Foundation/Pre Pour Inspection - New Build Inspection - The Houston Home Inspector

[@brandonmiller1954]

Thanks for this video Chris! We need more new build inspection videos like this! Should do a Framing, Pre-drywall and final video some day.

[@lagoberto76]

Thank you so much for the thorough rundown of a Phase 1 Inspection

[@paulbaird853]

Very helpful video. I am a new inspector in Central Texas and love the content you guys put out. Thank you very much!!!

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Thanks for watching!

[@sammo6950]

​@AActionHomeInspectionHouston do you also do work in the forth worth area?

[@ladykcole5791]

Thank you. I am definitely hiring an inspector for a new semi-custom construction home. I learned a lot! Again, Thank you.

[@champion8413]

Great video thanks for the tips I’m new to the business and I would love more information and training resources if possible

[@clairemoore9012]

Thank you so much guys for this information, I'm sharing it with everyone I know that could benefit 😊 😀

[@arrowpropertyinspection72]

Great job. One of my favorites so far. Id definitely like to see more like this. 👍

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

I will work on that! Thanks

[@sampark3554]

Great video! Best one actually I’ve see regarding phase 1 inspection. Getting one done today so this helped!

[@steveludwig4200]

Good info! Our builder is in the process of setting forms for the foundation...so I am interested to know at what point we should have an independent real estate inspection visit the property for the first time? And then at what intervals should we have him return during the build? Thanks!

[@erikandrew1400]

Do you ever inspect the property line and setback distances?

[@normaajanel8385]

Can you make a video over Basements pre pour ?

[@FabianMartinez-wz3tp]

Quick question. Is there a specific certification you need in order to perform phase 1 and phase 2 inspections?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

There is not, Not in TEXAS. I still recommend your inspector has gone through some sort of education of course. You can check it on a TREC website. But he does not have to be licensed by the state at all to complete these inspections.

[@joekrohn6922]

What about sleeves on the drain lines running through grade beams???

[@julieendres569]

Thx. That was very helpful!

[@RegularJoes]

Why do you wait until the plumbing is covered to inspect it? An underslab plumbing inspection is the first inspection prior to any pt, rebar, vapor barrier. International Code Council provides certification for inspectors, would be helpful to look into it.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Thank you we will do that!

[@DavidPerez-uj5ui]

I filled a slope with red dirt. Leveled it out and dug my footers 10" deep. Then put 6" of gravel where the pad goes. Is grade considered the outside of the footers or is the grade where the slab sits?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Grade is outside of the slab

[@stephen5147]

Very well done. Thanks.

[@kauaireed9006]

Cool video, thanks.

[@bobvandigriff1425]

Great vid. Very informative.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Joe Vandigriff Thanks Man!

[@henryortiz5586]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston how far apart should footings be from one another it looks like they might be 20ft x20ft apart is there a specific requirement on slab size ?

[@CreatvieDesignbyNell]

Our concrete was just poured. What if I see minor cracks within areas of the pour? I've set an appointment with Jamie and Trevor from your company. Is it to late to have Phase I inspection completed?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Yes, once poured we can not see anything below the slab. We can check the slab during the phase two for you.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Thank you for trusting us to inspect your home.

[@sotxmatt]

What's the spacing for tendons in the beams depth wise?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

It always depends on what the plans say

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

You can typically see what they are asking on the second page or on the far right side of the first page

[@sotxmatt]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston Thanks for the info

[@sotxmatt]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston plans didn't spell out the depth of tendons. Plans did call out everything else in great detail. Plan included sect A, B, and C with beam tendon in view without depth called out. all other tendons are called out with location of depth and distance of spacing. Ill call my engineer to verify. I have found your videos very informative for the average guy like me building small investment rentals. This is my 5th build and I never asked the small detailed questions but rather left it to the builder and the inspector. Thanks again.

[@mjp8173]

How soon after an inspection should the concrete be poured? Is there a timeframe that you should have another inspection done if the builder fails to pour the concrete in a timely manner?

[@nelsonfontanez4174]

Great job 👏 I like 👍it you know what you taking 😉 about

[@Boomhauer0777]

Is there any kind of soil compaction test that needs to be done with a slab foundation? I only have experience with crawl space foundations. In my area an inspector will probe a footing looking for hard ground before any concrete is poured.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

I do not think there is a standard test. We walk on them and if they are soft or move we report on them. They will be the weakest on the edges and that is where I walk.

[@BackRoadBound]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston So what can they do fix it? Have this issue going on. Getting ready to poor Friday.

[@djc1013]

Yes there absolutely is compaction testing that should be done, wether it is with a nuclear gauge or a sand cone(less typical). I don’t know how they build there, but pads in AZ are always tested for compaction prior to concrete placement. The testing firm will have a standard proctor for the import AB, or whatever they’re using that will give them their dry density and moisture content. The local jurisdiction will most likely review and enforce this.

