Paved Area Inspection

A home inspection can turn into a valuable asset if conducted properly and in due time, as it can save energy and money by identifying potential problems before it’s too late and they become serious money drains. A home inspection, however, does not consist just of interior and exterior inspections of the walls, roof, plumbing and appliances. A paved area inspection is equally important, checking the roads and parking lots adjacent to the property, looking for concrete paving block mold or any other paved areas within or around your home and garden. As you walk around the property, inspect the brick paved area, the paths, steps, driveway and patio.

Generally, problems encountered with these items do not require immediate correction, but a tripping  hazard might exist nonetheless. Cosmetic maintenance of the paved area might be needed, or a condition might make the lower level vulnerable to water penetration. If you notice any problems during the paved area inspection, record them in your worksheet for early correction.

A paved area inspection should include the inspection of the following:

• sidewalks

Generally, sidewalks are constructed using concrete paving block, asphalt, or stone embedded in the ground with a stone chisel. If the sidewalk is in front of or on the sides of the house, the paved area inspection should include checking for cracked or uneven sections, because they are a potential tripping hazard. Even if the paved sidewalk may be on property owned by the town, its maintenance is usually the homeowners responsibility, so it is best you gain some knowledge on how to install, how to clean and how to maintain concrete paving block.

• street-level/ driveway-level steps

Paved steps might lead from the sidewalk or driveway to the front path. Paved area inspection should include checking for cracked, chipped, broken or uneven sections, looking specifically for dimensional variations in the step risers. The riser - vertical distance - for the top step or the bottom step is often a different size than those for the other steps. This difference interrupts the natural rhythm of ascending and descending the steps, resulting in a tripping hazard. Moreover, if there are more than two paved steps, a handrail should be installed as a safety precaution.

• front and side paths

Generally, residential structures have two main types of paths: the ribbon type path, typically constructed of concrete paving or asphalt, and the sectional type path, generally inlaid with material such as stones, prick paving, sections of tree trunks or precast concrete blocks. The section type normally requires periodic maintenance because of the tendency toward uneven settlement and weed growth between the sections. In addition, sometimes the sections are loose and uneven, thus presenting a tripping hazard. Occasionally, the sections are set in mortar mix. With paths, the paved area inspection should include looking for loose, cracked and chipped mortar joints that require repointing. Also, when inspecting the ribbon-type path, look for cracked, uneven and broken sections, as very often damage occurs because the base below the path was not properly prepared during construction. While inspecting the paths, also look for small, abrupt changes in the elevation. It is recommended that a single step in a path, except at an entrance, is avoided. If a slight elevation is necessary, it is best to convert it into a ramp.

• entry steps

Entry steps can be constructed of stone, concrete paving blocks, paving bricks, metal or wood. When more than two steps are necessary, at least one handrail should be installed as a safety precaution, especially if the property is located in an area where the temperature drops below freezing. Also, any dimensional variations in the risers are potential tripping hazards.

If the entry door opens onto the entry steps, a landing platform is necessary at the doorway instead of a step tread. The turnaround area of a single step tread is not considered adequate to operate a door safely. The platform, however, should provide sufficient space to allow adequate standing room while opening the door, which swings over the landing. As uneven sections present a tripping hazard, the paved area inspection here should include checking the foundation walls for cracked, broken and chipped sections if the steps are masonry-constructed. In addition, probe the area with a screwdriver to check the base of wooden stringers for rot.

• patio

There are almost as many types and styles of patios as there are houses, therefore some block patio instructions are essential for a proper paved area inspection. The more common types of patios are concrete slap, stone set in mortar mix, and brick or paving blocks set in the ground. In all cases, however, a particular concern is whether any tripping hazards can result from broken, cracked or uneven sections, so pay special attention to those. Some patios have a grid pattern, with wood embedded in the ground around sections of brick or concrete. In order to protect it from rot, this wood should be pressure-treated. More often than not, however, the wood is not pressure-treated and it rots in a few years, requiring replacement. Concrete-slab patios should have expansion joints and control joints for cracking, but again, very often these items are omitted, so the patio cracks. Inspection should include checking for concrete paving block molds, checking for signs of uneven settlement, ensuring that the patio is not sloping toward the house it is adjacent to (if it is adjacent to a house) because water can accumulate around the foundation. If the house has a basement or crawl space, it could enter those areas. This condition should be indicated on your worksheet for later correction, and serve as a reminder to inspect the area of the basement adjacent to the patio.

• driveway

Generally, driveways are constructed of asphalt, concrete, gravel and, more recently, individual paving blocks. Moreover, they might also be just a clearing, with no covering. On occasion, gravel driveways also develop ruts and require periodic replacement of the gravel. With concrete and asphalt driveways, paved area inspection should include checking for cracked, broken or settled areas that require rehabilitation. Also, in some cases, the driveway is on an incline, so that subsurface water flows below the driveway, thus undermining the subbase. In this situation, adequate provision for drainage of the subbase should be made prior to resurfacing. Then, when standing at the front of the driveway, look to see if it pitches directly down toward the house, because if it does, the garage and any other portion of the lower level are vulnerable to flooding unless a large operational drain at the base of the driveway intercepts the surface water. The minimum width for a driveway is eight feet, however nine feet is preferred. If the paved driveway is used both as an areaway for the car and a walkway in place of a path, it should be at least ten feet. Anything less will make walking difficult when a car is parked in the driveway.

Bottom line, whether you have concrete paving blocks, paved roads and parking lots, recycled brick pavings, mortar mix paving bricks or any other type of paved area, there are some guidelines not just on how to install, how to clean or how to lay block, but also on how to properly conduct a paved area inspection. If you prefer not to hire a professional home inspector to do the job, make sure you follow the guidelines and standards of practice.