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Inspection Prep
Building maintenance is the preventive and remedial upkeep of building components that owner need to perform in order to prevent problems from occurring. That means taking inventory of the different parts, or structures, of the building. Stairwells, staircases, rails, decks, porches, hallways, doors, windows, walls, siding and roof elements such as gutters, downspouts, eaves, fascia and soffit are all examples of building components. Recognizing the building components is essential; as well as noting detailed description of the condition of those component items that need repair or replacement such as loosened railings, cracked windows, damaged gutters and downspouts, decaying fasica and soffits , damaged fixtures and more.
Gutters are essential to proper drainage and the channeling of water away from the building’s foundation. Gutters collect the flow of water from the roof edge, guides it through the downspout. Water run-off can begin to eat away the dirt on the sides of the building, driveway and sidewalks after only a few days of rain.
Water can damage a building by eroding its foundation. It also has the power to slowly leak into the eaves and crevices of the roof exterior of the building thus promoting the growth of mildew and mold. Water may also seep through the shingles into the interior of the house causing damage to it as well.
The most common problem with gutters and downspouts is clogging. All sorts of things find their way into gutters: leaves, seedlings, buds, sticks, balls, nests, and debris. These things build up over time, filling the gutters and stopping the flow of water. When this occurs, water has nowhere to go but over the edges, eventually causing damage. With a gutter and downspout system, water from rain and the melting of the snow will be kept at bay and thus prevent damage to the building
Gutter and downspout systems through the years have been manufactured from a variety of materials: cast iron, lead, zinc, galvanized steel, painted steel, copper, painted aluminum, PVC, concrete, stone, and wood. Today, we typically see aluminum, galvanized, or PVC materials used to manufacture gutters and downspouts.
Note: There is no need to make a recommendation on a building (dwelling) that has no gutters. Depending on how the ground slopes from the home, what the roof water falls onto and several other factors, gutter are not always needed. Unless you see a potential problem that would cause a loss then no recommendation is required.
Eaves
“Eaves” is derived from Old English "efes" and is both the singular and plural form of the word. Eaves are the horizontal section of a roof that extends beyond the outside wall of a structure. The sloped connection between a gable or shed roof and an exterior wall is called a rake. Building eaves provide protection to buildings. The overhang created by eaves prevents rain, snow and other debris from spilling directly down the side of the building and causing damage to the siding or foundation. The primary function of the eaves is to throw rain water off the walls and to prevent the ingress of water at the junction where the roof meets the wall. The eaves may also protect a pathway around the building from the rain, prevent erosion of the footings and reduce splatter on the wall from rain as it hits the ground.
Fascia & Soffit
Fascia and Soffit are used when installing roofs. Installing these two roofing components together helps prevent mold and mildew resulting from moisture to enter your home’s rafters. Soffits and fascias also increase air ventilation and protect the areas of your home that are difficult to cover with paint.
Fascia board is a type of roof trim which is commonly used on houses. They sit up under the eaves and behind the gutters on a home and are mounted on the exposed ends of rafters or the top of exterior walls to create a layer between the edge of the roof and the outside. In cases where the edge of the roof is flush with the edge of the walls, the fascia board may include soffits for venting, while in other instances, soffits may be hidden under the eave, invisible behind the fascia board. Fascia board can be vulnerable to water damage, which leads to rot, and the rot can spread to the rafters and roofing materials. If fascia boards appear to be rotting away or they become detached, they should be replaced. It is usually not necessary to replace the entire length of board; instead, people can cut a fresh segment to replace a damaged one, taking care that the seams of the boards meet on a rafter so that they can be firmly nailed in place.
Soffits are typically used in the area beneath the eaves on the exterior of a house to close the space beneath the eave. The soffit extends from the side of the structure to the edge of the eave. The soffit is more vulnerable to weather damage than any other part of the house. Wet material rots, and a soffit can be repeatedly soaked by water from torn shingles, damaged or rusted flashing, ice dams, or poorly functioning gutters. Squirrels and birds can also damage a soffit, since they like to nest in the space in the space behind soffits if they can find a point of entry. Bees, hornets, and wasps do not actually damage a soffit, but when they build a nest behind a soffit, they present a problem.
Broken Windows
Broken windows are both an inconvenience and a hazard to the homeowner and their family. Once glass has been broken it is unpredictable and will continue to crack or break and can fall out and cause injury without warning. A broken window can let in the cold, the heat or the rain.
