House is Jacked!

Screw jacks are common in homes. Just because you see one doesn't mean your house is broke. This particular one in its current state seems like a temporary solution before the house is reinforced. Unfortunately this was supposed to be a permanent solution. Two things need to be done for this to be acceptable. 1. Every hole at the top of the jack needs to have a nail in it so it doesn't shift. (As its doing.) 2. This jack needs a permanent base so it doesn't sink. (As its doing.)

Metalling with two different metals.

Unfortunately this is very common. New copper piping was added to old plumbing pipes causing Electrolytic Corrosion. This happens when two dissimilar metals are connected to each other with the presence of water. The result is corrosion at a rapid pace causing leaks. These two pipes need a coupling to connect the two, like a plastic, dielectric connector.

Space...Your Final Front Door.

This door on the building has huge spacing issues. Typically anything higher than 3 steps or 24" to 30" from the ground needs a handrail but what this stoop needs is balusters. (The vertical poles in the railing.) The balusters should also not exceed 4" to keep children from slipping through. Someone can easily fall through these openings and cause serious injury or even death.

Brick or Frosting Foundation?

Efflorescence is the "salts" water leaves behind on brickwork once it penetrates and evaporates. This foundation wall was overrun with efflorescence. This particular case was severe in that in some areas it was 3/4 of an inch thick. The two parallel walls had evidence of drainage problems. How this problem went unnoticed for so long escapes me. When I attempted to run the sump pump, guess what? Yep, dump, the pump.

Should be called, "Repair Conditioner"

This is a rarity and never a common practice. Not only does this air conditioner not have a cover on it during the fall months to keep debris out but it is sitting directly on the ground. Like a sand snake, it vibrates and buries itself into the ground. All Air Conditioners must sit on a platform and be leveled.

Mudjack anyone?

This is a minor repair with catastrophic results if not corrected. This sidewalk initially had a small crack between the base of the building and the walkway. Originally the walkway was pitched away from the house. Since the crack was never caulked, it now slopes toward the home and we have water-ponding (evidence of algae) next to the home. This will continue to escalate to larger problems in the walls and foundation. This walkway needs to be mud-jacked - which is the process of drilling holes in the sidewalk and pumping mud underneath it to correctly pitch water away from the home - or just have a new sidewalk poured.