STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS
Readily accessible and visible structural areas were inspected as part of this home inspection and appear functional, unless otherwise indicated within the Recommendations | Defects section of this report. Please note that any areas that are hidden from view (due to stored items, wall/ceiling/floor coverings, insulation, vapor barriers, etc.) are NOT included as part of this inspection.
The purpose of these Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for Louisiana state licensed home inspectors. Home inspections performed pursuant to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as observed at the time of inspection.
The home inspector shall inspect structural components including:
-
foundation;
-
framing;
-
columns; and
-
piers
The home inspector shall describe the type of:
-
foundation;
-
floor structure;
-
wall structure;
-
columns;
-
piers;
-
ceiling structure; and
-
roof structure
The home inspector shall:
-
probe structural components only where deterioration is visible, except where probing would damage any surface;
-
enter readily accessible under floor crawlspaces, basements, and attic spaces and, if applicable, report the reason why an area was not readily accessible;
-
report the methods used to inspect or access under floor crawl spaces and attics; and
-
report signs of abnormal or harmful water penetration into the building or signs of abnormal or harmful condensation on building components.
Only a representative number of structural framing components located in the attic and/or crawlspace are inspected. It is beyond to the scope of a normal home inspection to calculate or determine the strength, adequacy, or efficiency of any system or component.
If any defects documented in the inspection report are of concern, we highly recommend that any further evaluation and repairs be performed by a licensed structural engineer.