Spring Check-Up Written by: Michael Del Greco www.Accurate Inspections.com

Foundation - Basement and Crawl Spaces


1. Check around the house, generally close to the ground, for damage to wood or wood-boring insect infestation. In the basement and crawl spaces, examine the inside surfaces of the foundation walls and floor framing for wood-boring insect damage or water penetration.


2. Check for cracks in foundation walls which allow water entry into the basement or crawl space. Settling of soil around the foundation is usually the cause. Keep grades sloped away from the walls of the house.


3. Check all interior and exterior drains. Keep them clean and open.


Exterior Walls and Surfaces


1. Check masonry walls for cracks or loose, crumbling mortar joints. Since masonry is a brittle material, it is susceptible to damage from freezing. Water which penetrates cracks or joints and then expands when frozen ruptures the toughest materials. Allow for proper sealing.


2. Check all siding and trim for damage (cracking and splitting), decay and tightness of fit. Damaged materials should be repaired or replaced and the condition which caused the problem corrected. Loose nails (caused by normal expansion and contraction) should be reset. Additional nails or screws may be needed.


3. All painted surfaces should be inspected for peeling, deterioration or normal wear. Sometimes peeling paint can be caused by northerly exposure or condensation. Paint life will vary with the method of application (brush, spray, etc.) and the exposure of the surface to the elements. To avoid paint scraping and removal, repaint before the paint peels, cracks, or blisters.


4. Caulking should be checked at all joints. Loose caulk will permit water to enter. Decay or ice damage may result. Also, air leaks through these joints will lead to heat and energy losses.


5. Check the roof surface for loose, damaged or missing shingles. Check between the tabs on asphalt shingles, as granules wear off here first and cause leaks. Older slate and tile roofs should be inspected and maintained regularly by a professional roofer. In most cases, the nails which hold the slates fail before the slates.


6. Trim trees and shrubs away from the house or roof.


Interior Walls and Surfaces


1. Inspect ceilings for signs of leakage - especially under a bath or powder rooms. Also check for bulges which could be caused by a leak or age.


2. Check painted, stained or natural finish surfaces for coating failure and damage. Repairing and recoating (paint, varnish, etc.) when necessary can eliminate major preparation and painting at a later date.


3. Check flooring materials for signs of excessive wear, particularly where one material meets another (i.e., wood-carpet, carpet-tile, etc.). All such areas should be protected. Floors should also be checked for squeaking, poor finish and settling. Minor problems should be addressed before they lead to serious ones.

Attics

1. Attic ventilation is necessary if moderate to above average quantity of insulation is present. Ventilation and insulation is more of a concern in colder climates. The best ventilation is high-low because of the natural thermal currents which are present.


2. Check the condition of the insulation. Trapped moisture will cause it to lose effectiveness. Insulation should envelope the living space. It should not be installed between the rafters of an attic which is not being used as a living space. When rafters are part of the living space, ventilation must be provided between the insulation and the roof sheathing.


3. Check the underside of the roof sheathing for water stains or dampness. These problems indicate one or more of the following:


a. Leaks from the roof, flashings or valleys.

b. Condensation caused by inadequate ventilation and/or excessive moisture inside.

Information provided by www.MDelGreco.com President of www.AccurateInspections.com a New Jersey Home Inspection company. Click here for a www.NewJerseyHomeInspector.com