What Is A Home Inspection?

What is a home inspection?

Before we get into specifics, let’s clarify what a home inspection means. A home inspection is a third-party evaluation of a home’s structure, systems, and other key features that helps determine the true value of the home. The vast majority of home sales require an inspection before the sale is official. An inspector reports their findings to the buyer who can then request that the seller fix any issues or else accept a lower sale price.

Home inspections protect buyers from purchasing homes and then having to immediately put in more money to fix problems that the seller may or may not have already known about.

Why you should get an inspection for a new construction home

Most sale contracts for new buildings and homes include a final walkthrough, but it may not include an inspection. You should ask your real estate agent to include an inspection contingency in your contract, and plan to pay for an independent inspector on your own.

You probably won’t find serious issues (like outdated plumbing or faulty wiring) since a municipal inspector from the county will make sure it's up up to city code and building safety standards — but, that doesn't mean there aren't any flaws with the new place, even when builders use approved plans and successfully receive an occupancy permit.

Some contractors to work too fast or only according to the bare minimum of building code. Many contractors subcontract their projects to other vendors so the people you think are building a new house aren’t always the ones doing it. Those subcontractors may not be as competent, and, of course, all builders are human. Mistakes happen.

You should not assume that a new home is perfect just because it’s new. In fact, problems occur with new buildings so frequently that there are a number of issues you could label “common.” They may look great on the outside but they could have a number of hidden issues. Home inspectors know what to look for in these situations.

Common problems with new homes

• Structural defects like foundation cracks, faulty grading, or poor framing.
• Drainage and grading issues or window leakage.
• Electrical problems like poorly wired outlets, open grounds, and missing switch plates.
• Plumbing issues like reversed hot/cold faucet handles, improper piping, and leaking.
• Incomplete construction like missing fixtures, railings, or insulation.

When you hire a home inspector, they’ll also take local building codes into account which vary by state, city, and county. They’ll look for s examine trenches, soil, elevation, framing, appliances, HVAC systems, connections to municipal water lines, and more.

3 necessary inspections for new homes

A new home inspection differs from an existing home inspection in a number of ways, but the most significant difference is that you may want to pay for several types of them. 

The earlier you can start on a new construction inspection, the better. That’s not always possible but if you contracted the entire project yourself, it’s important to stay involved in the process. There are three common types of new construction home inspections, and experts advise you pursue each, regardless of cost. (It will be far more expensive than fixing big problems later.)

The foundation inspection

As the name suggests, the foundation inspection occurs just before the builders pour the foundation. For this reason, it’s sometimes also called a “pre-pour” inspection. An inspector ensures that the site has been excavated and graded correctly, and that all anchors and footing were laid correctly and at a proper distance from one another. Basically, the inspector ensures the home will go up on a strong foundation that will last for decades to come. 

Builders can fix any identified issues before pouring the foundation. If a mistake goes unnoticed, they may have to total the house and start again.

The framing inspection

After the builders finish the frame, you can bring in an inspector to perform a framing or “pre-drywall” inspection. At this stage, the roof should be on and the windows installed, but the sheetrock and walls aren’t up yet. As such, an inspector can see the beams, posts, studs, and other structural components, as well as the electrical and plumbing systems. Again, these may be costly to repair after moving in, so it’s good to let an inspector get inside the walls before the walls even exist. 

If anything is wrong, it might slow down the project, but it’s preferable to tearing open walls to fix an issue in the future.

The final inspection

The final inspection is most similar to an ordinary home inspection on an existing home. This inspection ensures that the home is safe to live in, has been finished up to local building code and standards, and has no electrical, plumbing, appliance, or even cosmetic issues that might cost a buyer money in the near future. Anything an inspector finds should be fixed by your builder but as stated before, it’s best to start early because they may argue if a previous inspector missed something, it’s not worth the cost of fixing.

Just as you would an existing home, you should hire an inspector for a new construction. Building a house is no small task and there are many moving parts and opportunities for things to go wrong. Inspecting the project multiple times throughout the building process can avoid costly mistakes and help ensure you move in on time.

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What Is A Site Plan?

 What Is a Site Plan?

A site plan (also called a plot plan) is a drawing that shows the layout of a property or “site”. A site plan often includes the location of buildings as well as outdoor features such as driveways and walkways. In addition, site plans often show landscaped areas, gardens, swimming pools or water, trees, terraces, and more. Site plans can be large-scale showing entire plots of land with the buildings on-site or can be of smaller scale useful for creating a garden or backyard plan.

