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After all that is said and done, locating a termite infestation is sometimes challenging but always rewarding. As you can see in the photo there is a brown colored clay material that is glued into place between sections of floor joists located in one area of a-the unfinished basement. While checking the polarity of some electric receptacles I happened to look up and found the evidence of termites. With this much mud encased between the floor components, it was quite evident that termites had been here in the past and for a long time.
What is also interesting is that due to closed walls, the distinct possibility of additonal damage exists within the built up beam or girder. I disclosed this termite evidence in both the home inspection report and also in the Wood Destroying Insect document. I called for further evaluation of the built up beam/and the removal of some drywall material in order to do this.
The common situation that sometimes abruptly surfaces: after doing a Central New Jersey home inspection and returning to the house to pick up a radon canister only to be confronted by a disgruntled homeowner telling you that you had made life very difficult for them. All too often I hear, ”that it wasn’t required when the house was first built so why even mention it during the home inspection.” Or the realtor may say that there is no need to recommend future changes, that no more is needed.
When I go out to do a home inspection I need to do the job as I see fit. I will report things as I see them but will also mention and include in the report findings “safety upgrades” as they come up, especially in older homes. When talking with other home inspectors I find they are faced with the same sense of ingratitude coming from the selling realtor and/or the homeowner. Even though something wasn’t required when the older home was first built, I feel the home inspection “ is the perfect time to educate people” in regard to how to improve the condition of their Central New Jersey home.
My area of expertise is home construction and design in New Jersey. I have spent many years educating myself in this field of endeavor. I consider myself a generalist. but also a house expert who understands how the structural, mechanical and electrical systems should work together in a house. Many homes, old and new, were built with minimum standards. The average person may not understand how& when a house is supposed to be maintained. They are not house experts. That’s where I come in.
I don’t see why anyone would have a problem with a home inspector “recommending” safety upgrades? If an older home doesn’t have GFCI protection, I always recommend them. I also ask my clients if they actually know what GFCI’s are used for. If they don’t, it’s “time for me to educate” them about the importance of these modern safety devices.
I always check to see if handrails are up to today’s current safety standards here in New Jersey because- this is always a big safety issue. Or egress windows that meet minimum requirements- providing an escape-way in case of a fire. Of course garage doors need to be installed correctly and openers need to have proper auto-reversing function fully operational. And the garage floor and living space floor should not be at the same height- that could allow gasoline fumes to enter into the house during an accidental spill and cause a fire or explosion. And any access hatches into the attic that would affect the integrity of the firewall.
Many times I see that in older homes that there is no division/or fire safety wall that separates the attic area between the living space of the house and the garage. The installation of an attic fire wall between the garage and the home’s living space is an important concern. I know of a whole block of older townhouses that recently burned down in New Brunswick, NJ because there were no fire walls. Installing a firewall could save the rest of the house or buildings from going up in flames. It could help provide needed time for the fire department to respond to the emergency and save the home or buildings and it’s inhabitants from disaster.
It may sound like a cliche to talk about fire safety tips in the central New Jersey area
during the holiday season, but if there’s one statistic that bears
repeating, it’s this: Even with adequate smoke alarms, a house fire today can
become uncontrollable in less than(3) three minutes.
That’s down from an average 17 minutes in 1975 — a whopping 82 percent
difference. And the reason for the drastic change, according to a report by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, isn’t just the type of house you live in, but what you put inside.
“It’s not how old the home is, but it’s the furnishings,” Jack Watts,
Director of the Fire Safety Institute, told AOL Real Estate.
A spokesperson for the National Association of State Fire Marshals told AOL
Real Estate that the worst culprit in home fires is upholstered
furniture, because it often contains highly flammable polyurethane foam. These
all-too-common materials provide the fuel for what fire experts call the
flashover — the point at which everything in the room simultaneously bursts
into flames. It doesn’t help that many of today’s homes are built with more
open floor plans and modern building materials like wallboard that can lead to
faster fires, according to the Wichita Eagle.
The numbers show an alarming trend. In 1977, the first year when data was
available, there were 750,000 residential fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
In 2010, there were roughly half that many, thanks in large part to widespread use of smoke detectors. But the incredible speed with which home fires can spread in today’s homes represents a major step backward in fire
safety.
