The interior walls can be made:, Latte and plaster, gypsum board (drywall), wood panels or boards, exterior cladding materials, protocols and products such as brick masonry, concrete, concrete blocks or bricks.
Each material has its unique characteristics, but our main concern are cracks, holes, stains, deterioration, deviation, and the presence of mold or mildew.
Walls have always a story to tell. It can apparently be only flat surfaces, but can be the firstIndicators for serious structural problems. The main indicators are cracks, so we begin our analysis, looking for the obvious.
In dry, there are basically two types of cracks and settlement (or shrinkage) cracks and stress fractures.
The difference between a settlement (or reduction) and a crack stress.
Settlement cracks are the cracks through the creation of a new home in what we call the "footprint" that the drying of green wood can be causedthe building design.
Temperature and humidity can change the shape and size of structures during the different seasons and can change the appearance and return to contribute to the solution cracks.
Settlement or shrinkage cracks are usually straight and run along the joints where two pieces of drywall (gypsum board) to head against each other. The crack is actually in the mud and tape the two pieces of drywall. The tape and mud are easily cleaved byMovement in the wall.
The composite tape and mud beneath the plot is not strong enough to hold the joint together as you move the wall or "completed".
These fractures are usually incidental in size and width, but may be uncomfortable about their appearance. Some people may experience different ways to hide or remove them and usually, the more you try, the worse is the search for cracks.
Many factors are considered in the investigation and have taken into account, be taken before completionThis settlement cracks are the symptoms of a more serious problem.
Stress fractures are seen with a more critical eye.
Cracks tell a deeper story, as may be structural movement in the construction of a foundation or suggest. Earthquakes cause this type of crack as well.
Stress cracks always a red flag for a home inspector look at the complete basis and foundation of the building. This type of crack can also bet Spanningbeams or other structural framing components.
The term refers to cover the distance between two intermediate stations, where a beam, beam or board passes through an open space. A tense on board bends a lot of support from the weight of the load and the deformation will occur in the space above.
Cracks are not drywall at the time, but break through the drywall. The drywall is literally broken.
They are usually foundDiagonal tension cracks radiating from the corners of wall openings such as windows, doors and corridors. The crack is wider on one side and rejuvenate itself, as it disappears in the Wall.
If a professional should be called in the repair process or may increase the cost of stress crack repair up to several hundred dollars.
To repair a crack in the drywall, is a joint-rasp used to reduce the paper of drywall plaster in his body and then in several thin layers of duct tapeMud and straps are used to fill the hole. This process takes several days to dry each layer can be. The final task is to try to match the existing structure (which is almost unique as a fingerprint design.) Sometimes it is actually easier to re-texture the entire surface of the wall to wall.
With all that many people simply do not work with small cracks seem to mind. Before the work done at a cracking process is recommended to consult a licensed structuralEngineer to ensure additional cracks or movement is expected and the overall stability of the building and the foundation is solid.
As I said, the walls of the first indicator of bigger problems. However, I have always reserved my opinion until I looked through the cracks throughout the building had. In most cases, minor stress cracks old and not a problem, just an aesthetic nuisance.
Identify holes in the walls are also a part of your inspectionProcess.
Take notes on the sheet inspection of the position of the holes in the walls to repair later.
Takes notes, if you see any spots or stains on the walls.
Water stains are a big "red flag" for home inspectors. Penetration of water is an important source of damage to the structure. If water is used extinguish a house fire, insurance claim statistics make it the leading cause of structural damage. Water material remains of the wooden frame, wooden pullsdestroying insects, wrecks wallcoverings, and is the main source of excitation of organic growth and dry rot.
Be sure to look behind the washing machine and dryer for signs of water stains.
Check that the wall is caulked to the top of the shower. There should be no cracks in the caulking where moisture can penetrate the wall. This is one of the results of this study show that over and over again. Solve the problem and your home inspector will be surprised if a home inspector, prepared at home or inthe sale.
Watch for signs of stains and organic growth in the cabinets under the kitchen sink and bathroom. Look around the tub and shower and the wall behind the toilet.
Carefully check all the baseboards near outside doors. Your opinion on doors and windows may already have raised concerns around these parts.
If you get further inspection you realize that many issues overlap. The problems caused by the natural movement of a building createdand repeat the problems caused by water penetration in all. The key is for all the questions you can recognize and find ways to repair economically.
VERY IMPORTANT
Be sure to check lockers from top to bottom. This area is often of home and apartment owners and home inspectors are often lost in the stains and evidence of organic growth.
The general rule is to look everywhere the water taps and exterior doors may be to present andWindows.
All the old points, the source of which has been cleaned or repaired are covered. Remember, if the inspector can not see, is not in the report.
If you know of any plumbing leaks in the walls must be disclosed.
At home inspectors moisture detection tools, which can detect moisture in the walls and the base of the soil. The tools are also used to determine if moisture is active at one point. If you try to disguise a water leak,The home inspector will most likely.
IR Cameras
A new technology called infrared thermography is now used to detect water intrusion and mold in buildings. This is a science major, used infrared cameras to "see" through walls, ceilings and floors. Thermographic equipment is very expensive, but prices are dropping on these cameras and are used by home inspectors.
