Areas inaccessible and/or not visible due to design, finished surfaces, materials: Some areas are inaccessible and/or not visible due to design, finished surfaces, and materials. Therefore, the inspection is limited.
Minor horizontal cracks referred to as “checking,” generally not serious: Beams have minor horizontal cracks referred to as “checking,” which generally are not of serious concern. Solid wood beams typically form horizontal check cracks because they are installed when the wood is green and the outer surfaces dry out at a faster rate than the interior of the beam. Many such cracks occur without compromising the load-carrying capacity of the beam.
Grade beams employed in construction, water can travel along steel lintels: There are grade beams employed in the construction of the home. Water can travel along steel lintels used within the grade beams and it is common for water to seep under a grade beam and pool along the basement/crawl space intersecting wall. Pay particular attention to external surface drainage that is near the grade beams.