Causes of Wet Basement

One of the major problems I have encountered during Home Inspection is water leakage in the basement. Basement is basically a depression in the earth, if it’s not properly constructed or maintained, over time it will leak.

The best way to prevent water penetration in basement is to eliminate the conditions which are causing water to come in contact with foundation and to divert it away by using proper grading.

The biggest contributing factors for leaky basements are!

1.   Improper grading around the house

Lack of proper grading is simply the largest contributing factor to leaky basement. The landscaping around the house should be such that it enables water to flow away from the house. It is recommended that the grade adjacent to the foundation should be sloped 1:10 away from the foundation. If it is not achievable due to site conditions, swales should be constructed along the perimeter to gather water and direct and discharge it away from the foundation.

2.   Downspouts are not extended away from the house

The downspouts should not discharge storm water close to the foundation wall. It is recommended that the downspouts are extended about 4 feet to 6 feet away from the foundation wall and have splash pads.

3.   Basement windows sill too close to grade

It is recommended that basement windows sill should be around 8 inches higher the adjacent grade to prevent water penetration in basement due to snow accumulation and water.

4.   Deteriorated parging on the foundation wall

Foundation wall needs periodic maintenance if the parging on the foundation wall is peeling off or is deteriorated it needs to be repaired immediately.

5.   Cracks in foundation wall

Cracks can develop in foundation wall due to variety of reasons. However, if they develop they should be repaired immediately by qualified contractor to prevent further damage and water penetration in the basement.

6.   Poorly constructed foundations and basements

Sometimes the foundation wall and slab on the grade are not properly waterproofed. Furthermore, the drainage tile in the perimeter which is required to collect water and discharge it away is not present, is clogged or not properly installed. This will enable water to accumulate near foundation wall and will eventually leak inside.

At RK Home Inspection we check thoroughly your house grading, foundation cracks and other contributing factors to protect and provide you with honest reporting enabling you to take and informed decision.   

At RK Home Inspections we are available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA, Home Inspection Markham

Find us on google places / maps  Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
5. Ice Damns
6. Common Electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum wire
8. Winter Home Maintenance Tips
9. Issues Affecting Older Homes for Insurance Coverage

Ice Dams

How they are formed?

Ice dams are formed when the snow on the roof is melted by the heat escaping out from the house or by the action of sun. The melting occurs mostly at the roof and not at the projected eaves. Water from the melting snow can then freeze and form ice dams at the eaves trough and roof overhang. This ice will prevent and block the water from the melted snow to flow to the gutters. The water then finds it way under the shingles and thus leaking into the attic.

 

What problems they cause?

·         The main problem caused by ice dam is the water penetration into the attic and thus causing water damage at various areas of the house.

·         Rotting of roof sheathing, walls, framing and peeling paint.

·         Mold growth which can result in various respiratory illnesses.

·         The R value which measures the resistance of the insulation for transmission of heat is also reduced when insulation is wet. This will further deteriorate the thermal performance and more heat from house will leak to the roof. This will result in more ice dams.

 

 

How to prevent its formation?

·         Roof should be properly vented to keep the underside of the roof cold and also to remove the heat which has leaked into the attic from the house.

·         Increase the thickness of insulation in the attic

·         Properly seal all the openings and penetration from the house to attic sealing to prevent heat from leaking into the attic.

·         Install vapour barrier under the insulation facing downwards towards the room to prevent water vapour escaping into the attic.

·         Extend exhaust systems that terminates just above the roof, to prevent melting of the snow.

·         There should be minimum three inches of gap between the insulation and the roof sheathing at the sloped roof areas.

 

At RK Home Inspections we are available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTAHome Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA

Find us on google places / maps Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
5. Ice Dams
6. Common Electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum wire in a house
8. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
9. Causes of Wet Basement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

What it is?

Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, Odorless gas and it can harm you even at small concentrations. Carbon Monoxide (CO) displaces oxygen which binds with the hemoglobin and thus suffocates the body. Carbon Monoxide can harm you in low concentration over a period of several hours. However, in higher concentrations Carbon Monoxide can kill in less than five minutes.

Please see table published by CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) below for concentration of carbon monoxide and their effects:

CO concentration in parts per million (ppm)	Effects
0 – 2	Normal conditions in and outside Canadian houses.
10	Recommended exposure limit over a 24-hour period.3
25	Recommended exposure limit over a 1-hour period.3
30	CO detectors are not allowed to sound alarm unless this concentration is maintained for more than 30 days.2
70	CO detectors must sound alarm within 1 to 4 hours.2
150	CO detectors must sound alarm within 10 to 50 minutes.2
200	Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea after 2 to 3 hours. CO detector alarm must sound within 35 minutes.4
400	CO detectors must sound alarm within 4 to 15 minutes.2
800	Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes, death within 2 to 3 hours.4
1,600	Death within 1 hour.4
13,000	Danger of death after 1 to 3 minutes.4

How it is produced?

In a House Carbon Monoxide is produced by any fuel burning appliance which has malfunctioned or improperly installed, such as!

• Furnace
• Stove and Oven
• Water heater
• Dryer
• Room and space Heater
• Fireplace and wood Stove
• Charcoal Grills
• Automobiles
• Clogged Chimneys or flues

How to protect yourself?

