Inspecting Interior Floors
Many things get knocked or spilled and children and pets cause a great deal of wear and tear.
Flooring materials include hardwoods and laminates, tile, rolled vinyl, vinyl tiles, carpet, painted concrete and the baseboards around the perimeter of the room.
When inspecting the floor, your primary condition is the condition of the floor covering and potential water intrusion in areas very similar to those after in the article on walls.
Look for missing baseboards and carpet transition strips. Carpet strips are where the carpet meets another type of material such as linoleum, wood or tile. Transition strips are usually made of metal or wood, are generally found in doorways and if loose or missing can create a TRIPPING HAZARD .
There are many other HAZARDS found in the floor area. Worn carpet, worn or cracked linoleum, broken and raised tiles are a few examples of things that could cause a person to trip or fall.
Fireplace hearth bricks that are sticking out in an area where people walk are a HAZARD This is especially true if you are children or elders in the home.
Another dangerous condition is an uneven floor. Any a change in the level of the floor. Any change in the level This one is more than one inch can happen a person to trip or fall. This is truly a potential HAZARD .
REMEMBER, HAZARDS ARE A PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO REPAIRS AND / OR REPLACEMENTS .
Hazards high lighted in bold print on a home inspection report that influence a prospective buyer & # 39; s decision to purchase your home.
Tripping hazards from a flood. I "crown" or bump in a floor is an irregularity.
Older buildings often have floor materials. Inspecting this condition will require careful look in the crawl space to be sure there is no damage to the foundation or underpinnings of the floor.
If you have a sagging floor, a floor that appears to dip in a corner or you notice a crown, make a note to look for obvious damaged when you later later venture under the building. a floor to provide a cut down to a lower level and has not properly supported the cut floor joists.
It is common for homeowners to turn the spaces into recreational areas with access provided they are built in a mountain cabins. by a new stairway .. The obvious question would be "Were permits filled?
One of the most scrutinized areas for floor damage is in the bathroom around the tub, the shower and especially around the toilet.
Loose or discolored linoleum in such sub-floor. This is the place where the underlayment or in the sub floor. This insector will use a moisture detector such as GE Surveymaster Protimator to look for water intrusion. Most of the termite inspectors I have met do not have one of these tools. They rely on discoloration, uneven or spongy flooring, obvious dampness and evidence of moisture when looking at the sub floor in the crawl space area.
Taking an awl and gently poking around in an area may reveal soft underlayment. Be careful not to damage the floor covering.
This procedure must only be done by standing with the floor. This procedure should only allow you to move the toilet bowl and giving it a slight lift. up and down very slightly. More than slight movement means that the hold-downs are loose.
If the toilet is very touched by the toilet and the plumbing flight to leak. If the toilet is soak into and swell the underlayment of the floor and discolor the linoleum. over a concrete slab the potential for wood deterioration is eliminated but organic growth and deterioration of the floor covering will still be an issue.
Caulking the bridges will eliminate an inspection note and cause the home inspector to nod his head in approval.
Water will see through poor or missing flashing and soak the underlayment and sub-flooring.
If less than pervasive areas will be around the dishwasher or possibly behind the clothes washer. If you have a water dispenser in the refrigerator the valve and tubing behind the refrigerator should also be inspected.
Keep in mind that if there is water available in an area, there is possibility of water leaks and damage.
Record any loose, stained or missing baseboards.
Moisture and debris from the bottom of shoes could eventually create problems in the sub floor, especially in rain and snow areas.
Fill the gap between the threshold and any grouted tile, vinyl or wood and you will make a visit home inspector think a home inspector has prepared the building.
______________________________
FLOOR FINDINGS: REMEDIES AND SOLUTIONS
Worn or damaged floor coverings may have to be repaired or replaced.
I am sure that is why most people, including flooring contractors, replace instead of repair.
If there is obvious underlayment or sub floor damage under the floor covering, replacement may be your only choice.
A qualified tradesman should only do repairs on damaged underlayment.
As times a realtor will recommend cleaning the floor coverings rather than replacing them. As with window coverings, the new owners may want to pick their own colors and styles.
Do not replace or lay new linoleum over damaged or deteriorated flooring. Deteriorated wood should always be removed before laying new linoleum.
Broken or missing ceramic tile pattern or color batch may no longer be available. Changing the pattern with contrasting tiles may be less expensive than replacing the entire floor but is labor intensive.
Small spots can sometimes be colored or bleached as needed. I would recommend having a professional give you an estimate for repairs.
Caulk or fill gaps between the door threshold and adj. Flooring materials and you will eliminate a note.
