Walkways

Steps and Handrails

Grades

Grades

Exterior Windows

Exterior Walls

Part of every Strong Foundations home inspection includes inspection of your common walkways. Since common walkways are your responsibility, we look for any irregularity in the sidewalk surface of 1/2 inch or more that could be considered a trip hazard. This sidewalk section is an example of a trip hazard that should be corrected for safety.

Any run of steps with three or more steps should have a handrail for safety. In addition to these steps not having a handrail, the height of the bottom step to the yard is approximately 10 inches while the other step heights are 8 inches. This is considered a trip hazard and should be corrected.

The condition of exterior surface grades is one of the major factors that contribute to a wet or dry basement. The poor surface grade in this picture slopes towards the house and allows water to hold and drain directly next to the exterior foundation wall. As a result, moisture penetration was found on the interior basement wall. Grades should be pitched to slope away from the house.

This picture shows the surface grades sitting higher than the top of the basement window well. This will result in surface water running into the window well and eventually into the basement.

Exterior wood trim around windows and doors is susceptible to rot from exposure to moisture. The exterior wooden window sill in this picture was never properly protected with a caulk seal where it meets the bricks. Water got under the sill and damaged the wood. Extensive rot has set in and the sill will need to be replaced.

Brick walls are composed of bricks and mortar joints, otherwise known as pointing. The pointing hold the bricks together and also keeps water from getting between the bricks. In this picture, the pointing is starting to deteriorate which will allow water to enter the open joint. When this happens, water can freeze and expand which will cause the pointing to deteriorate even further. This joint will need to be repaired by a stone mason to prevent further damage.