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Exterior Defect Pictures from  Home Inspection Defect Pictures

This Exterior Defect Pictures gallery shows the extent of damage that lack of maintenance can  cause to your home.  Read articles on Home Maintenance
Water is generally the most active cause of exterior damage.  Caulking and painting are the two most overlooked methods of preventing exterior damage to your homes exterior.  Wood will typically start to rot and decay once its moisture content exceeds 15%.  Preventive maintenance can stop water from attacking your home.  The cost of capping exposed wood with aluminum would be more cost effective than spending that money on repairing exposed wood.

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View pictures of exterior defects found in Barrie and Local Area

Siding Exterior Defect Pictures

Hardboard siding begins to swell and then literally fall apart when it rots. Deteriorated hardboard siding is usually quite easy for anyone to spot. Check the north sides, areas not protected by soffits (overhangs), and the areas closest to the ground first; these will be the first areas to rot. If unsure about an area, push on it with your finger, but not too hard.  When hardboard siding is badly rotted, it gets mushy.  Older hardboard siding sometimes has an asbestos content.  John Mansville hard board siding was known to have an asbestos content in the 1980’s.  Read article on Trust Fund for Asbestos

Window Defect Pictures

Rotted wood windows that have been patched may look fine from a distance, but it’s usually easy to spot damaged areas when up close.  Give the windows a little poke with a probe or small screwdriver when rot is suspected.  Sometimes the patchwork will be paper-thin, so don’t probe more than once.

Water Management

This one is huge.  Make sure water is properly directed away from the house.  Look for proper gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions.  They’re not required, but they certainly help.  Also, check to make sure the earth slopes away from the house.  Water draining toward a house can lead to basement flooding, as well as foundation problems.  Ideally your grade should slope away from your foundation a minimum of 2 inches every 6 feet.

Do It Your Self – Home Inspection

When inspecting the exterior of your home, pay particular attention to the southern and south western sides because they are the ones that are more exposed to the sun and temperature variations, and will typically deteriorate at a much quicker rate. North facing walls may be more susceptible to mildew as lack of sun does not completely dry exterior.

  • Check in areas where water may have penetrated the wall. Water in any form (rain, melting snow, or ice) is your main culprit and cause of water damage to your homes exterior. Water stains are often the first sign that your exterior wall needs repair.
  • Check wall sections close to gutters and downspouts. The adjacent trim often shows evidence of water damage.  Check exterior foundation walls for cracks in concrete.  Hairline cracks are normal but horizontal cracks could indicate problems with foundation.
  • Check the walls near shrubs which grow against the house, and/or near overhanging trees. These portions of the exterior walls are often susceptible to fungus and mildew growth, and, in the case of wood sidings, eventual rot.  A minimum of 2′ clearance is recommended between the sides of the house and any shrubs.  Those bushes and shrubs will grow quickly and it is important to consider this when planting.
  • Check low lying wood members, especially wood that is in direct contact with the soil, for signs of wood-destroying moisture. Soil should be kept at least 6″ below wood siding and floor joists to prevent insect and/or moisture damage.  ( today’s building code requires 5 3/4 inches of exposed foundation to prevent moisture damage to siding etc. )
  • Check aluminum, vinyl, and steel siding periodically as it may become loose at each floor level due to shrinkage of the wood framing. If a strong wind blows the siding off, you will need to consult a professional for repairs.