Exterior openings in the structure are not sealed. This will allow air leaks into the structure. All exterior joints in the building envelope, that are sources of air leaks, shall be caulked, gasket
installed, weather-stripped or otherwise sealed in an approved manner.
Chimney height is not tall enough. This could be a potential fire hazard. All chimneys shall extend 2’ higher than any portion of roof within 10’ and at least 3’ higher than the roof penetration.
Roof shingles have toe board nail holes present. Toe boards are walk boards the roofers use. Any holes in the shingles could turn into a roof leak. All shingles with holes should be replaced
or sealed with a sealant that will last as long as the shingles.
Roof shingles are missing roofing felt at the sheathing along the eaves. This protects the roof sheathing.
Step flashing is missing at sloped vertical walls. Some of the roof flashing at the vertical walls is continuous flashing. Flashing prevents water from entering at the intersection of the wall and
the roof. Continuous flashing was used successfully for many years. However, step flashing is a far superior method of flashing and is required for all roofing.
Deck stair handrail is not the correct size. Handrails that are 2×4 or larger are too large to be used for handrails since the cannot be gripped. Handrails shall have either a circular cross
section with a diameter of 1 1/4″ to 2″, or a non circular cross section with a perimeter dimension of at least 4″ but not more than 6 1/4″ and a largest cross section dimension not exceeding 2
3/4″.
Exterior deck is missing properly installed flashing. Flashing prevents water from entering behind the deck and into the structure. Flashing is required where decks attach to a wall or floor
assembly of wood frame construction.
Some of the roof framing has ridge beams that are too small and do not extend to the bottom of the rafters. The ridge must extend down to the bottom of the rafters to properly support the
rafters. The ridge shall not be less in depth than the cut end of the rafters.
Roof purlin supports, supporting the rafters are not the same size as the roof rafters they are supporting.
Some of the rafter purlins are spliced between the support post. Support members are not allowed to be spliced without additional support installed. All purlins should be spliced directly
above a support post.
Roof framing support members have “V” joint or bird mouth splices that are not properly reinforced or supported by a support post to a load bearing wall below. All load bearing beams must
be supported at any splice.
Attic is missing flooring from the end of the attic stairs to the furnace. This makes it dangerous to climb over the stairs to access the flooring at the furnace. All attics must have an
unobstructed, floored passageway 22″ wide x 30″ high to the furnace.
Attic insulation certification card is missing. This is required to verify the attic has the proper amount of insulation.
Attic insulation thickness markers are missing. One thickness marker is required every 300 s.f. of floor area. The thickness of roof/ceiling blown insulation shall be identified by thickness
markers.
Attic insulation is not deep enough. Sometimes the insulation settles and is not deep enough.
Attic is missing fire stopping at an open chase. A chase is an opening in the attic floor that could allow a fire, from the story below, to enter the attic. All openings in the attic floor need sealing
with drywall.
Doors and windows are missing shims and anchors along the jambs. All doors and windows need shimming along the jambs (sides) and proper anchorage for a proper installation.
Bedroom windows not large enough to be used for an emergency exit. Each bedroom shall have an operable window with a sill height no more than 44″ above the floor. Minimum clear height
of 22″ or minimum width of 20″.
Fireplace has wood trim within too close to the opening. Wood too close to the opening is a fire hazard and could catch fire. Woodwork or other combustible materials shall not be placed
within 6 inches of a fireplace opening. Combustible material within 12 inches of the fireplace opening shall not project more than1/8 inch for each 1 inch distance from such opening.
Step heights or tread depths are not the proper size. These are potential trip hazards. The maximum allowable step height is 7 3/4″. The minimum allowed depth of the tread is 9″.
Step heights or tread widths vary in a flight of stairs. The different step heights or widths could be a trip hazard. Risers (heights) and treads (widths) may not vary more than 3/8″.
Stair tread nosing or overhang extends too far over the step below. The edge of the steps could break with the grain of the wood allowing someone to fall down the stairs. The maximum
allowable overhang is 1 1/4″.
