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predrywall inspection: Hurricane Straps - 02/13/12 03:45 AM
One very important thing to look for on new construction, pre-drywall inspections are hurricane straps.  Also called "hurricane ties" or "twist straps," let's keep it simple for the post and call them hurricane straps.
A simple piece of engineering, a hurricane strap is a single piece of metal with a half twist. 
There are pre-drilled holes for nails to anchor the straps to roof rafter ends.
In modern construction, every roof truss rafter that rests on an exterior wall is to be strapped.  The only exception is the truss rafter at the very edge of a townhouse, which is itself anchored … (13 comments)

predrywall inspection: Demonstrating A Continuous Path For Earthquake Protection - And A Best Practice! - 02/02/12 06:04 AM
It's good to be demonstrating a continuous path for earthquake protection - and a best practice!
Not long ago I took a class offered by Simpson Strong Tie, the company that makes structural straps and anchors.  You have all seen their products, particularly under decks.
In that class I learned about something engineers are calling a CONTINUOUS PATH.
In Japan there is a huge and special warehouse in which scientists, engineers and Simpson Strong Tie, build houses.  One is just a house.  The other utilizes various forms of straps and ties and structural support.  Then the warehouse shakes both houses! 
From … (28 comments)

predrywall inspection: What I'm Seeing Now (9) - New Home Inspection, 6 of 6 - 11/04/08 02:41 AM
This is the last of my posts regarding new construction inspections.  It is the sixth of six things that I am finding often in new construction, pre-drywall inspections.  This list of six certainly does not represent all of what I am finding in new homes, but they are very common.  This is another one of those construction mistakes that may not manifest for some time, but will be a big problem once it does.
It is this - plastic plumbing support!
Much new construction now utilizes CPVC for supply piping and almost all use PVC for drain, waste and vent lines.  … (3 comments)

predrywall inspection: What I'm Seeing Now (4) - New Home Inspection, 2 of 6 - 10/26/08 04:00 AM
This post continues with What I'm Seeing Now and my list of typical pre-drywall problems.  You will recall that I will list six in total.  This post treats the second - weight transference and support.
Structurally, how weight is transferred and supported in a structure is critically important.  Is the house balanced?  For example, does the support under one side of a beam match the support under the other end?  Are load-bearing walls on the upper level, resting on top of the load-bearing wall below and all that supported by foundation wall or steel beam in the basement?  Load must transfer … (4 comments)

 
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Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


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