The Home Inspection Book: A Guide for Professionals

By Marcia Darvin Spada

Copyright, Thomson/South-Western, 2003, Revised, 2006

2 Chapter 7

 Inspecting the Interior Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

3 Chapter 7 Key Terms

 Ash pit dump door/ pit/ cleanout door  Building envelope  Catalytic combustor  Damper  Efflorescence  Extension springs  Flue/flue collar  Grout  Gypsum board  Internal reversing mechanism  Lift handle Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

4 Chapter 7 Key Terms continued

 Metal lath  Non-catalytic stove  Photoelectric eye  Resilient floor covering  R-Value  Section joint  Subfloor  Throat damper  Torsion springs  Trim  Vapor barrier  Wythe Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

5 Interior Inspection Components

 Doors and locking mechanisms  Walls  Ceilings  Floors  Insulation  Vapor Barriers  Ventilation systems  Garage and door openers  Basement  Crawl spaces  Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

6 Diagram of An Interior Door

Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

7 A Non-Load Bearing Wall

Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

8 Gypsum board covered with tape and joint compound

Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

A Metal Lath 9

 Metal lath is found inside plaster walls  Older homes used wood lath  Inspection point:  When plaster walls have become wet, then a dry powder-like substance forms  Plaster is found in homes 50 year older or more Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

10 Types of Ceilings

 Cathedral ceiling  Tray ceiling  Exposed ceiling  Suspended ceiling  Ceiling tiles  Inspection points :  Bulges  Cracks  Water damage Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

11 Inspecting the Floors

 Floor materials:  Resilient flooring  Wood  Clay tile  Inspection points :  Raised bumps  Sags  Tears  Loosening from the subfloor  Ripples  Swelling/buckling Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

12 Insulation Locations

 Insulation is placed wherever the interior walls, ceilings or floors are exposed to exterior temperatures Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

13 Two Types of Insulation

Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

14 Insulation with and without a Vapor Barrier

Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

15 Attic Considerations

     Opening Accessibility Insulation Wiring Ventilation  Inspection points:   Condensation causing mildew and wood rot Location of insulation     Location of baffles Air flow across attic space Method of ventilation Examination of roof rafters Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

16 Inspection of the Garage

 Attached or detached  4-12 inches below main floor of house  Finished or unfinished  Cracked, water stained or decayed walls  Location of furnace and ventilation  Attic access  Floor slab  Electrical system  Dirt floors-pest infestation  Door opening mechanism  Check for internal reversing mechanism Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

17 Inspecting the Basement

 Inspection points:  Water penetration through foundation wall efflorescence  Trap connected to sewer line  Leak in sewer pipe  Water stains and rust  Water stains on dry wall  Wood rot on paneling  Mold, mildew  Water damage to resilient floor tile  Furnace room ventilation  Furnace room drywall  Basement stairs Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

18 A Cross-Section of a Fireplace

Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior

19 Fireplace components

 Flue Damper Cleanout door  Hearth  Firebox  Ash Dump door  Ash pit  Ash pit cleanout door  Baffle Chapter 7 Inspecting the Interior