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Curtis Petty

Real Estate Blog Selling your home/Consumer Information

08-07-09
Curtis Petty

Exiting Structures IRC {Ref.R102.7}

What kind of inspector do I need. One with experinece,education,certified master inspector.

Accurate Home Inspection of Atlanta

As a building inspector I have heard some pretty ugly stories from agents that had people so in love with a home until a in experienced inspector arrives on the scene.Writing up as many small items to justify the knowledge.If your a agent reading this story you know excattly what I'm talking about.Every little thing an inspector writes up is not required to meet certain standards that many inspector seem to write in their report. Education of housing codes,and experience is something that is not givin to any building inspector. Certain materials could have been aproved at administarion levels.

There are a number of features common to all of the International Codes. Each code begins by stating its scope of application. The scope establishes the range of buildings, uses,construction,equipment, and systems to which the particular code applies. A purpose statement follows the scope and includes the intent of the code to provide standards to protect the health,safety, and welfare of the public.

The bottom line,is this: All new and resale homes have defects, regardless of the competence and integrity of the builder or the construction supervisor or repair contractors through the years that may have performed repairs. If this were not the case, the essential imperfection of humanity would be disproved.

Provisions allowing the legal occupancy of Home or building to continue without fully complying with current codes are often referred to as grandfathering or Grandfather clause. The IRC provides such relief for exiting structures.To impose regulations to bring exiting homes into current compliance would be impracticle and unreasonable and would penalize home owners that complied with appilicable laws at the time of their construction.Of course,if, due to the lack of maintance or repairs fall below the general acceptable threshold for sanitation,health,safety, and welfare of the occupants, the IRC requires corrections in accordance with specfic code provisions referenced of the IPMC or the IFC.
Only modification or addition need to comply with current code. These things are such as having water
heater replaced,or heating systems,New electrical Panel up grades, room additions that may alter exting
structure load transfers.

As a inspector performing a inspection on a older home as long as the foundation,electrical,plumbing,roof framing,application of material are in good order,and have no water infiltration hidden in wall cavitys that house drain and supply plumbing lines,No electrical safety concerns,No differential settlement or soil eroision,then I let the buyer know what is going on behind the scenes through years of experience
and education and field experience.

Additons, alterations, or repairs cannot cause any portion of the structure to become unsafe or adversely
affect the buildings performance. If an addition framing improperly impeded the means of egress to the out doors, added excessiveloading to existing structure members,overloaded the electrical system, or exceeded the capacity of the plumbing DMV system, then these areas would have to comply with code standards.

Permissive code for older structure such as GFCI,AFCI circuits could be ask to be added for safety only
on exiting homes.

The Uniform Codes Act is codified at chapter 2 of title 8 of The Official Code of Georgia Annotated. O.C.G.A. Section 8-2-20(9)(B) identifies the ten "state minimum standard codes". Each of these separate codes typically consist of a base code (e.g. The International Building Code as published by the International Code Council) and a set of Georgia amendments to the base code. Georgia law further dictates that eight of these codes are "mandatory" are applicable to all construction whether or not they are locally enforced.

Vist website below for valuable Information.

www.findmeaninspector.com

New AC Minimum-Efficiency Standards in Effect.Atlanta Inspection

08-03-09
Curtis Petty

The SEER-13 air conditioning requirement is back. As of January 2006, air conditioning manufacturers must produce units with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating of at least 13. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the air conditioner. President Bush lowered the minimum to SEER-12 shortly after taking office, but a consumer lawsuit, joined by several states, forced a reversal to SEER-13. Builders and re-modelers have typically installed the previous minimum SEER-10 units, and the new requirement could double or triple the equipment cost.


Plus, an upgrade change out will no longer be a simple swap. "You can't put a high-SEER unit on an old evaporator coil and expect it to work," Fans and coils must match the new appliance, which usually means a new cabinet to fit the bigger parts and possibly new ductwork. Residential service contracts may not cover some of the additional costs necessary for a property owner to replace an older air conditioner with a new SEER-13 unit. The specific terms of the residential service contract will specify the extent of any coverage, as well as any costs to the property owner.

In some areas, SEER-13 appliances can significantly reduce energy bills and strains on the electric grid.
the switch will "drastically raise the cost to the consumer". In mild climates, homeowners may never recoup the additional upfront cost.

Half a year after 13 SEER became the minimum for new air conditioning systems, equipment offering nearly twice that efficiency rating is on the market.through the end of May, nearly 32 percent of industry split-system shipments were below 13 SEER.Nordyne and the systems it markets in Tappan, Westinghouse, Maytag, and Frigidaire brand lines offer 23 SEER models now in two-ton capacity and, as part of the same product line, 21 SEER in three- and four-ton sizes.


