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The articles at this website discuss the inspection, detection, diagnosis, and repair of structural defects on buildings and will answer most homeowner concerns.
We address foundation damage, leaning, buckling, bowing, and cracking, FRT plywood failures, chimney inspections and
safety concerns, causes and cures for rot, mold, and termites in buildings, sinkholes at building sites,
stair and rail fall and trip hazards, and also special inspection methods for mobile homes.
The sketch at left( courtesy Carson Dunlop) names the major structural components of a typical wood frame house set on a masonry foundation.
Structural Defect Recognition, Repair, Prevention for Building Structures, & Building Structural Failures
Most structural problems can be avoided by proper design and planning; but structural failures have been common for a long time, and sometimes are costly to
handle properly.
This photo of the leaning tower of Pisa was sent to us by our friend Tom Smith who knows a crooked building when he sees one.
Smith points out that the problems with the Tower have been known for generations and must have been apparent even during construction, as
the upper level was constructed with an offset to try to re-balance the structure. Modern reinforcement has permitted removal of cables
that used to be tied to the tower of Pisa. As Bernie Campbalik says about old buildings, "Yep, we had guys like that back then too."
Chernobyl Nuclear Plant this interesting document describes serious flaws in the construction of the Chernobyl Nuclear Facility, conditions which were discussed among Russian authorities long before the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred in the Ukraine in 1986
Chimney Movement is Ongoing - Evidence is a guide to recognizing when chimney movement has been ongoing rather than a single or initial settlement or movement event.
Flood Vents to avoid structural damage during building flooding, flood venting, flood ports, or flood gates on buildings
Foundation Inspection, Materials, Defect Diagnosis, Repair Guide
FOUNDATION CRACK BIBLE, how to inspect and diagnose foundation problems, in-depth diagnosis, and evaluation of all types of structural and non-structural cracks in residential foundations [Brick, Concrete, Masonry Block, Stone]
Foundation Construction Materials how to identify different materials and types of foundation, how to recognize the effects of sequence of construction on building durability
FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION how to recognize things that were left out, like footings, reinforcement, soil compaction, during foundation construction
Log Home Guide a guide to inspection, diagnosis, & repair of log homes, antique or old log cabins, modern kit log homes, vertical log construction, horizontal log construction, log checking, log home leaks, log home rot, log home sealants, gaskets, and coatings.
WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS series of articles on the causes and cures of high indoor moisture, wet basements, wet crawl spaces, and moisture related problems like attic condensation and mold.
X-Ray Vision for Home Inspection: [Advanced Building & Building Site Inspection Techniques] - Developing your X-Ray Vision, Levels of Fear, and how to use them to find and report significant, hidden problems on Buildings or in the inspection of almost any complex system
Rot, fungus, Termites, Carpenter Ants, Powder Post Beetles, & other Wood Destroying Organisms
The Sick House/Sick Building Information Website
Organized, un-biased, in-depth advice about mold, allergens, and other indoor contaminants: finding, testing, cleaning, clearance testing, and
preventing mold, mildew, wood destroying (rot) molds (fungi). Explains how to assure that testing for toxic or
allergenic molds is performed using valid field and lab methods. Advice and test procedures are provided for
odors and odor source detection, toxic gas testing and gas source identification.
"House Eating Fungus"Meruliporia incrassata (also called "Poria" the house eating fungus) in the U.S. or
Serpula lacrymans in Europe) can cause severe structural damage. Evidence of hidden "poria"
may be found by expert inspection methods which include tracing sources and paths of probable Building
leaks and moisture traps. Further, careful indoor particle sampling methods can often permit the presence
of this mold to be identified in the laboratory.
Rot, fungus, termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, & other wood destroying organisms
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Daniel Friedman - ASHI (1986-2006) - author of this website and article, building failures researcher.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
"Concrete Slab Finishes and the Use of the F-number System", Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., F.ASCE, online course at www.pdhonline.org/courses/s130/s130.htm
Sal Alfano - Editor, Journal of Light Construction*
Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and some of the foundation inspection photographs cited in these articles
Arlene Puentes, ASHI, October Home Inspections - (845) 216-7833 - Kingston NY
Greg Robi, Magnum Piering - 800-822-7437 - National*
Dave Rathbun, P.E. - Geotech Engineering - 904-622-2424 FL*
Ed Seaquist, P.E., SIE Assoc. - 301-269-1450 - National
Dave Wickersheimer, P.E. R.A. - IL*
*These reviewers have not returned comment 6/95
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs
Links to more information on inspection, diagnosis, and repair of defects in foundations and structures
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
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