Vancouver House Inspections - Metro Home Inspections, Vancouver

Roof Structure
The framing that supports the roof sheathing, the roofing and must resist snow and wind loads.
Chimney
The structure enclosing the flue. The flue is the passage inside the chimney through which smoke and gases are exhausted form a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace.
Gable Vent
A vent below the ridge on the gable ends of a roof to provide part of all of the ventilation for the attic.
Attic Insulation
Installed over ceilings to resist heat transmission. The most common material since the 1960s is fibreglass. In general, more is better.
Ceilings
The upper finished surface of a room. Usually finished in drywall or plaster.
Doors
Provides access to the home. Interestingly, most building codes only require one access door per residence. Current codes require that exterior doors be solid core or metal-clad insulated doors.
Driveway
A short private road from the street. More commonly constructed in asphalt, concrete or brick pavers.
Electrical Service
Also called overhead "drop". It can be underground and should be rated for 100 Amps, 240 Volts, for most single-family homes with natural gas heating.
Fascia
The fascia board is the finished edge of the roof, also called the eaves. The gutters are usually attached to the fascia.
Fireplace
Typically used for ambience. Not very energy efficient.
Flashing
Typically sheet metal used between dissimilar materials in roofing and sidings to shed water. A small, but very important component of the exteriors.
Floor Joists
A series of horizontal lumber (can also sometimes be of wood composites) that provides the structural strength of floor assemblies.
Floor Joists
A series of horizontal lumber (can also sometimes be of wood composites) that provides the structural strength of floor assemblies.
Floors
The finished floor is called flooring, and the material directly attached to the joists is called floor sheathing. The sheathing is often planks, plywood or composite sheathing.
Footing
The widened section, usually concrete, found at the base or bottom of a foundation wall, pier or column.
Foundation Damp-Proofing
The process of coating the outside of a foundation wall with a special preparation that resists water or moisture from coming through the walls.
Foundation Drains
Perforated pipes placed near the footing of the foundation and surrounded by gravel and/or filter cloth. These are used mainly to drain ground water away froum the foundation and help keep it dry.
Foundation Wall
The lower portion, usually concrete or masonry and includes the footings, which transfers the weight of a building structure or house to the ground.
Garage
A structure, either attached or detached from the house for parking cars. There should be a fire separation between the garage and living areas of the house.
Grading
This is the finished ground surface adjacent the foundation walls. It can be concrete, soil, stone, etc. and must slope away from the foundation walls to help with drainage.
Gravel Fill
A widely used building material made up of an aggregate of more or less rounded rock fragments that is loosely packed around foundation drain pipes to increase the drainage volume of ground water.
Gutters
Horizontal trough for collecting rain water from the roof. Usually metal, wood or hidden (trough liners).
Gutters
Horizontal trough for collecting rain water from the roof. Usually metal, wood or hidden (trough liners).
Heat Distribution
The method by which heat is distributed throughout the house, such as forced air or hot water.
Heating System
The mechanical system that provides heat to a house, such as forced air, gas-fired furnace or heat pump. It could also be electric (baseboards) or hot water (hydronic).
Interior Walls
Walls on the inside of house that are either load bearing or non-load bearing.
Rain Water Leaders
(or Downspouts)
Vertical section of pipe in a gutter system that drains water away from the roof.
Return Air Grill
Part of a forced air system. They should be floor level in our climate and direct air from the living space back to the furnace to be reheated.
Roof Sheathing
Usually planks, plywood or composite. It has the dual function of bracing the roof structure and supporting the roofing.
Roofing
Material over the roof structure used to keep the building and its occupants protected from rain, snow, wind and sun (i.e. asphalt shingles, tiles, metal, etc).
Roofing Felt
Asphalt impregnated paper used as a moisture barrier and added protection below the roofing.
Sheathing Paper
Paper treated with tar or asphalt used under exterior wall claddings to protect against the penetration of water or air.
Sheathing Paper
Paper treated with tar or asphalt used under exterior wall claddings to protect against the penetration of water or air.
Siding
The finished covering of the outside wall of a framed building or house. Many different types are available, such as wood, stucco, vinyl or brick.
Siding
The finished covering of the outside wall of a framed building or house. Many different types are available, such as wood, stucco, vinyl or brick.
Sill Plate
A structural member, anchored to the top of a foundation wall, upon which the floor joists rests.
Soffit
The underside of exterior parts of a building or house, such as roof overhangs, cantilevered floors, balconies, beams, etc.
Stairs
A series of steps, with or without landings, or platforms, usually between 2 or more floors of a building or house.
Walkway
Access to, from, or around the house for foot traffic that can be finished in a variety of materials, usually concrete or stone pavers.
Wall Framing Studs
A series of vertical wood or metal members. Usually 2 x 4s or 2 x 6s.
Wall Insulation
Material used to resist heat transmission in the space between the exterior wall siding and interior wall finish.
Wall Sheathing
A covering, structural or non-structural, consisting of panels or boards and attached to the exterior of the studs (e.g. plywood or composite panels).
Wall Sheathing
A covering, structural or non-structural, consisting of panels or boards and attached to the exterior of the studs (e.g. plywood or composite panels).
Water Heater
Typically gas fired or electric units which heat and provide domestic hot water to the house.
Window Trim
The finishing around windows, typically made out of metal, wood or vinyl.
Windows
Provide light and ventilation to houses. The frames are usually wood in older house and metal or vinyl in newer houses.

3D Anatomy of a House