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  1. #1
    ryan simpson's Avatar
    ryan simpson Guest

    Default Foundation/Grade question

    Hi,
    I am filling out an inspection exam, and one of the questions ask's

    "which of the following is the worst case scenario?"
    a. the top of the foundation wall is at grade
    b. the top of the foundation was is 3 inches below grade
    c. the top of the foundation wall is 16 inches above grade
    d. the top of the foundation was is 10 inches wide.

    *i cant find anything online to answer it directly, but it seems to be choice C.

    THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

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  2. #2
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Quote Originally Posted by ryan simpson View Post
    Hi,
    I am filling out an inspection exam, and one of the questions ask's

    "which of the following is the worst case scenario?"
    a. the top of the foundation wall is at grade
    b. the top of the foundation was is 3 inches below grade
    c. the top of the foundation wall is 16 inches above grade
    d. the top of the foundation was is 10 inches wide.

    *i cant find anything online to answer it directly, but it seems to be choice C.

    THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!
    RS: B


  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    So we're cheating on the test huh?

    On the road to being a Professional Home Inspector.

    rick


  4. #4
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Hurst View Post
    So we're cheating on the test huh?

    On the road to being a Professional Home Inspector.

    rick
    Rick: Now, be nice. He is in Flahdah, after all . . . don't be too hard on those Flahddah Boys.


  5. #5
    ryan simpson's Avatar
    ryan simpson Guest

    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    its open book, the reason for them making us find the information is because they say it will help us remember better than simply reading it from a text.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Quote Originally Posted by ryan simpson View Post
    its open book, the reason for them making us find the information is because they say it will help us remember better than simply reading it from a text.
    What class or school are you in?

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    They said open book, not the World Wide Web.

    Nothing like having a wireless internet card handy though.


  8. #8
    ryan simpson's Avatar
    ryan simpson Guest

    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Its a packet sent out by the company containing the exam. Not a school.

    And rick, they actually advise you to find the information through the web, local library. im not cheating on anything.

    Thanks for the help miller


  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Quote Originally Posted by ryan simpson View Post

    And rick, they actually advise you to find the information through the web, local library. im not cheating on anything.
    Ryan,

    Just busting your sphere's dude.


  10. #10
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    Chicago IL
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    B - now who's going to explain to him why. Or maybe he should explain it to us so he can really get taught a lesson.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Quote Originally Posted by ryan simpson View Post
    Its a packet sent out by the company containing the exam. Not a school.

    And rick, they actually advise you to find the information through the web, local library. im not cheating on anything.

    Thanks for the help miller
    Gotcha, that's pretty kool.. Is it from the company that has the listing on EBay?

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Ryan,

    Think of it this way:

    Quote Originally Posted by ryan simpson View Post
    "which of the following is the worst case scenario?"
    "worst case"

    a. the top of the foundation wall is at grade
    You want the top of the foundation wall *AT LEAST* at grade, and preferably a minimum of 8 inches above final grade, which is sod level. Being *AT* grade is *NOT GOOD*.

    b. the top of the foundation was is 3 inches below grade
    That makes this REAL BAD.

    c. the top of the foundation wall is 16 inches above grade
    Excellent, exceed the minimum 8 inches by another 8 inches!

    d. the top of the foundation was is 10 inches wide.
    Could be 8 inches wide, could be 12 inches wide, all other answers have something to do with "height of foundation wall and grade", this is your red herring answer - discard it.

    Okay, which of the above answers is "WORST CASE"?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  13. #13

    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Hi,
    I am filling out an inspection exam, and one of the questions ask's

    "which of the following is the worst case scenario?"
    a. the top of the foundation wall is at grade
    b. the top of the foundation was is 3 inches below grade
    c. the top of the foundation wall is 16 inches above grade
    d. the top of the foundation was is 10 inches wide.

    *i cant find anything online to answer it directly, but it seems to be choice C.
    Ryan,

    Let's actually cover these one by one........

    a) The top of the foundation wall being at grade is a problem because the framing can/ will rot out over time.

    b)Now you have 3" of buried siding, framing, etc.-- this is much worse than A. Now the wall can really rot out.

    c)Having the top of the foundation wall being 16" above grade is great-- concrete isn't gonna rot. (test doesn't say where the bottom is).

    d)Having a foundation stem wall 10" wide is probably a good thing. (wider than typical in residential).


  14. #14

    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Dang it Jerry, you beat me to the draw by a matter of seconds.


  15. #15
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    Quote Originally Posted by Brandon Whitmore View Post
    Dang it Jerry, you beat me to the draw by a matter of seconds.

    Well ... I was just sitting here going 'you know, I betcha ol' Brandon is just about now typing his last word, ... now his last letter ... now getting ready to click ... CLICK! I clicked mine first.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  16. #16
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    Healdsburg, CA
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    Default Re: Foundation/Grade question

    If I had seen this earlier I would have been sorely temped to answer C.

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

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