Why Are Site Plans Important?

Site plans are essential for garden designers and landscapers to create layouts and show changes to a property. 

Site plans are also an important part of marketing real estate properties to show the complete property, including key outdoor features. Site plans give potential homebuyers an idea of the size, scale, and orientation of the property, better than photos do.

Site Plan vs. Floor Plan

The difference between a site plan and a floor plan is that a site plan demonstrates all the structures on a property area or piece of land whilst a floor plan illustrates the interior layout of a building. 

Both site plans and floor plans are useful in presenting a property, with site plans having the added benefit of including the surrounding grounds and plot.

Types of Site Plans

There are three types of site plans that are helpful for real estate, landscape design, and home improvement projects:

• 2D Site Plans

A 2D Site Plan gives you a clear overview of the layout of your property. It can be a simple black and white diagram or color-coded to show different landscape features such as green areas or paved areas.

• 3D Site Plans

A 3D Site Plan is a full-colored 3D rendering of your landscape layout. 3D Site Plans make it easy to understand and visualize what the landscape actually looks like including details such as structures, materials, plantings, and more.

Contact Jackson and Sands and we can help you design your site plans for your property today! 

Happy Holidays

 

 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Jackson and Sands Engineering! 

900 East Main Street, Suite 109

Grass Valley, CA 95945

530-648-4232

info@jacksonandsandsengineering.com

What Is A Retaining Wall?

A retaining wall is designed to hold in place a mass of earth or the like, such as the edge of a terrace or excavation. The structure is constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil when there is a desired change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil.

A basement wall is thus one kind of retaining wall; however, the term usually refers to a cantilever retaining wall, which is a freestanding structure without lateral support at its top. These are cantilevered from a footing and rise above the grade on one side to retain a higher level grade on the opposite side. The walls must resist the lateral pressures generated by loose soils or, in some cases, water pressures.

Every retaining wall supports a "wedge" of soil. The wedge is defined as the soil which extends beyond the failure plane of the soil type present at the wall site, and can be calculated once the soil friction angle is known. As the setback of the wall increases, the size of the sliding wedge is reduced. This reduction lowers the pressure on the retaining wall.

The most important consideration in proper design and installation of retaining walls is to recognize and counteract the tendency of the retained material to move downslope due to gravity. This creates lateral earth pressure behind the wall which depends on the angle of internal friction and the cohesive strength of the retained material, as well as the direction and magnitude of movement the retaining structure undergoes.

Lateral earth pressures are zero at the top of the wall and – in homogeneous ground – increase proportionally to a maximum value at the lowest depth. Earth pressures will push the wall forward or overturn it if not properly addressed. Also, any groundwater behind the wall that is not dissipated by a drainage system causes hydrostatic pressure on the wall. The total pressure or thrust may be assumed to act at one-third from the lowest depth for lengthwise stretches of uniform height.

It is important to have proper drainage behind the wall in order to limit the pressure to the wall's design value. Drainage materials will reduce or eliminate the hydrostatic pressure and improve the stability of the material behind the wall. Drystone retaining walls are normally self-draining.

Contact Jackson and Sands Engineering today! We would love to help with the designs of your retaining wall. 

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What Is A Erosion And Sediment Control Plan?

An erosion and sediment control plan is a strategy for specific sites that need to identify erosion risks and determine controls to be put in place in order to reduce the amount of erosion and sedimentation that can occur as a result of a project.

There are construction activities that expose the soil, making it vulnerable to wind and water which then causes erosion and sedimentation. Eroded soil can cause a range of problems, such as a reduction in water quality and even affecting crop growth.

Erosion and sediment control plans are designed to address any concerns regarding the negative impacts of erosion and sedimentation and what should be the appropriate actions to address these concerns and reduce the risks.

Erosion, simply put, is the ground wearing down. Erosion occurs when the ground shifts due to wind and water, among other reasons. Building structures, the occurrence of some natural events, and the implementation of land management techniques can all lead to erosion. This can cause the soil to lose much of its natural water, affecting the crops. Erosion also exposes the subsoil, a layer of earth that typically doesn’t have the same qualities as the topsoil, which can have a significant effect on the environment.

Since man-made structures and land management techniques can contribute to erosion, organizations and those working on the land need to implement measures to reduce erosion and sedimentation. This is what erosion and sediment control is and what it’s for.

Simply put, erosion and sediment control is the process of preventing erosion and reducing the movement of sediment in the ground. This drastically prevents erosion and sedimentation from affecting the environment and causing significant consequences.

