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Section 1 ---
Author Paul Lockinger
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The driveway may consist of one or more materials including but not limited to asphalt, brick, concrete, gravel, pebble surface, stone, tile, or unpaved.
The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under vehicular or foot traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All components should be present, and properly attached. The plane of the driveway should be smooth and level. There should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. There should be no cracks, damage, or other deterioration.
The driveway, when located within 10 feet of the foundation, should have a positive slope away from the structure. See section 1.3 for more information on slope.
1.1 Sidewalk(s)
The sidewalk may consist of one or more materials including but not limited to brick, concrete, pavers, pebble surface, stone, tile, wood, or carpet covered.
The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under foot or vehicular traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All components should be present, and properly attached. The plane of the sidewalk should be smooth and level. There should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. Carpeting a sidewalk is not a recommended practice; however, any carpet covering should be in good condition, smooth, and securely attached. There should be no cracks, damage, or other deterioration.
The sidewalk, when located within 10 feet of the foundation, should have a positive slope away from the structure. See section 1.3 for more information on slope.
1.2 Porch(s)/ Stoop(s)
Is it a porch or a stoop? A stoop can be defined as a platform at the entry to the structure, weather it is approached by steps, or on the same plane as the walkway. A porch can then be defined as a stoop with a roof covering it.
The porch/stoop may consist of one or more materials including but not limited to brick, concrete, pavers, pebble surface, stone, tile, wood, or carpet covered.
The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under foot or vehicular traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All components should be present, and properly attached. All materials should be properly sized with no sagging or over-spanning. The plane of the porch/stoop should be smooth and level. There should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. Carpeting a porch/stoop is not a recommended practice; however, any carpet covering should be in good condition, smooth, and securely attached. There should be no cracks, damage, or other deterioration.
The porch/stoop should have a positive slope away from the structure. See section1.3 for more information on slope.
1.3 Grading/Drainage
The grading may be flat to minimal, moderate, or a steep slope. At the structure the soil level should be a minimum of 4 inches below the wall covering (stucco, siding, brick, etc.). There should be no wood in contact with the structure and the surrounding soil.
For proper drainage, the grade adjacent to the structure should have a positive slope away from the foundation for a minimum distance of 10 feet. In either an open area or under a porch or stoop, a positive slope should be present. Soft surfaces should have a drop of at least 1/2 of an inch per foot. A hard surface should have a drop of at least 1/4 of an inch per foot.
Any amount of water that may be flowing toward the structure from the surrounding area should be redirected through the use of retention basins, culverts, swales, retaining walls, drainage systems, or anything that will guard the structure and divert the water flow. It may be necessary to have an expert determine if the systems in place will divert the full flow of water, or if additional systems should be installed.
The entire lawn should be firm (no saturated or flooded areas), and free of holes, exposed tree roots, exposed pipes, erosion, or anything that may be a trip hazard.
1.4 Vegetation
A generally accepted rule states that no vegetation should be planted within 16 inches of the foundation. Although this is a good starting point there is more to be considered when looking at the vegetation near a structure. The vegetation should be planted at a distance beyond the furthest reaches of the untrimmed branches in order to avoid any contact with or damage to the structure from either visible or non-visible portions of the plant. The vegetation should be healthy and free of any signs of stress.
1.5 Fencing/ Wall(s)
Fencing and or walls may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to block, chain link, metal, stucco, wire, or wood.
The fencing or wall should be fully visible, sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and plumb (not leaning). All components should be present, properly attached, and not damaged, corroded or otherwise deteriorated.
If there is a water feature on the property, the fence or wall surrounding the feature should be designed to prevent unwanted entry (no openings through which a spherical object four inches in diameter can pass), and high enough (with proper design) to prevent climbing.
1.6 Gate(s)
A gate may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to chain link, metal, wire, or wood.
The gate should be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), plumb (not leaning). All components should be present, and properly attached. The gate should open and close easily (no rubbing or sticking), and latch and unlatch without fussing with the mechanism.
The gate columns should be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), plumb (not leaning), and of sufficient size to handle the weight and operation of the gate. The gate and column should be free of damage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
When a water feature is on the property, the protective gate should swing out (away from the water feature). The gate should be self-closing, self-latching, and designed to prevent unwanted entry (no openings through which a spherical object four inches in diameter can pass), high enough (with proper design) to prevent climbing, and the latch should be mounted a minimum of fifty-four inches above any walking surface. The self-closing mechanism should be operating properly (close the gate fully, when the gate is released from a distance of 6 inches from the gatepost). The self-latching feature should be operating properly (Latch immediately upon full closure of the gate).
