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FOUNDATION AND ROOFFOUNDATIONLot Drainage: The inspection of the foundation components is limited to that which is visible and accessible. Basement: A basement is created when a foundation wall: a) extends far enough below grade and b) is free of fill on the interior side to allow for walking access beneath the house. Basement foundation walls may be made of dry laid stone, mortared stone, brick, concrete block, or poured concrete. Basement floors may be dirt, loose stone, or a poured concrete slab. The basement walls and floor will be inspected for signs of structural weakness (cracks, slumping) and for signs of water infiltration (standing water, stains, and efflorescence). Slab on Grade: This is a poured concrete pad, several inches thick, commonly used for garage floors, but which can also be used for interior house floors or patios. Properly constructed, a slab includes perimeter frost walls, and is reinforced with steel rod. Raised Foundation: A raised foundation is commonly set on piers or walls of stone or concrete, with an air space or crawl space between the ground and the wooden components of the floor frame.  ROOFAsphalt Shingles: Also referred to as composition shingles, this material’s typical life expectancy is 12 to 25 years. In some cases, up to three roofs can be installed over existing shingles. Some jurisdictions limit this to two additional layers. I recommend a limit of two layers, total. Wood Shake & Shingles: Wood shake & shingle roofs can be expected to last 20 to 35 years depending upon the thickness and quality of the material. Damaged shakes must be replaced annually to properly maintain water tightness. Wood can deteriorate quickly due to constant moisture. A wood roof must always be protected against fire. Slate: This material is one of the most enduring, lasting 50 to 100 years or more. It is very brittle and expensive, both to install and to repair. Inspections are limited. Metal & Fibrous: Metal roofing material comes in many forms. Two common installations in this climate are corrugated roofing that is nailed through the high ridges (normally on out-buildings), and raised-seam roofing, a roof that is initially expensive, but is also low maintenance and long-lasting. The main attraction of a raised-seam roof is its ability to shed snow and ice, eliminating ice-dam formation. Fibrous roofing is a mixture of various materials, commonly cement and perlite Clay & Concrete Tile: These types of roofs are seldom found in northern New England, presumably because of frost, snow, and ice. These are very durable materials and have a typical life of 30 to 50 years. However, this surface should not be walked on as tiles will be easily damaged. Inspection of these roofs is significantly limited. Built-Up Roofing: The distinguishing feature of this roof is its surface covering. It is commonly installed on low slopes. Maintenance consists of regular inspection and repair of any worn areas due to its potential for poor drainage. This type of roof is seldom installed on residences in this climate. Single-Ply: Single ply membranes, a relatively new roofing system, are becoming more popular. They come in the form of large sheets of a rubber or PVC based compound. These are seldom used on residences in this climate. Foam: Elastomeric coated polyurethane foam. Periodic re-coating is required to extend its service life. Exposed Flashings: Flashings are commonly made of sheet metal, and protect against water infiltration and degradation at roof edges (eaves and gable ends), penetrations through the roof (chimneys, vents and skylights), where two sections of roof meet (valley), or where a roof surface meets a vertical house wall. The Attic: A – Attic access
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First-Time Buyers5% Discount off total fee for first-time homeowners |
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Finished or partially finished basements limit access. Moisture in basements and crawlspaces is a common problem and any indication of water penetration should be reviewed. Control of rain and surface water around the house is critical to keeping foundation areas dry. Moisture can cause decay and deterioration to wooden components and excessive water can cause damage to foundations. Regular inspection and constant water management is recommended.
Flashings are installed with some portions visible, and other portions not visible. The inspection is limited to the visible portion.