The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Care And Repair Of The House

If one is handy with tools and able to perform the ordinary tasks, he probably will wish to make his own inspection, in which case the following brief description of where to look and what to look for, may be helpful1 (see fig. 1, Essential parts of a house) :

Foundation Walls and Basement.

To avoid overlooking important points, the inspection should be conducted in a systematic manner. The inspection might well begin in the basement.

Examine the foundation walls for cracks and observe whether mortar in joints is loose or has fallen out. The floor should be examined for cracks or signs of disintergration, and any evidence of leakage through the walls or the floor should be noted.

If there are wooden sills on top of the walls, see whether they are sound and whether cracks between wall and sills are calked to keep out moisture and cold air.

See whether there is fire stopping on the sills between floor joists and, if so, whether it fits snuglv, especially around pipe openings. (Careless fire stopping allows fire to spread and permits rodents to get into the walls above.)

If the basement is not ceiled, the joists can be examined for signs of sagging or of warping. These defects often occur because the support or bridging is not sufficient. Look for possible shrinkage in the framing.

See whether there are signs of damage in posts, sills, joists, and other woodwork caused by termites or other destructive insects. Also look for evidences or decay from dry-rot, especially in sills or at ends of joists adjoining masonry.