Ask the Inspector: Foundations & Driveways

The structure of a home or business’ foundation depends on several factors, including: soil type, climate, structural materials, building footprint, the topography of the area and the age of the building. Basements may be common in some areas and almost nonexistent in others. No matter what the situation, a good foundation is essential to a safe structure.

A NPI professional will visually inspect the interior and exterior of the home or business to determine what type of foundation was used, including the materials. The inspector will also assess the current condition of visible areas of the foundation. This includes noting cracks, leaks and areas where shifting or settling are visible. Home inspectors are not engineers and are not licensed to discuss the structural integrity of the building or areas that cannot be visually assessed. In certain cases, the inspector may recommend further investigation by a licensed engineer.

What your home or commercial inspector can do is point out problem areas, check the slope and drainage of areas around the foundation where water ponding can cause leaks and point out conditions that may become dangerous. For instance, standing water in a basement or crawlspace, evidence of previous water damage or water damage near electrical elements are all serious safety concerns.

For more information on plumbing or a general home inspection, contact National Property Inspections.

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Be Advised

Because common foundation materials, like cement blocks, are somewhat porous, an air or vapor barrier can be important when it comes to insulating a basement, crawlspace or other unheated area, such as a garage. To improve comfort and utility costs for adjacent heated rooms, it may be prudent to consider adding insulation to the ceiling or walls of the unheated space.

A vapor barrier installed on the warm side of the insulation will prevent air movement through the insulation, adding to its effectiveness. Of course, this is difficult to do once insulation is already in place. It is important to avoid putting air/vapor barriers on the cold side of insulation. This can trap moisture in the insulation, causing possible rot around wood framing members or wall. Air and vapor barriers should not be used to hold insulation to the ceiling of an unheated garage or crawlspace.

It is advisable to add a moisture barrier like a polyethylene sheet to cover earthen floors if present in a crawlspace or basement. An earthen floor can result in elevated moisture levels in the air and promote rot in wooden structural beams if left alone. The moisture barrier should be sealed at the joints and around the perimeter. A layer of gravel or sand can help prevent rips or tears.  

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Exterior Christmas Lights

The idea for using electric lights to decorate Christmas trees has been around since at least 1882. That’s when Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, proposed the concept. Today, many people use their energy dollars to light up their indoor and outdoor trees, their houses, bushes and yards.

Producing the best display on the block means not only being the brightest, but the safest. Although a safer idea than candlelight, electric holiday lights remain a serious fire hazard if used improperly. To protect your family and neighbors, make sure to purchase lights rated by a reputable laboratory for indoor or outdoor use.

When hanging exterior lights, use hooks with dull edges or insulated holders, never tacks or nails. This will avoid puncturing the wire’s insulation.

Never shut doors or windows on holiday lights or extension cords, and make sure all exterior lights are plugged into an approved GFCI circuit.

Water and electricity never mix. If a ladder is required for outdoor lighting, practice ladder safety and avoid areas near power lines. Keep lights and connections out of snow or standing water.

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Driveways

Before families and friends come by for holiday cheer, it’s a good idea to take stock of outdoor areas around your home, including sidewalks and driveways. Look for safety issues. When it comes to driveways – slope, drainage and trip hazards are the items of greatest concern. Cracks, or potholes can mean ice accumulation, water pooling and possible trips or falls. These can undermine the surface of larger areas of the driveway and should be added to any list of items for future maintenance and repair.

Driveways should be sloped so that water runs away from any buildings, including the garage and foundation of the home. Drains and swales can help divert water if properly installed. Water and moisture that pool against foundations can eventually result in moisture seeping into the home.

Taking stock of the condition of a driveway also means careful consideration of unfinished areas and landscaping. This might be a flower bed with missing edging, leading to pooling water or erosion or a small tree planted too close to a paved surface or sidewalk that can become a bigger problem later. Small trees become bigger trees with root systems that can cause cracking or upheaval of hard-surface driveways or walkways. 

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Maintenance Matters

Water and weeds wage war against driveways every year. Water seeps under hard surfaces and erodes softer surfaces. Small cracks, created by the water, are prone to weed growth. If not treated, small cracks will soon become larger cracks.

If water is cutting rivers through a dirt or gravel driveway, address the drainage issue first, then fill the cracks. For potholes, the same is required. For the best results, start by cutting the edges of a pothole straight down. Add fill material. Tamp down. Add more fill and tamp until the resulting layer is slightly above level. Drive the car over the spot several times until level.

Crack repair compound, cold patches and sealer for asphalt driveways are available at most home repair stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for best results. For deeper potholes, you will need to use a fill material and tamping methods above to fill the hole to a level where the cold patch asphalt will work. Avoid attempting asphalt repairs when rain is expected within 24 hours.

No matter what driveway maintenance project you want to tackle, having the right tools and equipment makes the job much easier. If you are dealing with severe cracking, you may need to call a service technician for further assistance.  

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Moving with Pets

Moving can be a stressful time for the whole family. A little forethought can help make the transition easier on the four-footed family members. Try the following tips:

Visit your veterinarian before you make the move. Make sure you get copies of your pet’s records, including vaccinations. You may want to check state and local laws in the area you are moving to as well. They may require additional shots or specific information for licensing.

Keep your pet’s schedule as familiar as possible. Don’t try new foods if you can help it.

Avoid leaving pets alone in a parked car. On warm days, temperatures can reach over 120 degrees F in just a few minutes.

Make sure your pet wears identification at all times. Trips in and out of the house during the move are a perfect time for pets to escape. A collar with identification tags, or a microchip may help find your pet faster. If at all possible, put the pet in a small room with the door closed during the unloading process. Place a large do not enter sign on the door and inform anyone helping you to avoid that room.

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