A five-ton unit will be available in the first quarter of 2007. The systems employ a Panasonic rotary compressor and an inverter board, "the brains of the iQ Drive system,"The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI) identifies itself as the HVACR industry's fundamental research
organization and is part of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and it's hard to quantify the benefits directly into SEER ratings. One of its key goals, however, is achieving a 50 percent reduction in HVACR annual energy consumption and peak electric energy demand in new residential buildings by 2020. That suggests higher SEER levels than what now prevails in the residential market.

Decline on blood lead levels of children/ Atlanta Lead TestIng.

07-29-09
Curtis Petty

Although significant declines have been observed in the overall mean blood lead levels of children, which can be attributed to Federal Government actions resulting in the removal of lead from gasoline and
soldered cans, approximately 1.7 million children are estimated to have blood lead levels high enough to be of a health concern. Lead poisoning affects children across all socioeconomic strata and in all regions of the country. However, because lead-based paint hazards are most severe in older housing in disrepair, the poor in inner cities are disproportionately affected. In some inner city communities, over half of all young children have lead levels exceeding the CDC threshold of concern (10 micrograms per deciliter).

Today, children in the United States are lead poisoned primarily through ingestion by normal hand-to-mouth activity and, to a lesser extent, inhalation. Because lead is ubiquitous in industrial societies,
there are many sources and pathways of lead exposure. The foremost source of childhood lead exposure in the United States today is lead based paint and the accompanying lead-contaminated dust and soil found in and around older houses.
Lead was a major ingredient in most interior and exterior house oil-based paints prior to 1950, with some paints containing as much as 50 percent lead by dry weight. In the early 1950s, other ingredients became more popular, but some lead pigments, corrosion inhibitors, and drying agents were still used.

In the 1950's and 1960's, several large cities in the United States banned the use of lead-based paint (using varying definitions) on interior surfaces in residential structures. In 1955, the paint industry adopted a voluntary standard limiting the use of lead in interior paints to no more than 1 percent by weight of nonvolatile solids. three-quarters of pre-1980 dwelling units contain some lead-based paint. The likelihood, extent, and concentration of lead-based paint all increase with the age of the building. Fully 90 percent of privately owned dwelling units constructed before 1940 contain some lead-based paint, 80 percent of dwelling units constructed between 1940 and 1959, and 62 percent of dwelling units constructed between 1960 and 1979 (``Comprehensive and Workable Plan for the Abatement of Lead-Based Paint in Privately-Owned Housing.


Children can also be exposed to lead found in bare soil. High levels of lead in soil around the foundation of a house may come from the scraping and repainting of exterior lead-based paint or simply the
deterioration of such paint.Office of Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Poisoning Prevention; Requirements for Notification, Evaluation and Reduction of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Federally Owned Residential Property and Housing Receiving Federal Assistance.

We provide EPD lead sampling and testing.Home owner insurance company are now also requiring lead testing before writing a policy.

Let us provide the peace of mind you need. Affordable testing.

Accurate Home Inspection of Atlanta www.Findmeaninspector.com

Atlanta Homes Relocation?

07-26-09
Curtis Petty

I have worked at the muncicipality level 14yrs before enterting the privite sector.After about five thousand home inspections - performing only two per day,maximum - I have seen - quite literally - only a handful of houses that needed significant structural work.The things I have run into are things that has happened after the {municipalitiy} framing inspection.You have electrician, plumbers, Hvac, tradesman finishing their rough-in tie in.You have the hvac techs.Installing flex duct, setting register, supply returns,running line sets(refrigeration lines),Setting vibration pads,mounting exterior disconects, ans so on.I have seen alot of problems in this area with mis matching, air handlers, supply not sealed properly,no installed to code standards. I even seen them cut common weight bearing load points to make room to help them set there units.This will not be looked at again.The framing has been signed off be the city inspector, who could have missed some load bearing points that could now be near where the hvac cut into the framing making this area weaker and will not show the dead load transfer diferiential settlement to some time later. This occurs with plumbers as well cutting into subfloor spans to deep weaken this area.All home constructed today all work is sub-contracted out.Foundation,framing,plumbing,electrical,drywall,roofing etc......These guys work hard and fast.

The faster they complete a job the more they have made.As a former municipal inspector I will tell you we never have the time or chance to hit every home.Alot of spot checking happens. This leaves the defects for the home owner who doesn't know what to look at other that the new carpet, and things that attract them to a home. I have inspected homes where there has been Co certificated and half the home there where electrical,plumbing,hvac, issue that not noticed in time will come back to haunt the owner.Always New or Used have your home inspected. It is well worth the fee with a full time Certified Building Code Inspector.He might not catch every flaw that exits, but the ones that get deep in your pocket.

