The Home Inspection Book: A Guide for Professionals By Marcia Darvin Spada Copyright, Thomson/South-Western, 2003, Revised, 2006
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 2 Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 3 Chapter 5 Key Terms Appurtenance Baluster Drainage Grading Groundwater Headroom Hydrostatic pressure Percolation rate Retaining wall Riser Slope Slope gradient Soil permeability Stringer Surface runoff Topography Tread Water erosion Water table Weepholes
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 4 Site Topography Includes: types of soil location of wetlands, springs, floodplains forest areas rocks, trees, vegetation A major characteristic of land is its immobility
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 5 Appurtenances Air rights License Profit Subsurface rights Water rights
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 6 Drainage and Grading Drainage The land’s ability to draw off surface water Grading Prepares the soil for construction
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 7 Water related problems Hydrostatic pressure Flood Surface runoff Soil erosion
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 8 Soil Factors in Grading Land Slope Soil texture Permeability Percolation rate
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 9 Ground Water and the Water Table Water table Uppermost boundary of the groundwater High water table Causes hydrostatic pressure on the slab floor Footing drain tile Diffuses water away from the foundation wall
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 10 Landscaping Conceals unsightly areas Noise barrier Defines space Removes pollutants Greater salability
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 11 Retaining Walls The most common cause of retaining walls’ failure is inadequate drainage Weepholes Small perforations in the wall that allow drainage Weepholes
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 12 Steps and Stoops A stair is composed of three main parts Tread Riser Stringer Inspect stairway for stability and condition of the rail
Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 13 Inspection Areas for Porches Crawl space Slab Loose mortar, brick, siding Floor Balusters, rails, steps Foundation Support piers if porch does not have concrete foundation