The Old House Webis pleased to offer excerpts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development'sResidential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide. Over the months ahead, we'll publishthe entire book in installments.
Home Inspection
- Low-pitched roofs
How to identify potential trouble spots on flat (or nearly so) roofs - Decks, porches and balconies
How to inspect for current or potential trouble spots. - Site drainage issues
How to inspect the grounds of your old house for drainage questions. - Windows and doors
Here's how to inspect these complex systems from the outside for exterior defects. - Background about this series of stories
The Residential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide - Termites, ants and other wood-destroying organisms
Fungi, ants, beetles and other pests can destroy houses -- new or old. Here's how to identify these pests. - Moisture, insects, structural problems...
The basement or crawl space is often the most revealing area in an older building - Air conditioning
Inspecting cooling systems - Alternative cooling systems
Inspecting geothermal systems, heat pumps, evaporative coolers - Bulging, bowing and cracking
Inspecting the construction and condition of retaining walls - Site improvements Resale Value
Checking landscaping, stairs and walkways for safety, condition - Gutters and downspouts
Inspection and regular cleaning key to healthy roof drainage - Preparing for inspection
Get the most out of your house inspection with some early preparation - Home Inspection: Checklist #1
Examining the site of a house - Home Inspection: Checklist #2
Looking at possible trouble spots on the outside of your home - Home inspection: Checklist #3
Examining the home's interior - Home inspection: Checklist #4
Examining structural issues - Home inspection: Checklist #5
Electrical system - Home inspection: Checklist #6
Checking the plumbing in a house - Home inspection: Checklist #7
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system - Siding
Inspecting the outside skin of your home - Inspecting chimneys
Height is key in preventing down-drafts - Interior spaces
Inspection procedures common to all interior spaces, including finished attics and basements - Site Improvements Outbuildings Yards
Outbuildings, yards and courts - HVAC Introduction
Components of the HVAC system - HVAC Fire Burning Units General
Fuel-burning units, general - HVAC Forced Warm Air Heating Units
Forced warm air heating systems - HVAC Hot Water Heating Systems
Forced hot water (hydronic) heating systems - HVAC Steam Heating Systems
Steam heating systems - HVAC Electric Resistance Heating
Electric resistance heating - Structural components
Inspect floors and footings for cracking, damage - Seismic and wind resistance
Homes in hurricane, earthquake zones should be examined for vulnerability - General masonry inspection
Cracking, vowing, spalling, sweeping...and other general issues about masonry structural systems - Masonry foundations and piers
Uneven settlement, ground movement, moisture can all cause problems - Above-ground masonry walls
Examine masonry walls for this long list of common problems - Inspecting Chimneys Series
When to rebuild home chimneys - Wood structural components
Sloping, springy floors, wall cracks, sticking windows all signs of wood structural problems - Iron and steel structural components
Corrosion main source of problems - Concrete structural components
Inspect floors and footings for cracking, damage - Finding The Right Contractor For Your Project
When renovating an old house, it's important to find the right contractor. Here's how to weed through your options and find the right fit. - Hiring a Good Supervising Contractor
Wondering how your contractor will do with the day-to-day supervision of workers? - The Old House Web Home Hazards Series
Keeping your home clear of hazards should be part of your schedule of routine home maintenance tasks. However, if you are similar to most homeowners, you probably rarely inspect your home unless you're selling it! As a result, your old home could be harboring hazards that could not only affect your pocketbook, but also your family's health. - Old House Web Home Hazards Series - Grounded Outlets and GFCI
- Old House Web Home Hazards Series - Asbestos
- Old House Web Home Hazards Series - Lead Paint
- Old House Web Home Hazards Series - Radon
- Lead Poisoning and Children - The Risks in Your Old House
National Poison Prevention Week is March 14-20, 2010. Most homeowners mistakenly think lead is a problem only if they have chipped paint. Find out how lead gets in the dust and soil in your home, and what you can do about it.