There are many ways to control sedimentation and erosion, and the process is necessary when working on specific sites. And to ensure that an organization takes the appropriate measures to control erosion and sedimentation, many localities require a comprehensive erosion and sediment control plan before allowing the project to commence.

Erosion is a natural process that can occur over time. Usually, erosion is caused by water and wind, which wears down the earth. However, human activities may also cause erosion. And when left unchecked, erosion can have a significant impact on businesses, society, and the environment as a whole.

A good example of this is the crops. The crops that humans grow to sustain themselves require specific soil conditions. This doesn’t just mean the chemical composition of the soil, but it also means the water levels underground. When there’s a lot of erosion and sedimentation, the chemical properties and the water levels undergo change. This can have an effect on crop yield and crop growth, which in turn has a massive effect on society.

Aside from being a requirement for certain projects and structures, erosion and sediment control plans are necessary to keep the environment safe. Having a proper erosion and sediment control plan indicates that the organization did the research on the potential effects of their project and ensured that it wouldn’t significantly harm the environment and soil conditions.

Contact Jackson and Sands Engineering today! We can help create a erosion and sediment control plan for your new build!

Learn more on erosion and sediment control plans here...

Are You Ready For Snow Season?

 

 For those who live in snow areas, here is a great video providing tips for removing snow from your roof     which can help prevent roof collapse or damage. If your roof experiences any damages this winter season, Don't hesitate to contact Jackson and Sands Engineering. We would to help! 

Deck Sagging

Why Do Decks Sag?

In most cases, sagging decks are completely preventable. The reason most decks sag is because they were built improperly in the first place. There are certain soils that may not be suitable to support a deck when not treated properly, and over time your deck will start to sink into the soil. 

Some common causes of sagging in wooden decks include:

• Poor construction: If the deck was not constructed properly or with the right materials, it can start to sag over time.
• Age and wear: Wooden decks can start to sag over time as a result of wear and tear, weather exposure, and natural aging.
• Overloading: If the deck is regularly overloaded with heavy objects or too many people, it can cause the deck to sag or collapse.
• Moisture damage: If the wooden deck is constantly exposed to moisture or water, it can start to rot or weaken, leading to sagging.
• Foundation issues: If the deck's foundation is unstable or not level, it can cause the deck to sag or tilt. (Source)

In addition to being a major eyesore, sagging decks can actually be dangerous. They tend to get worse over time, so if you notice your deck beginning to sag it’s best to nip that problem in the bud. We’ve heard and seen some horror stories over the years of decks that were allowed to sag until they completely collapsed. Your friends and loved ones will be using your deck, and you don’t want any of them to get hurt. Getting the deck fixed or replaced is your best bet.

You probably don't want a deck or a porch to have sag since it can be dangerous.  

Call Jackson & Sands Engineering, Inc., we can help you get the lift you need! (530) 715-7184 

Foundation Cracks

Foundations are essential to every building structure. They serve to distribute the vertical load of building materials, occupants, and belongings to the soil. Foundations also keep the soil around and under the building from pushing it out of position. Therefore, when you discover an issue with the foundation, there is a need for considerable concern.

Foundation Types and Materials

Several types of foundations can have unique problems. Knowing your foundation type and materials is helpful to make the most educated assessment when evaluating foundation problems.

Basement

A basement is often defined as an area mostly below ground and has a ceiling height of at least 7 feet. The basement floor is usually a nonstructural slab of concrete, although a basement may have soil as the floor.

Common basement foundation wall materials use poured concrete and concrete blocks in newer houses. Common basement foundation wall materials in older homes are bricks and stones.

Crawl Space

A crawl space is an area below the living areas with a ceiling height of less than 7 feet. The crawl space floor is usually soil. Crawl space foundation wall materials are concrete blocks and bricks.

Concrete Slab-on-Grade

A slab-on-grade foundation is built by removing the topsoil, leveling the soil, and pouring concrete on top.

The concrete may be a thick slab of uniform depth (a mat slab). The entire mat slab is effectively a footing. Mat slabs are used only in warm climates where the frost line is near the surface.

In cold climates, footings are dug around the perimeter of the building to below the frost line. Then, a thin, nonstructural slab of concrete is poured over the rest of the foundation (a monolithic slab).

Concrete Slab-on-Stem Wall

A slab-on-stem wall foundation is built by digging footings around the perimeter of the building to below the frost line. Walls are built on the footings to a point where the foundation is level and high enough to allow water to drain away from the foundation. The area inside the walls is backfilled, and a thin slab of concrete is poured on top.

