EXTERIOR    DEFECTS

WINDOWS

Moisture damage to a 10 year old wooden window frame. This is a common problem with relatively modern housing.

Another 10 year old window destined for damage due to use of cheap materials and a lack of maintenance.

A “frontal” view of this brick corner doesn’t readily reveal the damage sustained from an improper brick veneer installation. This home is approximately 5 years old.

The brick veneer above the lower roof is sliding down the roof slope with a developing “step” gap at the separation point.

Some movement is detectable where the corner meets the veneer wall.

The distortion of the wall is clearly visible at the top of the window where the supporting lintel is wider on the right side than on the left.

The bulging of the brick veneer wall is clear.

Attempts to fill the gap between the brick veneer and window frame can be confirmed.

 

PORCHES

A sagging front porch as viewed from the left and right sides.  This is a common problem when the porch is built over "un-tamped" fill dirt. Basement properties are too often built in this manner.
The front porch slab in this photo is older and has settled much more. The concrete slab and steps are both settling to become unsafe for use on this home less than 10 years old.

 

DECKS
Older tongue and groove porch deck can swell and buckle to create a tripping hazard for occupants. Sometimes the builder's support structure is completely insufficient for modern structural standards.
As the masonry support column continues to tilt away it's just a matter of time before the deck support post kicks outward and dumps the occupants to the ground. Openings in the deck railing are large enough for a child to fall through.