The broken windows theory is a criminological theory of the norm setting and signaling effect of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. The theory states that maintaining and monitoring urban environments in a well-ordered condition may stop further vandalism and escalation into more serious crime. The broken windows theory was first introduced by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, in an article titled “Broken Windows” and which appeared in the March 1982 edition of The Atlantic Monthly.[1] The title comes from the following example: Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside. Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.
Note: the recommendation for boarded windows is no longer applicable unless the structure is vacant.
Wood Trim & Window Sills
Wood trim and window sills have been around for centuries, decorating homes and adorning windows across the North American continent. Since the beginning, wood has also been rotting and becoming infested with termites, causing grief to homeowners who end up needing to repair or entirely replace their wooden window molding. The primary means to prevent rot is by keeping wood dry. Keeping wood dry is also the primary means to prevent termites or other Wood Destroying Insects. Fungi cannot grow without moisture and termites require high humidity or moisture. Termites cannot survive in dry wood. When wood is exposed to the exterior, such as window or door frames and wood siding it will need to be protected from the elements. This is typically done by wood stains or painting. Paints form a water proof layer on the surface of the wood, it does not penetrate the wood. When paint peels or cracks it provides openings where moisture may enter.
Doors
It is not unusual to see relatively new doors with decay at the bottom of the frame. Leaves and snow blows up against the frame holding moisture and should be kept clear. Additionally rain and melting snow will run along the threshold and go under the wood framing. The end cuts of wood in this area typically does not get painted and the capillaries of the wood fiber will wick or suck up moisture and decay occurs.
High humidity plus the often cold temperatures in the basement produces a lot of condensation. Condensation collects on cold metal pipes, cold concrete basement floors (even if there is carpet over the top) and on walls. Leaking pipes in the basement or in nearby rooms lead to basement mold growth. Water in the ground can also find its way into the basement through cracks in the walls. Once water in the basement evaporates it raises the humidity level in the basement. The humidity then usually stays high thanks to poor ventilation and no sunlight. Some molds can begin to grow in the basement just from this high level of humidity.
One of the biggest causes of mold in the basement is flooding. If a house is flooded, water runs down to the basement and stays there long after the other rooms have dried. Dangerous molds like toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) can start to grow after a flood. These molds need materials to be very wet for several days to begin growing.
Some of the most common places where mold grows in the basement are:
Walls
Wall cavities
Wooden building frames
Ceiling
Floor
Insulation
Storage boxes
Furniture
Pipes
Ducts and vents
Vegetation left uncut and/or in an unkempt stage may cause safety hazards, fire hazards, and/or pest harborages, and may interfere with, annoy, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of others, or unlawfully interferes with, obstructs or tends to obstruct, or render dangerous for passage, street or highway; or in any way render other persons insecure in life, or in the use and enjoyment of property, and in many areas is considered a violation of code enforcement, thus constituting a public nuisance.
Damaged Gutters
Gutters are designed to perform one simple, yet very important task collect and move water away from your foundation. While this sounds like a very simple function it is also critical in protecting a building from flooding and structural damage.
Recommendation: The gutters at [ Specify Area(s) ] were damaged and should be replaced to reduce building exposure.
Obstructed Gutters
Clogging is the most common gutter problem. Whether from leaves, roof debris or toys, gutters can get clogged and cause water to flow over their edges and down along side of your foundation. Left untended, clogged gutters and downspouts will contribute to possible basement flooding.
Recommendation: The gutters at [ Specify Area(s) ] were obstructed and should be cleaned out to reduce building exposure.
Missing Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts channel water way from the buildings foundation. Missing downspouts can cause excess water near the foundation and lead to thousands of dollars in foundation repairs.
Recommendation: The downspouts at [ Specify Area(s) ] were missing and should be replaced to reduce building exposure
Damaged Downspouts
Downspouts may be split and damaged from swelling organic debris (leaves) or by freezing. The result is leaks against the building wall and foundation.
Recommendation: The downspouts at [ Specify Area(s) ] were damaged and should be replaced to reduce building exposure.
Missing Downspout Diverters
Water run-off that is not directed away from a building can begin to eat away the dirt on the sides of the building, driveway and sidewalks after only a few days of rain. Water can damage a building by eroding its foundation.
Recommendation: The downspouts at [ Specify Area(s) ] side of the building currently terminate along the side of the building and should have connectors/diverters installed to divert water away from the building?and reduce the building exposure.