The concrete may be thicker at load-bearing points inside the walls, but aside from these points, the rest of the slab is not considered a structural load-bearing element. Note that garage floors in basement foundations are often concrete slabs-on-stem walls. 

What Are Foundation Cracks?

Foundation cracks are one of the most common foundation problems. Bad soil, or soil that is too wet around the foundation, can cause the foundation to crack and lead to other foundation problems such as:

• Settlement: Downward movement of the foundation
• Uplift: Upward movement of the foundation
• Rotation: Movement of foundation walls either inward or outward
• Bulging: Part of the foundation wall protrudes outward from the rest of the wall.

Cracks that occur with other foundation problems may indicate a structural problem. A qualified professional, such as a structural engineer, should evaluate these cracks to determine the causes and appropriate repairs.

Call Jackson and Sands Engineering today! We can help you know if you've got cause for concern, and what can be done to rectify the situation.

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Design Process for Commercial and Non-Residential Buildings.

 

I recently spoke to Russell Davidson about the design process for commercial and non-residential buildings. After receiving his degree in Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Russell initially worked for a boutique architecture firm in San Francisco, followed by a move back to Grass Valley to work for a local firm. In 2018 Russell started his own practice and completes designs for both commercial and residential projects. Russell is a licensed Architect in the State of California and can be your lead Architect for a project. 

What is a commercial project?

For the purposes of this discussion, a commercial project consists of any structure built on commercially or industrially zoned parcel as well as some residential multifamily projects (depending on several factors, could include projects with 3, 4, or 5 or more units).

What are a few considerations for those wanting to proceed with a commercial design?

Russell advises anyone who is considering purchasing a building or land to further develop into commercial space to fully understand the current zoning of the parcel and what types of upgrades will be required for their intended use. These upgrades could include ADA improvements, structural upgrades, restroom facilities improvements, septic or wastewater considerations and many more.

Additionally, the design and planning process for this type of work can take time and should be factored into one’s decision making process.

What does a commercial design project team consist of?

This depends on the extent of the project. However, here’s a list of those typically involved.

• Architect- Team lead. Completes the architectural design of the project and coordinates efforts of other team members.
• Contractor- assists on completing construction estimates, sequencing of work, and provides design reviews.
• Civil Engineer- completes land improvement designs. These typically consist of ADA improvements from the parking area up to the building entrance, storm water designs, parking lot designs, utility plans up to the building, and much more.
• Electrical Engineer- completes the electrical plans for the project.
• Mechanical Engineer- Completes the Mechanical and Plumbing plans of a project as well as energy calculations.
• Project owner or rep- Oversees the project, makes decisions on design alternatives, creates a project budget and scope, and is the main contact for the project team.
• Structural Engineer- completes structural analysis of building and determines beam and joist sizing and spacing, lateral resisting systems, foundations, and more.
• Specialties- These can have a wide range of responsibilities and inputs and are only used on specific projects. Some of the specialty type include an interior designer and acoustical engineer.

Read more from this conversation with Russell click here

Potential Uses for Accessory Dwelling Units

 

Accessory Dwelling Units are a popular way to invest in your existing property. Here are some potential uses for an ADU. 

• Support Family Members

To meet today’s alternative family arrangements, you need to use alternative housing options. ADUs make great in-law quarters and provide families with a place to care for their aging parents. An ADU allows you to give them a greater amount of independence than they would have in a retirement community/assisted living community/nursing home. ADUs are also a popular way to give adult children a place to live while respecting their privacy.

• House On-Site Caregivers

If your family relies on an on-site caregiver – like a live-in nurse or nanny – an ADU will give them the privacy and independence they need, while also giving you the on-site convenience you are looking for.

• Additional Rental Income

Accessory Dwelling Units are the perfect fit for short- and long-term rentals. If you live in a popular community, you can Airbnb your ADU and get additional rental income. Or, you may choose to live in your ADU and rent out your main residence to short- or long-term tenants.

• Man cave or she shed

If you ever find yourself with an empty nest (finally) and do not need the rental income, the extra room in your ADU suddenly opens up a world of possibilities. It’s like having a blank canvas just waiting for your personal touch. Whether you’re itching to create a cozy “she shed” or place to work away from the house where you can let your creativity run wild or envision the ultimate “man cave” for kicking back and relaxing, the extra space becomes your haven.

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