Bellingham WA Home Inspector (King of the House) -- Floor Slope

It is pretty common, in older homes, for buyers to notice or speculate that floor slope is present. This can be caused by many factors, from settling to wood destroying organism damage to workers that did not spend too much time looking at "level". An inspector, or anyone, who wants some idea of whether or not the floors are level could do worse than carrying a large metal ball bearing -- like the steelies we used as kids playing marbles. These do not work so well on rugs -- unless the floor is really off -- but they can give a real good idea of how level the floor is on vinyl, hardwood or laminate surfaces. By merely putting the ball bearing down, and seeing which way it goes, you learn a lot. If it takes off on it's own, there is noticeable slope. If you give it a little tap and it takes off at high speed, that indicates slope too. On the other hand, if you bump it and it rolls and stops, there is probably not much wrong. Try it in a few different places. A longer level can be used to make this determination too but for an inspector, a realtor or even a homebuyer looking at older homes and concerned about slope it is better to use the ball bearing. You are less likely to scrape furniture, or cause other interior damage, if you forego the level and have balls.  

Thanks for coming by

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA home inspections