[@BackRoadBound]

Is there a code I can reference for the post tension cables? Right now 90% of our cables are exposed 6-8" on the ends and not sleeved up to the forms. Thanks!

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

This is a manufacture standard not a code. Codes are the minimum and everyone needs to follow manufacture standards. 1. To act as a bond breaker preventing the concrete from bonding to the steel. 2. To contain the P/T coating material and act as a secondary barrier against corrosion. It is important that the tendon be ""unbonded"" over its length to ensure that the full force is transmitted completely between anchorages."

[@BackRoadBound]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston Ok thank you so much! Just looking for some ammo to take to the builder when I ask that this be fixed. Just measured my footings and they are 12-16" wide in some places, not the 18" as the engineers plans show. Pipes not sleeved across the beams in a couple places. Cheap 6mil vapor barrier, not even taped at this point. They have a lot to fix by Friday before we pour. Thanks again!

[@BackRoadBound]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston So the contractor never fixed anything. I came on site mid pour and managed to shoot some video in between bitching them out and making sure they cleared the trenches. This is the condensed version, but perfect example of what not to do. Beyond pissed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3zEc2Btmqh6pLM

[@steventaylor7676]

Chris, What does it mean when you see “clearance under tub bucket”? Please explain for me (new to inspecting)

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Can you explain further please.

[@steventaylor7676]

My inspector has this on his report....I don’t know what it actually means: clearance under tub bucket. I don’t know what it means.....is the tub bucket the area of the drop in or a certain pipe?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

​@@steventaylor7676 The only thing I can think of what your inspector is talking about, there is supposed to be a bucket under the bath trap to have easy access to the plumbing under the tub. They do this in case you need to make future repairs or changes in that location. The buck keeps the concrete from covering the plumbing in that location.

[@mikechapman7939]

Good job! Please keep the shirt button up......looks alot better.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

I went through a phase lol

[@TheVasquez09]

Great video thanks for sharing! Question we just got a pre-pour inspection done on our new build and we noticed the construction crew covered a pipe with cardboard and duck tape. Is this acceptable? We spoke to our construction manager about it and he informed the city allows the pipe to be covered with cardboard or carpet or etc. Does this sound right to you?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Are you talking about the plumbing stack that sticks out of the ground?

[@TheVasquez09]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston no it would be the pipe underground used for plumbing drainage. It runs horizontally underground but a portion of it is exposed between the trenches. That small peice that is exposed is wrapped with cardboard and duck tape.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

@@TheVasquez09 From my understanding it needs to be sleeved in a larger PVC. -- P2603.5 Pipes through footings or foundation walls. Any pipe that passes under a footing or through a foundation wall shall be provided with a relieving arch; or there shall be built into the masonry wall a pipe sleeve two pipe sizes greater than the pipe passing through.

[@gina4319]

Gregvancom and Matt Risinger are the most annoying folks in the KZbin construction field

[@TheVasquez09]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston thanks for sharing that information much appreciated!

[@TheFredsterrr1]

The builder contracts you for this inspection or the buyer does?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Buyers

[@rsxtypeo]

What happens if the builder doesn't follow the directions after inspection ? Once they pour the concrete there's no way to be certain they resolved the issues found.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

We can only inform, it will be up to the buyer to move forward or not.

[@jshapiro34]

What do you look for in condos or town homes because they pour so many at one time?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

We do not typically inspect structures that big but the concept is the same. We locate the plans and make sure the pre pour is done to specs. You will see a lot more rebar on a structure of that size.

[@jshapiro34]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston are they built like single family homes or more commercial grade?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Jesse Shapiro after 3 or more structures attached I believe it is up to commercial. You will need to talk to the city though. There is like 0 zoning in Houston.

[@biker55555]

Sometimes only the ends of PT cables are wrapped in duct tape, any idea why?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

I guess they ran out of the proper tape

[@biker55555]

but why the ends only? have you seen this in the field?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

@@biker55555 yes often and we just write it up. Most of the time the end they pull it on is where it is tapped. In the end it probably doesn’t matter much anyways.

[@curtisbarnettsr.8168]

Did you have to take any other courses besides passing the Professional Inspector exams to be qualified to do pre pour Inspection ?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

There is no certification to inspect pre pours. I did take a class through rets and did several ride alongs to learn how to look at them properly.

[@curtisbarnettsr.8168]

@@AActionHomeInspectionHouston Thanks for your time and the information

[@rejojohn6036]

Any specific builders that you noticed in the Houston area that usually do a great job consistently?

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Perry and David Weekly

[@rejojohn6036]

A-Action Home Inspection Houston thanks a lot!

[@capitalizingondumbmoney1679]

Moral of the story dont build post tension homes

[@IG-by1wi]

They don't backfill under the boards until concrete reaches openings under boards, THEN they backfill. If you try and do it beforehand, it's hard for the dirt to stay in place and ends up just falling into footing. Everyone that's done a few slabs knows that. If there are deformities, they're under boards and usually BELOW GRADE. Nobody will see them