At an inspection the other day I saw a heavy layer of gravel around the outside of a foundation and that reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a former student. The student was studying for a licensing exam and he wanted clarification as to the correct answer to an exam prep question. The question said: Which statement is the potential inspection concern when gravel (porous material) is in close proximity to the foundation around the perimeter of a home? A. Gravel is easily disturbed, fine sand is better B. Gravel is a primary cause of foundation cracks C. The true slope of soil below the gravel is concealed so grading issues might exist D. Gravel, due to expansion and contraction, will damage the concrete foundation The best answer is C. Gravel can conceal the true slope of a lot. There might be a non-porous surface such as clay under the gravel and it could slope down toward the foundation and the footing. The gravel may have been put in place to hide a shortcut when the site work was done and, in essence, it conceals the fact that runoff water passes through the gravel and is then being directed against the foundation where inquiring eyes cannot see the problem. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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Great work Stephen. Have a good week.
Eldon
WooHoo I would have picked C - one down - how many more test questions to go? :)
Steven - I answered correctly. Where can I pick up my home inspector's license?
John,
You and Rita should each send fifty bucks to my certifried assistant Nutsy and he will whip something up for you.
Steven, I actually answered the question right! And I've never ever seen gravel near a foundation. Amazing what people do.
I guess I should have known the answer, right?
I would have received a gold star on this test. I don't see this very often in KY.
C is correct even when the gravel is sloped!
Good questions, would not of thought about whats under the stone.
Mr James,
This is the sort of valuable information you will be getting from me, assuming I know it myself which could be dependent on the number of wobbly pops we are having. I am again standing in the pitcher plant.
Nutsy