Commom Inspection Problems in Kokomo Homes
ByHome Inspector Responds -
Common Problems Seen in Kokomo Homes
A few weeks ago, I posted advice about doing a thorough inspection of a house before you make an offer. (Inspect That Kokomo Foreclosure Before You Make an Offer) Today, I’m pleased to present a guest posting by home inspector Mark Maupin of Cirrus Home Inspections. He’s going to tell you about one of the most common problems he finds in homes he inspects in and around the Kokomo area.
As a home inspector, I come across many issues in homes. They range from the minor to the major issues and cover safety, maintenance and repair recommendations, improvement ideas, etc.
People often ask me what are the most common problems I encounter during a home inspection and what present the most serious concerns. My answer to that is supporting structure problems.
The problems encountered are typically drainage or insect related and can generally be corrected. But correction comes with a varying degree of cost – specific to the actual circumstances involved.
Wood destroying insects (e.g. termites, powder post beetles, etc) if active and left unchecked can cause serious damage to the home in general. If significant damage is created in the structure itself – repairs will have to be made or other portions of the home may be affected.
Below are some pictures of the more extreme cases of insect damage I have come across in my years of inspecting homes right here in north central Indiana. No home is immune to such damage.
Termite Tubes on Blocks in Crawl Space
In this next picture, the floor joist looks OK but it is totally hollowed-out by termite damage. I actually just pushed the screwdriver through it!
Hollow floor joist
In this picture next picture, you can see that the wood beam is actually sagging like an “S”. That is due to the termite damage you saw in the picture above.
Beam sagging due to termite damage
On to another problem causing structural issues…
Drainage and moisture related problems can affect houses new and old and the problems are very similar. If you have water issues, you will eventually have water related problems ranging from wood rot, increased exposure to wood destroying insects, structural problems, added mold possibilities, etc.
The picture below shows typical damage I find in homes as little as 5 years old to much older structures.
10 year old home with severe water problems
This 10 year old home with water problems and improper spray-foam insulation application resulted in every floor joist on the front side of the home rotting. Note the mold (yellow specs) growing on the floor joists
Often, moisture related problems can be remedied with simple steps. Sometimes, more costly means must be used.
Key items for improving an existing home or building a new home to avoid water issues include:
- Downspout extensions from the foundation 6′ to 8′
- Eave overhangs
- Installing and keeping gutters clean and in good repair
- Eliminating mulch from around the foundation/home
- Sloping the ground away from the foundation to allow water to “shed” (6″ for the 1st 10′ is desirable)
- Removal of dense vegetation from around home to let the house “breathe”
- Sump pumps and drain tiles
- Vapor barriers and gravel in crawl spaces
- Either no insulation or properly installed insulation under the floor. You should NOT be able to see any insulation facing from below (a very common problem). If there is a barrier on the floor, there should NOT be a facing on the insulation.
- Recommend not using spray-foam insulation in crawl spaces or basements on the wall/wood surfaces
- Adequate venting in crawl spaces
As you can see, bugs and water can cause major “hidden” problems in a house. Don’t get stuck with unseen problems.
Home inspections cover a multitude of systems and items so that you know what you are buying before you get stuck with major problems. Inspectors check the house top to bottom. This is just one small piece of what Mark inspects. Once the inspection is completed, he goes through his findings in detail with you. He also makes general maintenance recommendations. And as a follow-up, Mark sends you a detailed written report.
If you have questions about home inspections, the process itself or would like to schedule a professional inspection, please feel free to contact Mark Maupin at:Cirrus Home Inspection
Logansport/Kokomo/Peru/Wabash
765-457-5993 (Kokomo Office)
574-753-4701 (Logansport Office)
574-727-5740 (Cell)
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4 Comments
April 7th, 2009 at 4:21 am
The Home Inspection can save you and your building from natural calamities and Hazardous accidents that can harm your life.Now you can understand your new home better with the Home Inspection.
April 7th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Definitely! The best investment a potential buyer can make in their future is a home inspection. The couple of hundred dollars spent on an inspection can save them thousands of dollars and countless head aches in the future.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I recently ran into a new homeowner that went without an inspection. 3 months after living in the house, he realized there was over 6k dollars worth of damage done to the support joists and beams. An inspection is critical prior to buying a home.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Larry, you are so right! Perfect example of how one homeowner “saved pennies” to spend thousands! I checked your link – great points homeowners and future homeowners need to heed.