Summer Fun on Decks Can Be Dangerous.

07-21-09
Curtis Petty

Atlanta Home Owners/Deck Safety!

12 people treated after East Atlanta deck collapse | ajc.com

More than a million decks are built and replaced each tear in the united states.While decks are a popular feature of many homes,the construction and safety of decks have come to be a big concern in the building industry.Improper deck building has resulted in a growing number of deck failures and related injuries and death.


In September 2006, a voilent deck collapse occurred.The potential purchasers,a family of five, were doing a final walkthrough on a single-family house in a quiet,older subdivision in larenceville, Georgia. The house was on a lot that slope away from the street. The back slding door was 12 foot above grade. There was a well built and well maintained 12' by 15' deck overlooking a wooded backyard. When the buyers walked out onto the deck,it pulled away from the home..but it didn't just fall down. As the deck pulled away from the house, the deck swung underneath, struck the outside support columns,and landed upside down. The Buyers were traped and injured. There were several more deck collapes that where recently in the news where several more decks have been on local news, and injuries have occured.

There is no source on how many decks there are in the United States,how many are being bult annually,or by whom.The NAHB estimates nearly 2 million.Decks are included in a third of all new homes being built today.800,000 decks were constructed in 2005 only. More than 60% of all ne homes either came with a deck,or incorporated the opportunity for out door living space.


While decks are required to meet certain code standards and local capacities,there are around 40 million exiting decks, that only half will probly be code compliant-and around 20 million decks needing replacement or repairs.Decks must be designed to to adequately resist certain stress like a home and support the weight of people and objects placed on them,as well as lateral and uplift loads that can act on the deck as result of wind or weakness.

The international residential codes states:"The construction of a building and the structures attached shall fall into accordance with the provisions of this code shall result in a system that provides a complete load path that meets all requirements for the tranfer of all loads from their point of origin through the load-resisting elements to the foundation."The complete or continuous load path refers to solid connections to the structure and load transfers through its frame to the ground supporting the structure.This is acomplished by creating load paths at structural connector and fasterners to connect the members together. __________________________________________________________________

THE LIFE OF A DECK:The life expectancy of a deck is 10 to 15 years.Decks are exposed to the eleaments,which can cause damage.It is important that you have your decks properly inspected. Maintance plays a big role in the condition and longivity of a deck.
International Residential Codes regulate proper proceedure, but many decks are installed long after the framing inspection of the structure. Code requires;


1)Footing-IRC-section {R403 }-footing shall be at leat 12" below the undisturbed ground surface.
2)Code IRC section {R502.9}-Where post beam or girder construction is used to support floor framing,postive connections shall be provided to ensure against uplift and lateral displacement.
3) IRC Code section {R502.7}-Joist must be supported laterally at the ends by solid blocking or attachment to full depth of header,band or rim joist.Lateral restraint must be provided at each support.
4)IRC code section{R301.5}-Staircases must be able to resist 40 pounds per square foot of tread area.
5)Stair Tread and Stringer IRC code section{R301.5}-individual stair treads shall

More than a million decks are built and replaced each tear in the united states.While decks are a popular feature of many homes,the construction and safety of decks have come to be a big concern in the building industry.Improper deck building has resulted in a growing number of deck failures and related injuries and death.


In September 2006, a voilent deck collapse occurred.The potential purchasers,a family of five, were doing a final walkthrough on a single-family house in a quiet,older subdivision in larenceville, Georgia. The house was on a lot that slope away from the street. The back slding door was 12 foot above grade. There was a well built and well maintained 12' by 15' deck overlooking a wooded backyard. When the buyers walked out onto the deck,it pulled away from the home..but it didn't just fall down. As the deck pulled away from the house, the deck swung underneath, struck the outside support columns,and landed upside down. The Buyers were traped and injured. There were several more deck collapes that where recently in the news where several more decks have been on local news, and injuries have occured.

There is no source on how many decks there are in the United States,how many are being bult annually,or by whom.The NAHB estimates nearly 2 million.Decks are included in a third of all new homes being built today.800,000 decks were constructed in 2005 only. More than 60% of all ne homes either came with a deck,or incorporated the opportunity for out door living space.


While decks are required to meet certain code standards and local capacities,there are around 40 million exiting decks, that only half will probly be code compliant-and around 20 million decks needing replacement or repairs.Decks must be designed to to adequately resist certain stress like a home and support the weight of people and objects placed on them,as well as lateral and uplift loads that can act on the deck as result of wind or weakness.