Where is wet, can be organic growth.
As previously stated organicGrowth (mold) is a concern for many people, and even if a particular problem has been largely on media advertising campaign.
Mold is everywhere. It lies dormant in the plasterboard and wood components of the building. E 'on the outside of the building.
The question is whether a person is sensitive to any specific species of mold. If you could be a serious problem.
Mold grows where moisture is consistent. When the organic growth was observedthe outer surface of the wall inside the building is unknown if there is mold in the wall without further investigation. Exploring the inside of a wall outside the scope of an inspection, but if the home inspector is suspicious, he recommended further evaluation.
If you suspect that there should be a bigger problem, contact an industrial hygienist for further examinations and tests. Remove the mold can be an expensive process, but it is much cheaperas a suite of law.
Do not try to hide the evidence for a possible mold problem
If a wall appears to be strong to bend or twist, a licensed structural engineer should be consulted. There may be problems associated with the foundation, foundation, or the ground around the building.
Simple arch of wood panels of the building, due to billing. A large metal coating could be removed and cut to fit.
Connection board handlebar fairing should bechecked for gaps and missing parts.
Lath and plaster for interior walls has been a process of construction until the end of 1950 used. Thin pieces of cedar (called lath) 2x4 for the design of the wall have been nailed. A wet or three applications of plaster was then applied to the transom. In some cases, the layers of wallpaper on top of patches have been applied for decorative purposes. This really added to the stability of the wall.
Found lath and plaster to control the same questions as inDrywall.
Cracks in the walls are carefully controlled. There are two different types of cracks - those who cracked in a model "Z" in the mortar, and those who have actually broken stone or brick.
If there is some infiltration of water through a brick wall, the color of the shell surface. This is often associated with underground walls in basements and garages.
WALL RESULTS: remedies and solutions
Cracks
As mentioned above, the repairCracks in the walls can be a complex and difficult task. Cracks filled with filler have a tendency to repeat. The pen is not able to expand the building or how it changes its shape from normal temperature and humidity contract.
A paintable, flexible silicone seal can be used to fill cracks with a finger settlement. Its flexibility will expand and contract and allowing small changes in the plan, without opening it. The color has aelastic quality.
Holes
Small holes as they can be left off the images can be easily with putty, as a seal grout, adhesive tape or mud. Use hard-drying fillers such as plaster or mud sparingly. Overfilling of a structured wall for repair looks bad.
Plus, of course, there are holes or small dents, where a handle has hit the wall due to a damaged or missing cap door. If the hole is limited by the handle on the left, only a thin layer ofFiller to dry the hole, and then leave a little 'more every day until it is flush with the wall surface.
If the doorknob hit the wall, the repair work anymore. There are kits available at local hardware designed to repair the holes left by the door handles. There are several sites on the Internet that offer a variety of techniques for repairing holes in drywall.
The real trick is not so much to repair the holes as well as the adaptation of the texture. ATechnical drywall texture closely match very well. Get a couple of quotes from different sources if you have a large area that needs repair.
If damaged drywall that have two or more studs frame covers removed, it would probably be a good idea to have a competent partner. At least two bids for the repair.
Water stains
If you find water spots, eliminate the source of ingress of water and then seal and paint the affected area. If there is no evidenceorganic growth, further investigation and remediation may be necessary. Do not cover or obscure, in which the mold is present. The consequences of this action can pretty extreme.
Local businesses to restore the buildings after the fires are probably the best resource to quickly find the penetration of water problems. You must follow the equipment and know-how for the entry points of moisture. Look for a company that quotes the thermography equipment.
The organic growth (moldand fungi)
Surface mold and mildew can be removed usually with products designed for such applications. Contrary to popular belief, with a mixture of bleach and water solution is not a good cleaning. Laundry bleach is made mostly of water and small amounts of chlorine. Mixing bleach diluted with water creates a solution that is mostly water.
Do you remember what to grow there must be mold and mildew? Humidity! Diluted bleach is food mold.
Ifis the visible evidence of mold in areas larger than a few square inches, you need a professional evaluation, what further action should be taken to have. As with problems of water infiltration, businesses, fire restoration, major sources of information on how to address mold problems.
There are several websites that discuss the form. Several offer free testing kits for the home.
Deterioration
Some of the most common causes of degradation are waterIntrusion, condensation or insect infestation. How to remove water and mold problems, the course of action is to determine the cause and repair.
A skilled craftsman is able to repair them. Usually there are several listed in the phonebook. Get several quotes and ask for advice. Do not take the first person who shows up. If you want to anxious to demonstrate the quality of their work, look elsewhere. If you are serious, are welcomeYour request.
Bowing Problems
If you have walls that do not appear up and down or to have, if the shock, contact a structural engineer to determine the reason. These professionals usually for a small fee for their control.
I can not even begin to tell you how many times I was asked if a wall was a "load-bearing wall." My standard answer was "Every wall is a bearing wall, if a licensed structural engineer says it is not."