1.7 Retaining Wall(s)
Any structure designed to keep soil at differing elevations is considered to be a retaining wall. A retaining wall may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to block, brick, concrete, metal, stone, or wood.
A retaining wall should be fully visible, sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and plumb (not leaning). All components should be present, properly attached, and not damaged, corroded or otherwise deteriorated. There should be no signs of water penetration. Any retaining wall over four feet in height should contain weep holes.
1.8 Patio(s)
The patio may consist of one or more materials including but not limited to brick, concrete, pavers, pebble surface, stone, tile, wood, or carpet covered.
The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under foot or vehicular traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All components should be present, and properly attached. The plane of the patio should be smooth and level. There should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. Carpeting a patio is not a recommended practice; however, any carpet covering should be in good condition, smooth, and securely attached. There should be no cracks, damage, or other deterioration.
The patio should have a positive slope away from the structure. See section 1.3 for more information on slope.
1.9 Patio Cover(s)
The patio cover may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to drywall, metal, or wood.
The patio cover should be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and not leaning. All components should be present, and properly attached. All materials should be properly sized with no sagging or over-spanning. There should be no cracks, damage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
There should be a sufficient number of straps to keep the cover from shifting due to wind or other disturbances. The straps should not be damaged, corroded or otherwise deteriorated, and, nails should be driven through each of the provided nail holes.
1.10 Balcony(s)
The balcony may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to concrete, membrane, metal, wood, or carpet covered.
The balcony should be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and plumb (not leaning). The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under foot traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All materials should be properly sized with no sagging or over-spanning. All components should be present, and properly attached. The plane of the balcony should be smooth and level. There should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. Carpeting a balcony is not a recommended practice; however, any carpet covering should be in good condition, smooth, and securely attached. There should be no cracks, damage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
The balcony should have a positive slope away from the structure. The positive slope on a balcony may be reduced to 1/8 of an inch per foot. See section 1.3 for more information on slope.
There should be a sufficient number of straps to keep the balcony from shifting due to wind or other disturbances. The straps should not be damaged, corroded or otherwise deteriorated, and nails should be driven through each of the provided nail holes.
1.11 Deck(s)
The deck may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to concrete, membrane, metal, wood, or carpet covered.
The deck should be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and plumb (not leaning). The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under foot traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All materials should be properly sized with no sagging or over-spanning. All components should be present, and properly attached. The plane of the deck should be smooth and level. There should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. Carpeting a deck is not a recommended practice; however, any carpet covering should be in good condition, smooth, and securely attached. There should be no cracks, damage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
The deck should have a positive slope away from the structure. The positive slope on a deck may be reduced to 1/8 of an inch per foot. See section 1.3 for more information on slope.
There should be a sufficient number of straps to keep the deck from shifting due to wind or other disturbances. The straps should not be damaged, corroded or otherwise deteriorated, and nails should be driven through each of the provided nail holes.
1.12 Exterior Step(s)
The step(s) may consist of a variety of materials including but not limited to brick, concrete, metal, stone, wood, or carpet covered.
The step(s) should have a consistent rise and run from one level to the next, be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and level (not leaning). The surface and the supporting structure (soil, piers, posts, columns, beams, etc.) should be stable, not shift under foot traffic, and provide for good traction (not slippery). All materials should be properly sized with no sagging or over-spanning. All components should be present, and properly attached. The plane of the step(s) should be smooth and level, there should be no areas that are raised or settled, and the joints should not be damaged or lifted. Carpeting exterior step(s) is not a recommended practice; however, any carpet covering should be in good condition, smooth, and securely attached. There should be no cracks, damage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
1.13 Exterior Railing(s)
The railings should be sturdy (not loose or wobbly), and plumb (not leaning). All materials should be properly sized with no sagging or over-spanning. All components should be present, and properly attached. Exterior railings should be designed in such a way so as to have no openings through which a spherical object 4 inches in diameter can pass, a top rail a minimum of 42 inches above the walking surface, and should not be climbable. There should be no cuts, cracks, gaps, damage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
1.14 Fountain(s)/ Pond(s)
Fountains and ponds vary greatly in design, materials, function, purpose, etc. There is a common factor; fountains and ponds should confine water to the intended area. All components should be present and properly attached. Pumps should operate quietly (no banging, squealing, or other unusual noises), and move water or air as intended. There should be no cracks, damage, leakage, corrosion, or other deterioration.
1.15 Outbuilding(s)
The standards that apply to the main structure apply to the outbuilding(s).