How to Inspect Your Home Improvement Ground and Walls

Even if it's not possible to inspect the construction of your home as it happens, there are several things you can look for upon completion. Even professional inspectors wait until the job is complete to check several things.

One thing to check is that the ground is graded properly. The yard should, at the very least, be sloped slightly away from the house. This will allow for proper drainage and run off for rain water and routine lawn watering.

This will also keep water from accumulating around the base of the house. If this water lays there long enough, it will eventually start to make it's way into your foundation and basement. Many homes experience some moisture in these areas, but even small amounts can cause major headaches over time.

This moisture can lead to mold buildup, which can potentially lead to health problems. Moisture that has extended contact with walls will eventually damage the drywall. Moisture can also wreak havoc on your floors by causing plywood to warp, thus making your floors bulge and become weaker.

Some homeowners are faced with more serious water problems, such as measurable standing water. A sump pump can get rid of the water, but a dehumidifier is also necessary to get rid of moisture in the air. This will help prevent mold from forming.

There are very good reasons for the fact that foundations are flat and horizontal, and walls are vertical and perpendicular to the foundation. There are some exceptions to this rule, of course, but most homes are designed this way due to gravity, human biology and sun movement.

In addition to looking odd, walls will be weaker if not built at right angles. Roofs and walls are designed the way they are, with trusses and cross member support beams, to maximize strength and stability. This helps them to withstand forces of nature, such as wind, rain and earthquakes. These designs make everything fit together to provide strength and resist leaks.

Knowing these basic facts will provide you with some tools with which to judge the quality of construction.

Even homebuilders are human, so no home will be perfectly square and level. There is, however, tight tolerances that they should be able to meet to ensure that everything fits together well and remains functional.

Just as an inspector would, you can get up above the ceiling and check things out. Even if there is no attic, there is usually some type of crawl space you can have access to. Always be careful to stand and walk only on support beams if there is no full attic.

Take a good look at the trusses to make sure the ends are angled right. Trusses come in 'M' and 'W' styles, but they all need to fit correctly with other roof components and walls. There are metal pieces on the ends to join pieces together. Be sure that there are no cracks in these areas.

The two most basic requirements for a well built home are solid, level or slightly sloping ground for drainage, and a well built, stable skeleton. If these two things are not done correctly, it doesn't matter what else you do.

Use these tips to check things out for yourself. A positive report from an inspector is always good, but having the knowledge to inspect certain things for yourself can give you an added piece of mind that you might not normally have.

         

Home Improvement Construction Articles