Foundation Evaluations - Foundation Survey Reading - San Marcos

TREC Approved Course #Pending Approval
8-hours Continuing Education

This course is intended to educate the TREC Licensed Inspector on the proper approach for evaluating the performance of a structures foundation and to make an educated decision when to refer a professional engineer.

The purpose of this course is to communicate the proper protocol for a TREC Licensed Inspector to take an interview with the client, record field notes, pictures and perform an elevation survey so a Home Inspector can make a determination on the “levelness” and performance of the foundation – both slab-on-ground and pier and beam.

Wither you use an elevation measuring tool or not, this course is loaded with useful information that will help you make an educated dissension on foundation performance.

Topics to be covered:

• The purpose of this course is to communicate the proper protocol for a TREC licensed Professional Real Estate Inspector to take an interview with the client, record field notes, pictures and perform an elevation survey so a Home Inspector can make a determination on the “levelness” and performance of the foundation – both slab and pier and beam.
  
• Introduction to the Standard Protocol of the American Society of Professional Engineers (ASCE) on the investigation of Foundation Performance including L/360 and 1% tilt.
  
• Procedure for taking field notes: This includes, interview with the client, taking the required pictures, taking an elevation survey (including CAD) and delivering the information to the engineer.
  
• Introduction on Deflection and Tilt Analysis to determine the criteria of foundation performance.
  
• Pier and Beam inspections including critical factors such as drainage, ventilation, component performance, structural load path from attic to foundation.
  
• Technical Discussion on Taking an Elevation Survey using a Zip-Level 2000.
  
• Pictures and Examples of various types of cracking and what they indicate: vertical, horizontal and diagonal.
  

Course Instructor: Michael D. Gandy, P.E. , Professional Engineer

• Principal owner and managing member of Lighthouse Engineering, LLC
  
• Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas - P.E. MEC #95672 (06/02/2005)
  
• Licensed Professional Real Estate Inspector - TREC #8720 (10/01/2005 - inactive)
  
• International Code Council Certified (Residential Combination) - ICC #8012008
  
• Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 1998
  
• Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas Arlington, 2004
  
• Performed as engineer-on-record for over 15,000 inspections since 01/2006
  
• http://lighthouseeng.com
  
• Design repair plans and forensic analysis for slab foundations, pier and beam foundations, retaining walls, attic structures, load bearing headers and columns for both residential and commercial properties.
  
• Private Pilot’s License
  
• Secret Level Government Security Clearance (expired)