Poor, improper new construction; veneer below grade

What I want to show you today is, in my opinion, shocking.
Shocking because what I'm about to show you has not been allowed in over 20 years.
We're talking construction that has taken place in 2024. This isn't a very high-end neighborhood and the municipal inspections have passed. What I'm referring to is on this new construction wood frame and they've taken a veneer to and below grade.
So what I want to do for you now is show you this video and then at the end I'm going to
show you the code and the codes that apply both in Florida and the IRC to this. Now one thing in the video that is kind of funny, you've got this wood frame column that is supported by two CMUs laying on their side. Now I know that's funny in and of itself but that's not the point of this video.
But the moral of the story being even though you're buying brand new construction in a
high-end neighborhood and the municipal inspections have passed does not mean that you're purchasing something that is code compliant. That is not true. Watch this video and I will show you the codes here afterwards.
So as we walked around the house the EIFS goes to and or below grade everywhere. The whole house, the front everywhere. This particular column is exposed and we've got a wood frame with EIFS. If you can see there's literally two blocks, one there and one here. And this is all wood frame underneath here. Where do the termites go?
So in this following chart you'll see apart from any ASTM or manufacturer standards, the
Florida Building Code and the IRC.
Now you'll notice back in the 2001 Florida Building Code that it was required to keep
finishes on wood frame construction six inches above grade. That was in chapter 14.
In the next code cycle it specifically mentioned EFS and maintaining a clearance above grade
there in chapter seven where it also included the same language as it did in chapter 14,
the cycle before.
If you go back and look in the IRC in 2000 it's in chapter seven.
It's specifically mentioned the EIFS clearances.
And in the subsequent code in 703 again it specifically again mentions the EIFS but also talks about clearances above a weep screed. So there's a good argument to be made there that that's what they're referring to is a weep screed on drainage plane type system, stucco type system on wood frame Construction. In the current code sections it's still the same, still found in chapter 7 in both the IRC and the FBCR. I just wanted to go back in time back to when the Florida Building Code was first put out back in the very, very early 2000s and as early as the 2000 IRC that these requirements have been around for a very, very long time and yet they are still passing municipal inspections.
Now I think there's also an argument that could be made in the codes that say thou shalt build
with water resistant construction methods to keep water out. There's another one, well let me just read this one. The exterior wall envelope shall be designed and constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of water within the wall assembly. I think there's an argument to be made there that when the veneer extends below grade it can wick water up, cause damage to the interior wall assembly.
Just my opinion, I'm sure there are a lot of other standards and references.
This again is apart from any ASTM or manufacturer specific installation instructions.
This was just a very quick, easy video for me to go look up in code books and portray
to you. So if you're buying new construction I highly recommend getting a professional inspection.
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[@kurja]

I can't believe what passes in my area as well. Zone 6 with R-19 in the walls! No ice shield on the roof! But the three main contractors are the city's inspection board!

[@JohnSmith-cn4cw]

Funny that all that code and those inspections add to the final costs, but not the final product.

[@homeinspections]

Great point

[@wizengy]

Friend in Alabama had a concrete slab with brick veneer new home built. The earth grade was several inches above the bottom of the bricks. The termite weep hole highway was open for business. This was in 2006.

[@homeinspections]

Wow, what do they call that...job security

[@DnC2005]

The problem is that crap work like this is passed by the city, town or county inspectors. Wtf is the point of having permits and inspections if they are just gonna rubber stamp garbage work that doesn’t satisfy the code!! Once the structure passes inspection the liability should rest at least in part with the government body that said the work was to code.

[@bamahama707]

Because said work is NOT.

[@garyjarvis2730]

It's Florida! What else could you possibly say about crappy construction practices and paid off inspectors.

[@homeinspections]

I believe in this case it was a grossly unprepared inspector. it was actually a third party inspection company.

[@tuckersabath2099]

4:20 I can't say for certain, but I know that this particular evidence of neck down building has landed right around..... 4:20 .... and I'll just leave it at that.

[@brethinds4715]

we said. Sir

[@homeinspections]

Thanks for watching Bret!