Door to the exterior is missing a door sweep and weather-stripping. Unconditioned air can enter the conditioned space.
Garage floor does not slope enough to prevent liquids from running under the walls. Flammable liquids could run under the walls into the structure and be ignited by the basement furnace or
water heater.
Garage furnace and water heater gas piping is not protected from possible impact and at least 18 inches above the garage floor.
Ground fault circuit interrupter electrical outlet is missing at a wet location. Any electrical outlet located in the bathrooms, kitchen counter area, unfinished basement, garage or on the exterior
of the structure that can be reached from the ground, must be GFCI protected.
Ground fault circuit interrupter electrical outlet is missing at a sink. Any electrical outlet located within 6 feet of a sink or basin must be GFCI protected.
No heating and air conditioning damper system present to balance the heating and air conditioning. A two story structure with a single heat and air conditioning system, will find it difficult to
balance the heat and cooling.
Furnace ductwork not proper sealed to prevent air leakage in non conditioned areas. Sometimes the duct insulation is sealed, but the actual ducts are not sealed.
Attic furnace does not have the required working platform in front of the furnace for servicing. This makes it difficult to service the unit or change the filter. A working platform, 30″ deep with a
clear headroom of 30″ high, is required along the control side of the furnace.
Range is missing anti-tip brackets on the rear feet to prevent tipping over.
Attic pull down stair is missing weather-stripping. Unconditioned attic air can enter the conditioned space.
Attic stair is not insulated and is the largest source of heat loss and heat gain thru the attic. Recommend installing an insulated cover over the stair.
Please contact us through our web request at: www.atexinspects.com or by phone at 281-216-1171 if we may be of assistance.
SITE MAP
High grading or grading that does not slope away from the foundation.
Improper wall bracing for a 1 or 2 story structure. The corner exterior walls are missing proper bracing or hurricane - high wind straps are missing where required.
Exterior windows and doors do not have properly installed flashing and weep holes at the brick. Flashing is required above all doors and windows installed in brick and prevents water from
soaking behind the brick running into the structure.
Exterior wood not properly protected or treated as required.
Exterior wood siding trim not properly caulked or sealed at the brick or concrete foundation walls to prevent water and moisture from damaging the wood.
Exterior openings in the structure are not sealed. This will allow air leaks into the structure. All exterior joints in the building envelope, that are sources of air leaks, shall be caulked, gasket
installed, weather-stripped or otherwise sealed in an approved manner.
Chimney height is not tall enough. This could be a potential fire hazard. All chimneys shall extend 2’ higher than any portion of roof within 10’ and at least 3’ higher than the roof penetration.
Roof shingles have toe board nail holes present. Toe boards are walk boards the roofers use. Any holes in the shingles could turn into a roof leak. All shingles with holes should be replaced
or sealed with a sealant that will last as long as the shingles.
Roof shingles are missing roofing felt at the sheathing along the eaves. This protects the roof sheathing.
Step flashing is missing at sloped vertical walls. Some of the roof flashing at the vertical walls is continuous flashing. Flashing prevents water from entering at the intersection of the wall and
the roof. Continuous flashing was used successfully for many years. However, step flashing is a far superior method of flashing and is required for all roofing.
Deck stair handrail is not the correct size. Handrails that are 2×4 or larger are too large to be used for handrails since the cannot be gripped. Handrails shall have either a circular cross
section with a diameter of 1 1/4″ to 2″, or a non circular cross section with a perimeter dimension of at least 4″ but not more than 6 1/4″ and a largest cross section dimension not exceeding 2
3/4″.
Exterior deck is missing properly installed flashing. Flashing prevents water from entering behind the deck and into the structure. Flashing is required where decks attach to a wall or floor
assembly of wood frame construction.
Some of the roof framing has ridge beams that are too small and do not extend to the bottom of the rafters. The ridge must extend down to the bottom of the rafters to properly support the
rafters. The ridge shall not be less in depth than the cut end of the rafters.