The international residential codes states:"The construction of a building and the structures attached shall fall into accordance with the provisions of this code shall result in a system that provides a complete load path that meets all requirements for the tranfer of all loads from their point of origin through the load-resisting elements to the foundation."The complete or continuous load path refers to solid connections to the structure and load transfers through its frame to the ground supporting the structure.This is acomplished by creating load paths at structural connector and fasterners to connect the members together. __________________________________________________________________

THE LIFE OF A DECK:The life expectancy of a deck is 10 to 15 years.Decks are exposed to the eleaments,which can cause damage.It is important that you have your decks properly inspected. Maintance plays a big role in the condition and longivity of a deck.
International Residential Codes regulate proper proceedure, but many decks are installed long after the framing inspection of the structure. Code requires;


1)Footing-IRC-section {R403 }-footing shall be at leat 12" below the undisturbed ground surface.
2)Code IRC section {R502.9}-Where post beam or girder construction is used to support floor framing,postive connections shall be provided to ensure against uplift and lateral displacement.
3) IRC Code section {R502.7}-Joist must be supported laterally at the ends by solid blocking or attachment to full depth of header,band or rim joist.Lateral restraint must be provided at each support.
4)IRC code section{R301.5}-Staircases must be able to resist 40 pounds per square foot of tread area.
5)Stair Tread and Stringer IRC code section{R301.5}-individual stair treads shall

to resist 300lbs concentrated load acting over an area of 4 square inches.
6)Railing to Stringer IRC code {R312.2}-The triangular openings formed by the risor,tread,and bottom rail of the guard at the open side of a stairway shall be a maximum size so as not to allow a sphere 6" in diameter to pass through.

Have you deck inspected by our certified inspector to ensure you and your family safety. Accurate home inspection services the atlanta area,south atlanta, mcdonough, stockbridge, fayetteville,tyrone,south fulton,palmetto,brooks,butt,spalding,pike,clayton county, rex, ellenwood, hampton,Henry,Newnan. We cover a 50 mile radius of the capital.

Wood-framed porches are an important part of the design styles of traditional homes and find wide use.They usually have some form of roof.They typically provide access to the entrances into a house,and provide a private area for relaxation.Both have similar construction requirements. A most important consideration is that they are exposed to the elements and therefore must resist rot,decay,expansion,contracting, and checking.


Post, joist, and decking or flooring should be either pressure-treated wood or a specie, such as redwood or cypress, that naturally resist decay when exposed to the elements.Porches may be tongue-groove boards, providing a closed floor, or square-edge boards with a space between, allowing for drainage.Tongue-and-groove trap water in the grooves and tend to deteriorate faster than open floor material. Tongue and groove porches floors require frequent painting or other water proofing.Porch floors, such as those used on a second-floor porch or balcony,are often waterproofed to keep the water from dripping onto the area below.They are built ,flashed, and waterproofed much like a flat roof. The decking can be waterproof plywood.

Decks are usually floored with 2-inch planks, spaced 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch apart to permit drainage and allow the floor to have cirulation,thus drying the planks.

Air Cirulations:
Porch and deck material must be installed so that air can circulate between adjacent members and promote drying.Some framers prefer to solid beams,because moisture tends to get between the built-up members and could possibly produce rot and damage.


Connectors;
Metal connectors,such as joist hangers and angles,must be heavily galvanized and designed for exterior ues.Nails must be galvanized or aluminum.Since the wood is exposed to the weather,it is subject to expansion and contraction.This tends to loosen nails and weaken joints.Bolts or screws provide more permanent connection.These must be weather resistant.Wood ledger strips can be used.watch video: Click here to watch the video...
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Louisiana-Pacific (LP) Corp., of Nashville, Tenn. has announced a voluntary recall of about 48 million linear feet of LP's composite decking.

According to CPSC, the recalled decking can prematurely deteriorate and unexpectedly break, causing consumers to fall through decks and be injured. So far, LP has received 37 reports of composite decks breaking, resulting in 14 injuries, including a broken wrist, sprained ankle, minor lacerations and bruises.The recall includes outdoor deck board and railings sold under the brand names LP WeatherBest(r), ABTCo., and Veranda(r). They are composite products that look similar to natural wood and were sold in various colors including Tuscan Walnut/Chestnut, Driftwood Grey/Greystone,Pacific Cedar and Western Redwood. Veranda decking products were manufactured by multiple firms; only products manufactured by LP are included in this recall.The product was manufactured in the United States and sold at Home Depot (Veranda brand) and building product dealers (LP WeatherBest and ABTCo. brands) nationwide from January 2005 to August 2008 for between $1.50 and $2.25 per linear foot.CPSC warns that consumers should stop going onto these decks immediately need inspection. If the decking is affected by premature deterioration, LP will arrange for free replacement.


Accurate Home Inspection of Atlanta www. findmeaninspector.com