JerryM

I agree with MJR as it looks like a bad concrete mix coupled with exterior moisture infiltration. If there's any steel rebar in that foundation wall it will only get worse, but by the age of the building I doubt they used steel rebar? Start by checking the exterior grade and seeing if you don't have ponding against that section of foundation in wet weather.

Scott's answer best case scenario. There's plenty of risks in doing property inspections with looking for one like that.

Say what you see and what you could not see, and why you couldn't see it.

"With this kind of foundation, it's nearly impossible to keep rodents out from under the house. Expect mice, rats, chipmunks, voles, shrews, etc, etc." AND, even a RE agent or two? [:-party]

Jim is right, post and pier support systems went out with the Studebaker. You'll need to be in overdrive during your inspection and then you'll be a hero to your client and pond scum to the agents.

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After sitting a bar for a few hours and having enough to drink anything in a dress who walks in may look good?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but is it functional, in satisfactory or serviceable condition?

Originally posted by allspec33351

It's never happened to me, I always seem to find things.

Captain

I agree with Jim Katen’s opinion, but would like to add that what was the first thing the job foremen shouted when the concrete truck arrived? “Add 10â€

How come I can't see any details, photos, drawings, etc. of that sink's drain lines?

Chimneys & Vents: IRC, Chapter 18.

Chimneys & Vents: UMC, Chapter 8

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A man who will not put his opinion in writing, sign and date it is not worth the paper it's printed on, not.

You did your job Philip, move on and don't worry about folks who appear felony stupid.

Just finishing "The House of Mondavi, the Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty" by Julia Siler. A real soap opera with all the required ingredients - very entertaining - yet sad.

Landing yes, concrete no. IRC 2006 311.5.4.

Yes. Got code book? Read IRC 2006 312.

Download and print this sign for handouts at your next inspection. I'm sure you'll be a big hit. (BAM!)

I neither need nor desire to explain and/or defend what I classify as a classic psychometrically valid exam. The only thing I will attempt to explain is that if you have ever been to Disney Land I’m sure you’ve noticed those horizontal bars at a certain height where the line forms to get on the ride. If you can walk under those bars without hitting your head you didn’t ride, but if your head hits it you got on.

Basically both NHIE and CREIA’s entry exams are set up in the same way to help determine if an entry level person’s knowledge about conducting a home inspection is adequate. Most entry level folks walk cleanly under the bar their first attempt, but after study many are able to retake and pass on their second attempt. Having worked on CREIA’s exams since 1999 and being very familiar with the NHIE exam it’s my opinion they’re the top two exams in the home inspection industry from what I have seen. ASHI did the smart thing in divorcing themselves from a national entry level exam for home inspectors otherwise I don’t think many states would adopt any entry level exam from any inspector association if they where licensing their Home Inspectors? BTW, if anyone thinks writing a psychometrically valid exam is simple, well – God love em…………………...

Oh-oh, naturally the one I don't have, but that will be soon remedied. [:-paperba

Thanks Jim.

Brian has it right in speaking to defensive writing as a serious problem in inspection reports. Ah, the French thought the Maginot Line was defensible, but the Germans just went around it. Lawyers will do the same with that type of writing. I wish the great majority of inspectors would quit trying to be clever defensive writers, they’re lousy at it anyway, and just keep it simple and direct.

When I review an inspection report where I have to wade through a fancy cover pager, 3 pages of fluff about the inspector’s fabulous background and training, 3 more pages of “it’s not my faultâ€

My theory is that most inspectors “borrowedâ€

I concur with Jim K and frankly have never read what I believe to be the ultimate book on conducting home inspections although I admit I have not read all of them.

IMHO the best of the bunch has long been Rex Caldwell’s book followed by Norm Becker, Carson-Dunlap (nice visuals) and Barry Stone. The rest run the gamut from mundane to pathetic filled with stuff that will likely make you the star performer at either a binding arbitration hearing or in a court of law. Besides collecting code books I have a long and full shelf of “How To Inspect *****â€

I’ve used the word “appearsâ€

Words that should never be used within reports:

Marginal – what mean?

Appears – it is or it ain’t

Good – a totally subjective word - would you say the roof covering is bad?

Exactly who determines if it’s applicable?

The Golden Rule of reporting: Report the current condition of everything you see and report everything you could not see and why you couldn’t see it.

"A rose by any other name is still a rose."

Time has shown that over the long haul you can’t fool the smart ones, at least not for very long because they can usually sniff out phonies within minutes. Therefore, it follows that smart home buyers and smart real estate agents will on average retain top-drawer inspectors. The result is that during what the real estate industry likes to call a “market adjustmentâ€

If you're into history I highly recommend "To Rule the Waves" - How the British Navy Shaped the World - by Arthur Herman.

(from her recent disclosure I suspect Bonnie might like it?)

Scott

I've talked to the folks at ICC about the type of exam you posted, but when one figures the start-up investment and then the maintenance it's just huge. The big problem is that far too many states want to legislate their own brand of licensing and the requirements differ by what interest group is in charge.

But some day, who knows?

INTERNACHI - Hmmmmmm? I think I’ll start a new association and call it INTERGALLACTIC-ACHI. [:-slaphap

I’m sure Nick won’t mind. Send me a check and I’ll send you my thanks.

This morning's news noted that national repossessions for failure to keep current with mortgage payments is up 87% from last year. Not a good sign and apparently the result of lending folks money on home purchases they couldn’t afford as long as they passed the verifiable pulse test?

Greed is not good! [:-paperba