1. The Home Inspection Book: A Guide for Professionals By Marcia Darvin Spada Copyright, Thomson/South-Western, 2003, Revised, 2006

2. Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 2 Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site

3. 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

4. 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

5. Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 5 Appurtenances  Air rights  License  Profit  Subsurface rights  Water rights

6. 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

7. Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 7 Water related problems Hydrostatic pressure Flood Surface runoff Soil erosion

8. Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 8 Soil Factors in Grading Land Slope Soil texture Permeability Percolation rate

9. 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

10. Chapter 5 Inspecting the Site 10 Landscaping  Conceals unsightly areas  Noise barrier  Defines space  Removes pollutants Greater salability

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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