Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Proper Bearing Under The House

Posts, and any structure designed for support, have to have bearing. That means the component has to rest on something stable, like a footing. In this case, at an older home, this post has no bearing. It is hanging. Sure, it would be nice if it also had an impervious membrane under the post to protect it from moisture wicking up from the concrete below. On the other hand, being an older house, the majority of the other posts don't have such membranes underneath them either and they are holding up. The post must have bearing. That means it should be positioned on the footing so that the post will actually "bear" some weight. Otherwise, what good is it?

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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Comments

Steve ~ Great post. I have run into these issues. Call a structural engineer and have the seller re-enforce and stabilized the footers/foundation!

Posted by Monique Hailer (CENTURY 21 New Millennium) about 2 years ago

You mean mud or a bucket of water is not an acceptable bearing?  : )

Posted by Joel Prince, Hixson/Soddy Real Estate Broker (The Principle Group, Inc) about 2 years ago

Sellers still balk at fixing them.

Posted by Duane Murphy Fox Valley, Appleton, WI Homes for Sale- Local Real Estate News (Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group Inc.) about 2 years ago

Aw Steve, don't be so picky.  It's pert near that concrete thing so just hit it with a sledge hammer and knock it over a wee bit.  : )

Posted by Barbara S. Duncan, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) about 2 years ago

It's been like that for a long time, what's the big deal ;)

Posted by Troy Pappas - Virginia Beach Home Inspector (Safe House Property Inspections) about 2 years ago

Yes.. I can see that it must be bearing...  Weren't you just in Mexico?  Welcome back..

Posted by Darren Revell (Keller Williams Realty - East Foothill) about 2 years ago

Gee! I've lost my bearings! Now what do I do...

Helping you help others live their American dream...

Posted by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297 (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.) about 2 years ago

You are always bearing down on something or other.

Posted by Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) about 2 years ago

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