Crawlspace issues

[Chris Duphily]

What contributes to issues found in crawlspaces?

Well lack of gutters for one


Lack of deck flashing ...look close that's osb ...sorry bad pic. like the insulation stuff3ed in the vent?



Then there is always the bulkhead door


view from the crawl


..... but we added a vapor barrier  ....just not sealed 18" up the foundation wall... nor sealed at all



Moisture+ cellulose = mold, wood rot, carpenter ants






.

[Chris Duphily]

Then there is the damage from the lack of common sense construction practices when attaching a deck to a home.



close up


iiii



iiiii




This could of been avoided if the contractor cared about the quality of his work! 

[mcyr]

Nice Pics Chris and it is sad that Builders would not pay a little more attention to these areas.
I don't think that at times it is done intentionally, they just don't know any better and call themselves builders, because that is how they make their money.

It has always amazed me since I was young that all the States cared about licenses to make sure the the crap went downhill and vented and no one got electrocuted in the electrical components, but it seems no one cares if the house falls down, because you don't need a license to go build a house.

Figure that one out.

Nice Pictures Chris.

Thanks

Marcel 

[Chris Duphily]

True ...but ignorance to education is no excuse ...imho.

Here in PA you can be a plumber and an electrician within a week!

When I was in MA it was a 5 year apprenticeship for each then a test then you received a license. I guess I should just go to home depot and make up new business cards

Duffy Mechanical : Plumber, Electrician, HVAC/R, basement refinishing, handyman, finish carpenter, waterproofing.
... How big would that business card have to be?!? 

[rkoehler]

Great engineering has many styles for home support.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Chris Duphily]

Great engineering has many styles for home support.

gotta love it! ... looks like you had a fun day.

[Jay Markanich]

Chris - on the sixth picture down it appears that the copper elbow has a pin-hole leak and it it also wetting that joist.  And they paid more attention to attaching the electric cables to the sill plate than the joists!!?  The joists weren't even toe-nailed in...  And maybe they read some "green" site telling them to cover up their crawl space vents.  That's a killer too if the other things aren't done to control moisture...

And that business card would be a good one...  I recommend different colors for each specialty aspect of the company!

And Ray - classic crawl space support!  That looks like a post-facto homeowner job because the floors were bouncing.  Is that the Pulte Master Builder technique?  I did notice that on one they actually used a pressure-treated support, so it isn't a total loss.  I'm sure it's buried 24" and secured by a Sono-tube block.  Is it attached to the joist with Elmer's glue?  As always, engineering at its best.

Remember the title for my imaginary engineering company?  Bob's Bridge Builders -- "We Build Our Bridges To Minimum Acceptable Engineering Tolerances."  Maybe Bob spread out to joist support...

[Chris Duphily]

Chris - on the sixth picture down it appears that the copper elbow has a pin-hole leak and it it also wetting that joist. 

I was loading the septic at that time so no pinhole at that joint, but good eye!

all the moisture was coming from the foundation walls and at the deck attachment to the main structure.

[Jay Markanich]

I'll make a note - Scotch tape, not good for deck flashing.

Got it...

[rkoehler]

OK, you really want to see broken lines. See attached and look close at the copper tubing. This line was noted above a drop tile ceiling. So for all you home inspector, better look above those drop ceiling tiles. :

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Jay Markanich]

Drop ceilings were a very common ceiling 20-30 years ago for finishing basements.  The wiring up there is often really interesting too. 

I do look...

That racing stripe in the copper tube is very stylish however.  About the same time as the Dodge Barracuda?

[rkoehler]

I would like to know how long that pipe can survive before it pops?

[Jay Markanich]

The big unknown...

[Chris Duphily]

I would like to know how long that pipe can survive before it pops?

I hope they have low water pressure for the clients sake! Nice find Rick.

[Jack Gilleland]

I'm jealous.  I thought my contractor idiots were some of the worst, but you've demonstrated that their just babes in the woods in comparison.