There are common parts to every house. Meaning you find these things almost with out exception on or in every home. So it would stand to reason that common items would be made correctly. Being that they are so pervasive you would expect them to be building 101, the easy stuff. Regrettably there are those that either skip class or were sleeping during the lesson.
Stairs are a great example of a common item and building 101. And yet they are constructed wrong much too often.
Take for instance this porch stairway I found during a recent inspection. Stair stringers, the part the stairs are nailed to, must fall with in certain guidelines to be safe. One of these is the depth of the notch into the wood. The corner of the notch can not be less than 4" inches deep. This is measured from the corner to the back side (flat part) of the stair stringer.
If you look at this stringer you will notice that the notch gets progressively smaller (indicated by arrows) as you move toward the ground. Also the bottom stair is much lower in height (referred to as rise) than the rest, another no, no.
This rear stairway was so poorly constructed (these weren't the only problems) that it will need to be completely rebuilt in order to be safe and properly functional. So you see how being well strung is vitally important to a safe stairway.
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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Whoops----the builder probably noticed the mistake and used the stringer anyway:) The riser height looks way high as well. Stairs are probably the single most difficult aspect of a home to get right.
Well,
Unless you are light and agile, like Nutsy, those stairs look like they could provide any number of unpleasant surprises.
Charlie, I would believe that. Having to make them fit into a certain area and have them fall within the set of specified parameters can be challenging.
Steve, The clients wife and their agent came onto the porch when the husband and I were out side looking them over. I advised them to move off the stairs.
James do you think that they got them off the shelf at the local HD? Not an excuse, if you've ever built a stringer that was an abnormal angle well........ it takes a good carpenter or at least 3 math majors.
No HD Jack, home built for sure. Actually a degree in string theory would be helpful:o
James,
In a similar vein, I know a couple realtors who fell through rotten decking boards.....nice.
Wow. You always have to be careful in peoples homes. You never know what surprises may be waiting.
Interesting. You just never know what you are going to find and even stranger would be asking the guy who did it, whats up with that.
Gene, In this case it may be what's going down with that.
Mr James,
If you had told me not to step on it, I would have done it anyway and there would not have been a problem. So there.
Your friend, Nutsy
PS -- If you would like a Valentine's Day outfit like mine, I can get you one at wholesale prices.
James - sorry to have missed this! Haven't had time to hang around lately... what a month!
That is one FINE example of Uncle Bob carpentry! Good thing no one brought the fridge in the back door!
I think Nutsy has a thing for you...
Nutsy, I don't do togas.
Jay, Been getting hectic here finally! Yup, a definite Uncle Bob job.
That crazy squirrel has been telling everyone I saved his sorry keister from rotting in a Mexican jail. He lives quite the fantasy life.
Mr James,
Your heroism in springing me was much appreciated. I hope to wear this outfit to your barbecue and hope that you will wear a matching outfit.
Nutsy
PLEASE send me a picture of that little fiesta! Maybe Steven can make some wormy mole.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Squirrel - Men In Togas! (With really fashionable headgear too...) Now there's a great movie idea!
Nutsy, Perhaps we can have Roman themed barbecue. We can have Roman games where we substitute cats for lions and squirrels for Christians. Sound like fun?
Jay, The planned main course is Nutsy on a spit slow roasted.
Mr James,
Are you saying I am wearing a toga? Oh my, I thought it was a dress. Now I feel foolish, but I plan to wear it anyway because I think it makes me look sporty.
Nutsy
I was just checking this blog to say it was a good picture and a helpful blog. Who do I find prancing around here? Nutsy everywhere. I knew you were a secret admirer of the little cutie! The secret is out!