Structural Components Flashcards
INSPECTION SCOPE
Wind applies force that tries to push the house sideways, a phenomenon called racking.
The structural components must reliably resist all forces over time, the fourth dimension.
A home inspector is not required to, and should not, evaluate the adequacy of the structural components of the house.
Defer to contractors and engineers to determine the nature and extent of structural defects.
Structural components that are in scope of a home inspection include the visible and accessible parts of the foundation, floor structure, wall structure, ceiling structure, and roof structure.
Attic:
a usually uninhabitable space above the ceiling of the highest habitable area and below the roof framing. Also called a crawl space in some markets.
Axial force (load):
the vertical force acting on a structural member, such as a column or a beam, that places the member under compression at the loading point.
Basement (cellar):
an area that is partially or completely below grade; often has a ceiling height of 7 feet or more, but sometimes less in older houses.
Basement (daylight, walk out):
a basement that has a door to the exterior.
Beam (girder):
a structural member that carries loads from other members such as joists, rafters, and other beams.
Bow (bowed):
a condition where a structural member is curved along its long axis. Braced wall: see shear wall.
Ceiling joist:
a horizontal structural member that forms the ceiling of a room below an attic.
Ceiling, vaulted:
a ceiling that extends at an angle above the top of a full-height wall; the ceiling finish (drywall) is usually attached directly to the rafters.
Ceiling, tray (or trey):
a horizontal ceiling raised above the top of a full-height wall; the ceiling is often raised in one or two risers and decorated with crown molding.
Cinder block:
a concrete masonry unit made using coal ash or other residue of combustion. Cinder blocks are less common in modern residential construction. Cinder blocks may contain corrosive materials. See Concrete masonry unit (CMU).
Collar tie:
a horizontal member (usually a 1x4 or a 2x4) installed in the upper third of the attic between two rafters to help tie rafters together at the ridge.
Column:
a generic term describing a structural member designed to support a concentrated vertical load. A column is usually a tall and relatively narrow component. Also called a post, especially when used with decks. See Pier and Pile.
Compression:
The force that crushes or shortens a structural member. A beam under a vertical load is under compression on the top. See Tension force (load).
Concrete masonry unit (CMU):
a usually rectangular block made from concrete, aggregate, and water and intended for installation with other blocks to form walls and other structures. See Cinder block.
Condominium:
a form of real property ownership in which the owner holds 100% ownership of a dwelling unit and shares ownership of the common elements. Condominium does not describe a type of building.
Crawl space:
an accessible area within the foundation walls below the first habitable story usually having a soil floor, and a small distance between the soil and the floor joists. Also used to describe an attic in some markets.
Creep:
see Deformed.
Crown (camber):
a condition where a board or beam is curved along the long axis. See Bow (bowed). Most dimensional lumber joists have a natural crown which should be installed with the high side vertical. Manufactured beams have a camber built into the beam. The crown or camber installed with the high side vertical usually becomes straight when a load is applied.
Cup (cupped):
a condition where a board is curved along the face of the board.
Deflect (deflection):
a condition where a structural member bends from its normal shape, such as when a joist bends under a load. Deflect implies a temporary condition wherein the member will return to its normal shape when the load is removed.
Deformed (deformation):
a condition where a structural member changes shape or dimension from its normal shape or dimension. Permanent deformation occurs when the member will not return to its normal shape or dimension when the load is removed. Permanent deformation is called creep.
Dormer:
a projection above a sloped roof that usually contains a window. A dormer usually has two sidewalls and a gable roof, but it may have any style roof.
Eaves:
the extension of the rafters beyond the exterior wall of the building.