ATTIC & ROOF                          GROUND & GUTTERS                 EXTERIOR WALLS         

DOORS & WINDOWS                  FOUNDATION & STRUCTURE               INTERIOR      ELECTRICAL                           PLUMBING                  HEATING                COOLING

INTERIOR PROBLEMS

Ceilings and walls

Water damages. Water damages may be caused by:

  • Roof or flashings leaks.
  • Plumbing leaks.
  • Skyligts, windows and doors leaks.
  • Heating (condensation units), cooling and humidifier drains leaks.
  • Ice damming (poor attic insulation and ventilation).
  • Condensation (e.g. missing walls insulation, humidifier set too high).
  • Mold (caused by water leak, moisture).
  • Inappropriate finishes (absorbent) in wet areas (wwod, drywall and plaster around bathtubs or showers).

Plaster or drywall problems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Bulging, loose missing.
  • Shadow effect.
  • Crumbling or powdery.
  • Nails pops.
  • Poor joints.

Roof truss uplift

Truss uplift is a phenomenon common in newer homes built with roof trusses and is normally due to moisture differential between the bottom chords and the top chords of the trusses. The bottom chords of the truss is buried in heavy insulation (normally 10"). In the winter the warm air from the ceiling below and the thickness of the insulation keeps the bottom chord dry, causing them to shrink. While the top chords are absorbing moisture and being kept damp with the high humidity in the attic. The dampness of the top chords of the trusses cause them to expand. This differential movement in the top and bottom chord of the trusses causes them to arch up in the center. When the trusses arch up it causes cracks in the ceilings at the center of the building. As the trusses dry out with the warm summer air they drop back down closing most of the cracks.

Floors

 



Wood

  • Squeaks. Squeaks are often the results of poor fasteningof the subfloor (plywood or planks) to the floor joists. This is especially true where the subflooring is nailed (not screwed and/or glued) to the joists. The squeaking noise is usually the nails sliding in and out of their holes. In some cases, the squeaky noise is wood to wood. Also squeaks may be caused by unsupported edges of plywood rubbing against each other as people walk across the floor.
  • Warpet, buckled.
  • Trip hazard.
  • Rot, stained.

    

Ceramic and stone



  • Cracked, broken.
  • Loose.
  • Grout missing.
  • Worn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Concrete



  • Cracked, settled.
  • Heaved.
  • Water penetration.
  • Efflorescence.
  • Slopes away from drain.
  • Hollow below.