Roofing: The most
common defects found are
usually roofing issues.
Usually they do not need
replacing; only minor
repairs.
Electrical Hazards:
Usually more common in older
homes. Electrical
problems come in many
different forms.
Rotten Wood:
Rotten wood usually results
from extended exposure to
moisture and is usually
found on exterior trim or in
bathrooms and kitchens (see
more below).
Ceiling Stains:
Stains are usually caused by
leaks and it is difficult to
determine if they are from
current issues or ones that
have already been repaired.
Plumbing Problems:
Plumbing issues are usually
found in the form of leaks
and slow draining issues.
They are less likely in
newer homes.
Gas Furnaces:
Furnaces should be inspected
to see if routine
maintenance has been done,
including gas company
certification and also
should be inspected for
proper fire clearances.
More:
Algae:
Microorganisms that may grow
to colonies in damp
environments, including
certain rooftops. They can
discolor shingles. Often
described as "fungus."
Alligatoring:
A condition of paint or aged
asphalt brought about by the
loss of volatile oils and the
oxidation caused by solar
radiation. Causes a coarse
checking pattern characterized
by a slipping of the new paint
coating over the old coating to
the extent that the old coating
can be seen through the
fissures. "Alligatoring"
produces a pattern of cracks
resembling an alligator hide and
is ultimately the result of the
limited tolerance of paint or
asphalt to thermal expansion or
contraction.
Asbestos:
A common form of magnesium
silicate which was used in
various construction products
due to its stability and
resistance to fire. Asbestos
exposure (caused by inhaling
loose asbestos fibers) is
associated with various forms of
lung disease. The name given to
certain inorganic minerals when
they occur in fibrous form.
Though fire-resistant, its
extremely fine fibers are easily
inhaled, and exposure to them
over a period of years has been
linked to cancers of the lung or
lung-cavity lining and to
asbestosis a severe lung
impairment. A naturally
occurring mineral fiber
sometimes found in older homes.
It is hazardous to your health
when a possibility exists of
exposure to inhalable fibers.
Homeowners should be alert for
friable (readily crumbled,
brittle) asbestos and always
seek professional advice in
dealing with it.
Bleeding:
The migration of a liquid to the
surface of a component or
into/onto an adjacent material.
Blister:
An enclosed raised spot evident
on the surface of a building.
They are mainly caused by the
expansion of trapped air, water
vapor, moisture or other gases.
Blue Stain:
A bluish or grayish
discoloration of the sapwood
caused the growth of certain
mold like fungi on the surface
and in the interior of a piece,
made possible by the same
conditions that favor the growth
of other fungi.
Bubbling:
In glazing, open or closed
pockets in a sealant caused by
release, production or expansion
of gasses.
Buckling:
The bending of a building
material as a result of wear and
tear or contact with a substance
such as water.
Carbon Monoxide:
CO. A colorless, odorless,
highly poisonous gas formed by
the incomplete combustion of
carbon.
Cohesive Failure:
Internal splitting of a compound
resulting from over-stressing of
the compound.
Condensation:
Water condensing on walls,
ceiling and pipes. Normal in
areas of high humidity, usually
controlled by ventilation or a
dehumidifier.
Corrosion:
The deterioration of metal by
chemical or electrochemical
reaction resulting from exposure
to weathering, moisture,
chemicals or other agents or
media.
Crater:
Pit in the surface of concrete
resulting from cracking of the
mortar due to expansive forces
associated with a particle of
unsound aggregate or a
contaminating material, such as
wood or glass.
Crazing:
A series of hairline cracks in
the surface of weathered
materials, having a web-like
appearance. Also, hairline
cracks in pre-finished metals
caused by bending or forming
(see Brake Metal).
Cupping:
A type of warping that causes
boards to curl up at their
edges.
Dampproofing:
A process used on concrete,
masonry or stone surfaces to
repel water, the main purpose of
which is to prevent the coated
surface from absorbing rain
water while still permitting
moisture vapor to escape from
the structure. (Moisture vapor
readily penetrates coatings of
this type.) "Dampproofing"
generally applies to surfaces
above grade; "waterproofing"
generally applies to surfaces
below grade.
Decay:
Disintegration of wood or other
substance through the action of
fungi.
Distortion:
Alteration of viewed images
caused by variations in glass
flatness or in homogeneous
portions within the glass. An
inherent characteristic of
heat-treated glass.
Drippage:
Bitumen material that drips
through roof deck joints, or
over the edge of a roof deck.
Dry Rot:
See Fungal Wood Rot.
Feathering Strips:
Tapered wood filler strips
placed along the butt edges of
old wood shingles to create a
level surface when re-roofing
over existing wood shingle
roofs. Also called
"horsefeathers."
Fungal Wood Rot:
A common wood destroying
organism which develops when
wood containing material is
exposed to moisture and poor air
circulation for a long (6 months
+) period of time. Often and
incorrectly referred to as dry
rot.
Fungi (Wood):
Microscopic plants that live in
damp wood and cause mold, stain,
and decay.
Incompatibility:
Descriptive of two or more
materials which are not suitable
to be used together.
Lead Based Paint:
Lead is a highly toxic metal
that was used for many years in
products found in and around our
homes. Lead may cause a range of
health effects, from behavioral
problems and learning
disabilities, to seizures and
death. Children 6 years old and
under are most at risk, because
their bodies are growing
quickly.
Migration:
Spreading or creeping of a
constituent of a compound
onto/into adjacent surfaces. See
bleeding.
Mud Cracks:
Cracks developing from the
normal shrinkage of an emulsion
coating when applied too
heavily.
Mushroom:
An unacceptable occurrence
when the top of a caisson
concrete pier spreads out
and hardens to become wider
than the foundation wall
thickness.
Photo-Oxidation:
Oxidation caused by rays of
the sun.
Ponding:
A condition where water
stands on a roof for
prolonged periods due to
poor drainage and/or
deflection of the deck.
Pop-Out:
See Stucco Pop-Out.
Radon:
A naturally-occurring,
radioactive gas which is
heavier than air and is
common in many parts of the
country. Radon gas exposure
is associated with lung
cancer. Mitigation measures
may involve crawl space and
basement venting and various
forms of vapor barriers.
Scrap Out:
The removal of all drywall
material and debris after
the home is "hung out"
(installed) with drywall.
Seasoning:
Removing moisture from green
wood in order to improve its
serviceability.
Settlement:
Shifts in a structure,
usually caused by
freeze-thaw cycles
underground.
Sludge:
Term for the waste material
found in sump pump pits,
septic systems and gutters.
Spalling:
The chipping or flaking of
concrete, bricks, or other
masonry where improper
drainage or venting and
freeze/thaw cycling exists.
Splitting:
The formation of long cracks
completely through a
membrane. Splits are
frequently associated with
lack of allowance for
expansion stresses. They can
also be a result of deck
deflection or change in deck
direction.
Ultraviolet Degradation:
A reduction in certain
performance limits caused by
exposure to ultraviolet
light.
UV Rays:
Ultraviolet rays from the
sun.
Veining:
In roofing, the
characteristic lines or
"stretch marks" which
develop during the aging
process of soft bitumens.
Warping:
Any distortion in a
material.
Water Vapor:
Moisture existing as a gas
in air.