Roof purlin supports, supporting the rafters are not the same size as the roof rafters they are supporting.
Some of the rafter purlins are spliced between the support post. Support members are not allowed to be spliced without additional support installed. All purlins should be spliced directly
above a support post.
Roof framing support members have “V” joint or bird mouth splices that are not properly reinforced or supported by a support post to a load bearing wall below. All load bearing beams must
be supported at any splice.
Attic is missing flooring from the end of the attic stairs to the furnace. This makes it dangerous to climb over the stairs to access the flooring at the furnace. All attics must have an
unobstructed, floored passageway 22″ wide x 30″ high to the furnace.
Attic insulation certification card is missing. This is required to verify the attic has the proper amount of insulation.
Attic insulation thickness markers are missing. One thickness marker is required every 300 s.f. of floor area. The thickness of roof/ceiling blown insulation shall be identified by thickness
markers.
Attic insulation is not deep enough. Sometimes the insulation settles and is not deep enough.
Attic is missing fire stopping at an open chase. A chase is an opening in the attic floor that could allow a fire, from the story below, to enter the attic. All openings in the attic floor need sealing
with drywall.
Doors and windows are missing shims and anchors along the jambs. All doors and windows need shimming along the jambs (sides) and proper anchorage for a proper installation.
Bedroom windows not large enough to be used for an emergency exit. Each bedroom shall have an operable window with a sill height no more than 44″ above the floor. Minimum clear height
of 22″ or minimum width of 20″.
Fireplace has wood trim within too close to the opening. Wood too close to the opening is a fire hazard and could catch fire. Woodwork or other combustible materials shall not be placed
within 6 inches of a fireplace opening. Combustible material within 12 inches of the fireplace opening shall not project more than1/8 inch for each 1 inch distance from such opening.
Step heights or tread depths are not the proper size. These are potential trip hazards. The maximum allowable step height is 7 3/4″. The minimum allowed depth of the tread is 9″.
Step heights or tread widths vary in a flight of stairs. The different step heights or widths could be a trip hazard. Risers (heights) and treads (widths) may not vary more than 3/8″.
Stair tread nosing or overhang extends too far over the step below. The edge of the steps could break with the grain of the wood allowing someone to fall down the stairs. The maximum
allowable overhang is 1 1/4″.
Door to the exterior is missing a door sweep and weather-stripping. Unconditioned air can enter the conditioned space.
Garage floor does not slope enough to prevent liquids from running under the walls. Flammable liquids could run under the walls into the structure and be ignited by the basement furnace or
water heater.
Garage furnace and water heater gas piping is not protected from possible impact and at least 18 inches above the garage floor.
Ground fault circuit interrupter electrical outlet is missing at a wet location. Any electrical outlet located in the bathrooms, kitchen counter area, unfinished basement, garage or on the exterior
of the structure that can be reached from the ground, must be GFCI protected.
Ground fault circuit interrupter electrical outlet is missing at a sink. Any electrical outlet located within 6 feet of a sink or basin must be GFCI protected.
No heating and air conditioning damper system present to balance the heating and air conditioning. A two story structure with a single heat and air conditioning system, will find it difficult to
balance the heat and cooling.
Furnace ductwork not proper sealed to prevent air leakage in non conditioned areas. Sometimes the duct insulation is sealed, but the actual ducts are not sealed.
Attic furnace does not have the required working platform in front of the furnace for servicing. This makes it difficult to service the unit or change the filter. A working platform, 30″ deep with a
clear headroom of 30″ high, is required along the control side of the furnace.
Range is missing anti-tip brackets on the rear feet to prevent tipping over.
Attic pull down stair is missing weather-stripping. Unconditioned attic air can enter the conditioned space.
Attic stair is not insulated and is the largest source of heat loss and heat gain thru the attic. Recommend installing an insulated cover over the stair.
Please contact us through our web request at: www.atexinspects.com or by phone at 281-216-1171 if we may be of assistance.
SITE MAP
| Most Common Defects Found During Home Inspections In The Houston Area |