What should I know about the condition of a masonry chimney? What is a mortar wash? What are chimney caps used for? These are all good questions that deserve a valid answer.
- Chimney Components
The proper functioning of the masonry chimney that is usually located at the top of the house roof is crucial to the operation of the combustion appliances connected to it. Normally connected to the home’s heating unit and domestic water heater. Sometimes, if there are two separate chimney flues, one can be used with a fireplace and the other with a furnace or boiler.
- Masonry Chimney
Most masonry chimneys are made with concrete or cinder block and than covered with brick. At the top of the chimney, a concrete flashing is used to cap the masonry unit’s structure and keep rain water out and penetrating inside the chimney. These cement washes, however should not be considered by themselves a long term solution to guard against moisture penetration. All cement washes should be covered with a metal chimney cap to keep the rain water out.
Cement Wash
Over time the chimney can develop severe damage and deterioration due to water seepage inside the masonry structure. A white powdery substance can develop on the outside surface of the chimney indicating that moisture has penetrated the chimney and is evaporating from inside the brick, hence the term given is efflorescence.
- Chimney Deterioration
However there may be other internal forces at hand that can lead to additional deterioration of the masonry chimney’s internal components. Most modern home heating appliances use either gas or oil. During normal operation of the house’s heating appliance, a natural by product of combustion is the creation of water vapor. If the chimney is not properly sized or lined for the combustion to properly take place while discharging the water vapor out of the chimney, a lot of deterioration will develop over time due to excessive condensation water left inside the chimney. The result will be damage to the inside of the masonry chimney.
- Chimney Rebuild
So in conclusion, to adequately check a masonry chimney first look on the exterior for any obvious damage. Than if possible go on the roof and check the chimney top. It is highly recommended to hire a chimney sweep to clean and than inspect the interior of the chimney for loose or broken components.
When searching for a home and a non-occupied home comes into view, buyers should be extra careful. Even many lived in houses lack proper maintenace and a house that has been vacant for some time may be much more of a challenge.
Houses that have been abandoned could have leaking or broken plumbing fixtures, or even cracked water supply pipes. Problems with blocked or damaged galvanized drain pipes happen quite often in older homes.
It’s important to know that there is adequate water pressure and that the drainage is functional or you might be in for a unexpected major expense. Many times the galvanized pipes in older houses become deteriorated and close up from inside the pipe either restricting the water flow of supply pipes or stopping the drain pipes from effectively functioning. Sometimes the entire plumbing system may have to be replaced.
Foundation cracks may contribute to damp basements and there is always the possibility of termite damage within the framework. If horizontal cracks are noted it is usually caused by poor grading and hydrostatic pressure against the outside wall of the house. With an excessive bending of the foundation wall correction will involve excavation and repairs to the wall itself.
Wall or ceiling stains should always be further evaluated. Not only is it important to determine the cause of the water stains but there is always the possibility of hidden damage to the framing. Usually a good home inspector will carry a moisture meter to determine if the stain is active or not. When it comes to any structural damage it is always better to get a few different estimates and several opinions.
Another concern is the electrical system of the house. It there a profusion of extension cord wires running around the house the electrical sysem may be outdated. An entire electrical upgrade may be needed. A home inspector should be able to tell you if a new panel and wiring is needed or if additional receptacles will be adequate.
New Jersey Home Inspection Law was first initiated it took about a year for someone to become licensed. The requirements were classroom study and test with a required number of inspections to be preformed. Things were looking good.
Since that time the home inspection law has been watered down quite a bit with minimal qualifications of as little as three weeks of class room training. We can thank the politicians that we voted in for permitting this to happen…a rushed, rushed crazy way of doing things. I know. I was actively promoting licensing home inspections in New Jersey at that time.
My point is that the buyer should beware of less experienced inspectors who offer lower prices than the norm. You know as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Licensing is now a minimal qualification. Organizations such as (ASHI) American Society of Home Inspectors require high educational standards and a minimal of 250 paid inspections before becoming a Member. That should feel like a breath of fresh air compared to what has happened to the industry. Before booking an inspection, please try to find out the credentials of the person that will be doing your home inspection.