Water Diverted On Walkways
The rain gutter and downspouts that discharge onto a sidewalk or driveway can be very dangerous situation, particularly in cold climate areas. With a cold snap, the discharged snow or rain water will freeze and the area then becomes a sheet of ice.
Recommendation: The downspouts on the [ Specify Area(s) ] side of the building, which run off onto the sidewalk/driveway and should be diverted or connected to a drain to reduce the possibility of icing conditions form water run-off during cold weather. This will help reduce the personal injury hazard.
Eaves Paint Deterioration
Paints form a water proof layer on the surface of the wood, it does not penetrate the wood. When paint peels or cracks it provides openings where moisture may enter. Unprotected wood allows water penetration that can cause wood deterioration and possible water leakage over time.
Recommendation: The eaves at [specify area] is in need of priming and painting to improve building condition and reduce the weather damage exposure.
Deteriorated/Damaged Eaves
Eaves are a vulnerable part of building, exposed to weather and damage by falling limbs. Water-damaged eaves can lead to above ground infestations of termites and carpenter ants problems. Squirrels and birds can also damage eaves, since they like to nest in the space in the space behind soffits if they can find a point of entry.
Recommendation: The eaves are damaged at [ Specify Area(s) ] and should be replaced to reduce the water and physical damage exposure.
Deteriorated/Damaged Fascia
Fascia board can be vulnerable to water damage, which leads to rot, and the rot can spread to the rafters and roofing materials, which is undesirable. If fascia boards appear to be rotting away or they become detached, they should be replaced.
Recommendation: The fascia is decayed/damaged at [ Specify Area(s) ] and should be replaced to reduce the water and physical damage exposure.
Deteriorated/Damaged Soffit
Soffited eaves are susceptible to water damage caused by ice dams, improper flashing, torn shingles, and faulty gutters. And once water has seeped in, the rot spreads quickly because the wood stays soggy inside the dark space.
Recommendation: The soffit is decayed/damaged at [ Specify Area(s) ] and should be replaced to reduce the water and physical damage exposure.
Broken Windows
Broken windows are both an inconvenience and a hazard to the building owner. Once glass has been broken it is unpredictable and will continue to crack or break and can fall out and cause injury without warning. A broken window can let in the cold, the heat or the rain.
Recommendation: Window at [ Specify Area(s) ] was noted to be broken and should be repaired to reduce building exposure.
Window Frame Paint Deterioration
The most common cause of peeling, not surprisingly, is water.Water vapor that accumulates beneath paint or primer separates these coatings from the surface. This, in turn, leads to cracking. A snowball effect ensues: Water seeps through small cracks, which causes bigger cracks. Peeling paint eventually lets you know that something isn't right.
Recommendation: Trim around window at [ Specify Area(s) ] is in need of priming and painting to improve building condition and reduce the weather damage exposure.
Decaying Window Trim
Rotted wood trim is a common exterior repair for homeowners, as trim boards are exposed to the weather year-round. As the paint and seals around the trim boards become worn, moisture can penetrate the wood, causing rot.
Recommendation: Trim around window at [ Specify Area(s) ] was noted to be decayed and rotted and should be repaired to reduce building exposure.
Decaying Door Frame
The strength and security of a door are only as solid as the frame it is in. One of the most common causes for an entrance requiring a new door is due to rotten wood. This occurs wherever the frame is constantly in contact with water. Obviously it is therefore most common at the bottom of the frame where standing water may collect due to drainage issues.
Recommendation: The door frame at [ Specify Area(s) ] was noted to be decayed and rotted and should be repaired to reduce building exposure.
Basement Mold
One of the biggest problems with basements is that they tend to be cold and moist which leads to mold. Basement mold is not only ugly but it is also dangerous to both children and adults by contributing to allergies and asthma.
Recommendation: Basement was observed to have mold issue and should be abated by a professional.
Excessive Vegetation
Vegetation left uncut and/or in an unkempt stage may cause safety hazards, fire hazards, and/or pest harbor-ages. With the exception of annual growth, please add the recommendation when the shrubs or trees are in contact or overhanging the building.
Recommendation: The overgrown trees, weeds,or brush around the building at [ Specify Area(s) ] should be maintained away from the building to reduce the fire hazard.
Abandoned Vehicle
Unlicensed vehicles may be left to store at a property and can become a liability hazard if even one vehicle is present.
Recommendation: The abandoned and unlicensed vehicle at[ Specify Area(s) ] should be removed from the property to reduce the liability hazard.