• Service your furnace regularly by certified HVAC Technician.
• Get flues, dampers and chimneys inspected yearly by certified professional for any obstruction or crack.
• If you have an attached Garage make sure the door between the garage and house is properly sealed and it has a self-closing devise.
• Install Carbon Monoxide detectors in the house preferably on each floor and especially near sleeping area where it can easily be heard while sleeping. Furthermore, test them regularly for proper operation.

For more information on Carbon Monoxide please visit
Carbon Monoxide Article by CMHC

At RK Home Inspection we check all the Carbon Monoxide detectors present into your house. Recommend them if they are absent. Furthermore, we carry our own Carbon Monoxide detector to test the concentration of Carmon Monoxide concentration in the ambient air.

 We Are Available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA

Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA 

Find us on google places / maps Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Ice Damns
5. Causes of wet basement
6. Common electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum Wiring
8. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
9. Winter Home Maintenance Tips 

 

 

 

 

GFCI Outlet

What it is?

                         GFCI OUTLET

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

Where it is required?

GFCI outlets in Ontario are required in kitchen, washrooms, laundry room within 1.5 meters (5 feet) of the water source (edge of sink, vanity, tub, laundry sink). Furthermore, they are required on the outside of the house. They are recommended as a safety upgrade but not required in the garage of the house.

How they operate?

GFCI outlet is a very sensitive devise which can detect minor variation in the current flowing between hot and neutral slots. If there is an imbalance in the current flow it trips the circuit. It is able to sense a mismatch as small as 4 or 5 milliamps, and its reaction time is as quick as one-thirteenth of a second.

To better understand its function I always explain my clients during Home Inspection like this. Suppose we are playing a passing a ball game, and I throw towards you a ball weighing a 50 grams. Then you are also supposed to pass me back the same ball weighing 50 grams. If for some reason the ball you threw back was 40 grams, then the 10 grams is getting dissipated or disappearing in thin air somewhere. The GFCI outlet measures the difference in the amount of current supplied and returned and if there is a difference it trips the circuit to prevent the person from shock.

How to test it?

                         GFCI TESTER

During Home Inspection I test all GFCI outlets using a GFCI tester. GFCI tester is a devise which creates a condition or difference in the incoming and the outgoing current by press of the test button. GFCI outlet trips the circuit and then needs to be reset by pressing the reset button on the outlet

I advise Home Owners to test their GFCI outlets every month by pressing the test button on the outlet itself.

We Are Available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA 

Find us on google places / maps  Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
5. Ice Damns
6. Common Electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum Wiring
8. Winter Home Maintenance Tips
9. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
10. Causes of Wet Basement

 

 

RK Home Inspections

About Us

RK Home Inspections Inc. was founded by Rohit Kumar, who is InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector and a Licensed Architect (OAA) in the Province of Ontario and has around 15 years of Building Construction experience. Furthermore, he is a Project Management Professional (PMP). Rohit has worked and was involved with one of the most reputed projects around the world. This extensive experience and education gives him the excellent knowledge of Building Structures and Construction Practices.

 

 Why Us

1. Home Inspections performed by Certified Professional Inspector.
2. Home Inspector has over 15 years of experience in construction industry.
3. We are First Time Home Buyer Friendly as we take extra time in explaining the client how their home works and what steps to be taken to maintain it.
4. Competitive fees with excellent service.
5. Complete and detailed Inspection reports with colored pictures explaining the problem areas clearly by using industry's best software.
6. Modern and High Efficiency equipment and tools are used for every inspection such as! 

• Moisture Meter 
• Multi meter
• Carbon Monoxide detector
• Gas Leak Detector
• Infra Red Thermometer and many more

 We Are Available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA

Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA 

Find us on google places / maps Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. What is Home Inspection?
2. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
3. Ice Damns
4. Common Electrical problems in a House
5. Aluminum Wiring
6. Winter Home Maintenance Tips
7. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
8. Causes of Wet Basement
9. GFCI Outlet?

 

What is a Home Inspection?

Home Inspection is visual, non invasive examination of the structure of the house. It is usually done during the purchase of the house by a Home Inspector. Home Inspector is a person who is Certified by one of the Professional Associations such as InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) or OAHI (Ontario Association of Home Inspectors). Furthermore, he has years of experience in construction industry and in some cases highly qualified persons such as Professional Engineers (PEng) Licensed Architects (OAA) are also lending there services as Home Inspectors.

Its very Important for the prospective clients to do thorough research about the qualifications of the Home Inspector before  hiring one. Good Home Inspectors don't come cheap and many people fall for the cheap Home Inspectors which don't have the appropriate knowledge, experience and the qualifications to carry out a complex task of Home Inspection.

An inspector will check the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical and many other aspects of buildings looking for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues. To assist him with The Inspection an Inspector carry many tools with him to check for Moisture, correct electrical wiring, GFCI tester,  Gas Leakage, Carbon Monoxide Levels etc. Inspector provides client with the written report explaining areas of concern and safety issues. The client uses inspectors findings to take an informed decision about the purchase of the property.

A good Inspector is invaluable asset to home buyers. Defects or repair items discovered during a home inspection can easily justify the cost of the quality home inspection.

At RK Home Inspections we are available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA, Home Inspection Markham

Find us on google places / maps  Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
5. Ice Damns
6. Common Electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum Wiring
8. Winter Home Maintenance Tips
9. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
10. Causes of Wet Basement

www.rkhomeinspections.ca