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Floating Porch Corners

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

Yes, despite everything I saw I was particularly struck by the floating porch corners. 

Sure, the new porch lacked lots of things, like a permit for instance.

The sides are 34" off the ground, so guardrails would be needed.

The stairs are 65" wide, so a handrail would be needed on both sides.

The stair heights are erratic, ranging from 5 1/2" to 8 1/2".  Stair heights should not vary very much, no more than a quarter inch or so (technically 3/8").  Consistently the same height is most desired. 

The stairs are not level.

We can see all this.  We get all this.

A permit would have required that all the be properly done.

But I was struck by something else.

Neither of the front corners were really supported.

They LOOKED supported.

But were not!

And that lack of support represented a sizable part of the corners of those two slate tiles.

LOOKING CAREFULLY, YOU CAN SEE THAT THOSE TWO SUPPORTIVE BRICKS, PRESENT UNDER EACH CORNER, ARE MERELY GLUED THERE!

I could just see everyone getting back from dinner or shopping, and crowding onto the front porch while the door is being opened.  Careful not to fall off (!), one person is standing right on either of those corners, and the magical glued bricks simply giving way under the weight that person. 

And BOOM!  The corner suddenly breaks!  Have a nice day!

My recommendation:  sometimes things are not as they appear!  Look carefully and beyond the obvious!  That might just save grandpa from taking a dive.

 

 

 

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments (28)

Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

This is kind of placed over the old stoop Barbara.  I guess they didn't want the work of removing the old for the new.

Fred - this is a cut and paste job!  Maybe an IT expert built the porch!

Lenn - the opened lock box is preventing the door from closing, but the closer arm is bent!  I bet these homeowners think they have a real solid porch there.

Apr 21, 2013 09:01 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Dangerous situation. Good thing the home inspector didn't stand on that corner ;-)

Apr 21, 2013 09:12 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jay,

It's amazing what people will do. Then stand there looking proud just before we burst their bubble.

Then they don't like the end results of the inspection and say we don't know what we are saying and everything is right.

Shake your head and have the buyers deal with it.

Have a great day in Bristow my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Apr 21, 2013 09:38 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

The "memory" your feet have of even steps will be lost here...and guess there has been more than one spill due to this issue.

Apr 21, 2013 10:35 PM
Christopher Campa
LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE - Gainesville, VA
Northern VA Realtor

Jay:  When I'm showing older homes I've seen several ridiculous porches.  I know nothing about the regulations, but common sense (what little I have) kicks in.  As an Attorney I see all of the potential law suites the owner avails him/herself to.  Its serious.  

Apr 21, 2013 10:40 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Thanks for looking after Grampa Jay, would want to see him hurt.

Apr 21, 2013 10:49 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jay, definitely a DIY job. This is an accident waiting to happen.

Apr 21, 2013 11:00 PM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Thus the value of a home onspector comes in, which you prove over and over again Jay. Thank you for the education you provide

Apr 22, 2013 12:08 AM
Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &

Jay, maybe a couple of poles to support the corners with gorilla glue to hold them in place.

Apr 22, 2013 01:29 AM
Helen and Larry Prier- Re-Max Gateway - Residential Real Estate
RE-MAX Gateway- Residential Real Estate Sales - Anacortes, WA
Anacortes & surrounding Skagit & Island Counties

It looks like an accident waiting to happen.

Apr 22, 2013 01:42 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Jay -- it is amazing that they could get the steps that far out of standard.  Besides, if they put on handrails, it would destroy the floating illusion they are going for.

Apr 22, 2013 03:57 AM
Berni Kerr
Retired - Mortgage Professional. - Port Dover, ON
Retired AMP Mortgage Agent - Port Dover ON

Jay,  Good for you in stating the obvious!  Looks like an accident waiting to happen. :)

Apr 22, 2013 10:12 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Richard - he wanted to hang around for more fun in the future!

Clint - we do shake our heads sometimes!  Let's see who deals with this one.

S&D - it is that memory which is the reasoning behind the stairs being substantially the same height!

Thanks Chris.  Sooner or later this porch is an accident happening.  Life experience is a cruel teacher.

 

Apr 22, 2013 10:37 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Someone has to Tom!  And mom when she is holding the baby!

Mike - it is an impressive staircase first glance.  But the longer you look, well...

You're welcome Doug and thanks for your kind words!

I will pass that along Mark!  Gorilla Glue works outdoors and is exceptionally waterproof!

Apr 22, 2013 10:40 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

H&L - or many accidents waiting to happen!

Steven - the stairs in the clouds!  Maybe a stairway to heaven for some poor soul.

Berni - we state the obvious and the not so obvious!  At times anyway.

Apr 22, 2013 10:41 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Jay, I can just feel my left knee slipping out of joint going down these steps without a railing.  This is not a geezer friendly house.

Apr 22, 2013 11:50 AM
Eric Middleton
Closer Look Property Inspections Inc. - Uniondale, NY
Professional Property Inspector

Jay - that is certainly an accident waiting to happen. Just looking at the front picture makes me want to fall down.

Apr 22, 2013 12:57 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

No it is not Pat.  And 34" is a pretty good fall.

Eric - well, you don't have to!  Imagine the stairs with all the safety bells and whistles!

Apr 22, 2013 07:15 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Nice porch and stairs. Permits are so over rated ;)

Apr 23, 2013 10:19 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Permit me to help you up onto the porch Grandma.  Here, stand right there while I open the door.

Over rated indeed, Jim! 

I got your sarcasm, but I'm betting grandma doesn't when she takes her header!

 

Apr 24, 2013 12:13 PM