June 7, 2016

Structural Components

structural components - home inspection As per the International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection set by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, B to B Home Inspections will inspect the home’s structural components abiding by the following:

Ed Lawton, the inspector at B to B Home Inspections, shall inspect the following structural components. At the time of this part of the inspection, the inspector will inspect:

  • the foundation;
  • the basement;
  • the crawlspace; and
  • structural components.

Description

The inspector shall describe the type of foundation and the location of the access to the under-floor space.

Report

The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

    • observed indications of wood in contact with or near soil;
    • observed indications of active water penetration;
    • observed indications of possible foundation movement, such as sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, and unlevel floors; and
    • any observed cutting, notching and boring of framing members that may, in the inspector’s opinion, present a structural or safety concern.

Please note, the inspector is not required to:

    • enter any crawlspace that is not readily accessible, or where entry could cause damage or pose a hazard to him/herself.
    • move stored items or debris.
    • operate sump pumps with inaccessible floats.
    • identify the size, spacing, span or location or determine the adequacy of foundation bolting, bracing, joists, joist spans or support systems.
    • provide any engineering or architectural service.
    • report on the adequacy of any structural system or component.

As per NJ State Standards

When conducting the inspection of the structural components, the home inspector shall:

1) Inspect:
i) Foundation;
ii) Floors;
iii) Walls;
iv) Ceilings; and
v) Roof;

2) Describe:
i) Foundation construction type and material;
ii) Floor construction type and material;
iii) Wall construction type and material;
iv) Ceiling construction type and material; and
v) Roof construction type and material;

3) Probe structural components where deterioration is suspected unless such probing
would damage any finished surface; and

4) Describe in the home inspection report the methods used to inspect under-floor crawl
spaces and attics.

References

International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection.” InterNACHI. N.p., June 2013. Web. 07 June 2016.

“13:40-15.16 STANDARDS OF PRACTICE.” NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: HOME INSPECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Home Inspection Advisory Committee (n.d.): n. pag. NJ Consumer Affairs. 20 Apr. 2015. Web.