Almost every part of a home reveals what is going on with its structure.
Accurate Home Inspection of Atlanta
Bearing Wall
A bearing wall, or load bearing wall, is designed to carry the weight of structural components above through to the supporting components below. Removal of or modification to bearing walls without serious design considerations can lead to the demise of the structural integrity of the dwelling. Sometimes, the structural weakness is seen almost immediately, while in other cases the weakness is only discovered over time.
Beam
This is a horizontally placed wooden, steel, or engineered member which supports floor framing members. It is a primary support member, and is often supported by wooden or steel columns (or posts), exterior walls, or foundational elements.
Corner Post
This describes an assembly of perhaps three or even four vertical studs nailed together tightly to make up a corner framing element in a dwelling.
Footing
Typically seen at the bottom of the foundation or stem walls, the footing is generally made of poured, reinforced concrete. Often wider than the foundation wall, the footing bears the full weight of the dwelling. In some instances, when the soil is not completely compacted or is wet, a spread footing is designed and installed. This is a footing which is wider than normal. Footings can be affected by soil conditions, water intrusion, and soil erosion. Improperly supported footings can crack and cause a host of structural problems, starting at the foundation wall and extending throughout the dwelling. Remember that in some newer foundation configurations, footings are not required. Only time will tell how well these homes will fair. A no-footing installation is most typically seen with pre-cast concrete foundation assemblies, where tamped gravel supports the load transferred through the foundation walls.
Header
Typically a horizontally placed wooden framing member that is made to support the load when an opening is made in a load bearing wall. Headers are typically installed above windows and exterior doors, or wherever an opening is made in an interior load bearing partition.
Jack Stud
Typically a wooden member or stud placed at the sides of an opening in a load bearing partition, and designed to support a header assembly above.
Joist
These members are typically made of dimensional lumber, though some products (sometimes called TJIs) are also used. The purpose of the joist is to provide a nailing and support system for the floor sheathing, and for the floor itself. The joist supports the live and dead loads placed on the floor assembly. TJIs (or equivalent), are like mini wooden I-beams, with 2"x2" square stock on the top and bottom (chords), and plywood or oriented strand board between the two. Attic or ceiling joists are used to provide floor support in attic spaces, and also help to prevent the roof rafters from collapsing downward and pushing outward.
Rafter
Typically, this is a wooden framing member, extending from the ridge to beyond the top plate of an exterior wall, or serving as a connecting point between two sloping sections of roof structure. Though this is the most common description, there are other named rafters which are installed in a slightly different manner. For instance, a jack rafter (short), may not extend to the top plate but may connect a variety of structural roofing components.
The 2006 IRC states the following about water pipe electrodes:
A metal underground water pipe that is in direct contact with the earth for 10 feet (3048 mm) or more, including any well casing effectively bonded to the pipe and that is electrically continuous by bonding around insulating joints or insulating pipe to the points of connection of the grounding electrode conductor and the bonding conductors, shall be considered as a grounding electrode. Interior metal water piping located more than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the entrance to the building shall not be used as part of the grounding electrode system or as a conductor to interconnect electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system.
Places where firestops are required:
Firestops must seal all unprotected openings in firewalls. In homes, firewalls are found in the following locations:between the garage and the living space, including the overhead ceiling;between the attic and the living space. Inspectors should be on the lookout for fireplace and wood stove flues that lack adequate fire-rated sheetrock or metal flashing firestopping, as in the photograph at right; firewalls that separate condominium units are often penetrated by utilities that serve multiple units. These utilities are sometimes contained inside chases that should be sealed where they pass through the firewall between units. Firewalls between units must be continuous, all the way to the roof. Inspectors should check in attics of multi-family dwellings to make sure that the firewall has not been violated in the attic space.
Common Problems With Firestops
Inspectors should call out any instances where firestops are missing, damaged, or otherwise inadequate. Brief explanations of firestop deficiencies commonly encountered by inspectors are listed below:
· missing firestop: Unsealed pipe penetrations will greatly reduce the ability for a firewall to contain a fire. This situation is more common in old buildings than in new buildings, due to changes in building code
Types of fuel-fired water heaters:
· Atmospheric Draft
Most backdrafting is the result of the characteristics of this type of water heater. Combustion gases rise through the ventilation duct solely by the force of convection, which might not be strong enough to counter the pull from dips in indoor air pressure.
· Induced Draft
This system incorporates a fan that creates a controlled draft. The potential for backdrafting is reduced because the induced draft is usually strong enough to overcome any competing pull from an indoor air-pressure drop.
· Sealed Combustion
The combustion and venting systems are completely sealed off from household air. Combustion air is drawn in from the outdoors through a pipe that is designed for that purpose. The potential
for backdrafting is nearly eliminated because the rate of ventilation is not influenced by indoor air pressure, and the vented gas has no pathway into the home.
· Water Heater Location
The installation of fuel-fired water heaters in particular household locations can increase the chances of personal harm caused by backdrafting. The 2006 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) states the following concerning improper location:
Fuel-fired water heaters shall not be installed in a room used as a storage closet. Water heaters located in a bedroom or bathroom shall be installed in a sealed enclosure so that combustion air will not be taken from the living space. H-clips, also called panel-edge clips, are small steel devices that fit snugly between wood panels in order to provide them with edge support. They are often used with roof sheathing to keep it from feeling spongy or soft at its edges. Their size should match the thickness of the panels to which they are attached. Determination as to whether they are required in construction varies by jurisdiction, but they are often helpful in situations where they are not required
What are the benefits of using H-clips?H-clips increase panel stiffness by allowing distribution of weight between adjacent panels. A panel is less likely to deflect when subjected to a heavy load near its edges if it is made stiffer. This stiffening is particularly helpful for very thin panels (such as 3/8" inch) that are especially prone to bowing under heavy weight near their edges.
The use of H-clips reduces the amount of required materials and lowers the cost of construction. A builder who uses H-clips may need fewer rafters to complete a project because the distance between them can be increased. H-clips may also allow builders to use thinner sheathing than they otherwise would be permitted to use. In either case, the cost of the job is reduced.
H-clips do not prevent wooden panels from buckling or warping. To the contrary, panels are more likely to buckle or warp when their room for expansion is limited, as is the case where H-clips are installed and panels are effectively connected to each other.
Where are H-clips required?
The 2006 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) requires the use of H-clips in construction, but not all jurisdictions comply with IRC regulations. For instance, Jackson, Miss., complies with the IRC while Harrison, Miss., does not. Some homes in jurisdictions that currently require H-clips were built before the IRC required them and are not in violation of code. Other homes were built before their jurisdictions adhered to IRC requirements. However, since InterNACHI standards of practice are limited to safety and system defects, it is not necessary for inspectors to determine whether a lack of H-clips constitutes a code violation.
A lack of H-clips should not be noted as a defect unless:
construction plans reveal that their use is required. Keep in mind that inspectors will probably never see these plans.the inspector knows for a fact that they were required in a building's jurisdiction at the time of construction.
The 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) requires that AFCIs be installed within bedrooms in the following manner: E3802.12 Arc-Fault Protection of Bedroom Outlets. All branch circuits that supply120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp outlets installed in bedrooms shall be protected by a combination-type or branch/feeder-type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit.
Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit, provided that:The arc-fault circuit interrupter is installed within 6 feet of the branch circuit overcurrent device as measured along the branch circuit conductors, and The circuit conductors between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the arc-fault circuit interrupter are installed in a metal raceway or a cable with metallic sheath.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) offers the following guidelines concerning AFCI placement within bedrooms:Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit in family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, sun rooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
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