Building Inspection Meanings (new house, contractor, tile)

[Baltimore Coppper]

Since there are so many knowledgeable people that read this forum, I'd like to see if someone can explain to me what a couple of new home building inspection terms mean. My new house in PGI is coming along nicely and today was inspected for "roof in progress-hip and ridge inspection". What exactly does that mean? The pool was also inspected for "footer/setback" and "pool deck pressure". I have no idea what these inspections mean either.
The pool was approved for both inspections but the roof inspection was disapproved and the comments said "Submit a letter from an engineer to the building dept for roof in progress-hip and ridge inspection" I'm curious if this is something to worry about? I know a lot of builders and building professionals participate on this board so could you help out a soon to be retired (not soon enough) cop from Baltimore?

[SeaRay35]

Originally Posted by Baltimore Coppper

Since there are so many knowledgeable people that read this forum, I'd like to see if someone can explain to me what a couple of new home building inspection terms mean. My new house in PGI is coming along nicely and today was inspected for "roof in progress-hip and ridge inspection". What exactly does that mean? The pool was also inspected for "footer/setback" and "pool deck pressure". I have no idea what these inspections mean either.
The pool was approved for both inspections but the roof inspection was disapproved and the comments said "Submit a letter from an engineer to the building dept for roof in progress-hip and ridge inspection" I'm curious if this is something to worry about? I know a lot of builders and building professionals participate on this board so could you help out a soon to be retired (not soon enough) cop from Baltimore?

Tom maybe send a message to MrSunshine. He is extremely helpful. I could guess on this but I do not want to mislead you.

[mr&mrssunshine]

well the first thing I can tell you is the City of PG is its own entity and from what you say has different inspections top Charlotte County, because we have none of those.

starting with hip/ridge, without seeing your home I am going to guess its being tiled and they are making sure the hip and ridge tiles are correctly secured down . not sure whether your(the builders) engineer has to physically inspect and say ok or as is more likely just produce a generic letter saying..."this is how it should be done' . I know PG specifies tile rather than shingle and those things can be missiles, also the ridge and hips are the first to go and normally have extra mechanical fixings to keep them on. I wouldn't be scared by a failure for a technicality.

Footer/setback.......again there are codes saying your house and/or pool have to be x ft from the boundary lines, these are called setbacks. your home will have been designed to comply and this should just be a check that they have put it in the right place. Footers contain steel and when inspected they look for the correct size, amount, spacing etc.

Most of this is bread and butter for a contractor, its just the different counties/cities have different terminologies and requirements depending on locations.

I gotta admit pool deck pressure beats me, not being a pool installer !!

[Harbor Hopper]

Originally Posted by Baltimore Coppper

The pool was also inspected for "footer/setback" and "pool deck pressure". I have no idea what these inspections mean either.
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It should be "pool deck/pressure", as in, separate items. The pool deck, prior to pouring the concrete, has to be inspected for soil compaction and termite treatment within 1 ft of the existing building (if required by local code). They verify rebar size, lap and spacing meets code. They check that the light fixture is grounded. They confirm the main drain is in the proper location. Then the "pressure" part of the inspection is to pressure test the plumbing to 35psi. This all has to be done before the pool deck can be poured.
Hope that helps

[Baltimore Coppper]

Thanks very much for the input. It's set my mind at ease to know that the letter is probably just a technicality. I really have no complaints with the build so far. It has taken somewhat longer than we had anticipated but we're thrilled so far with the product. mr&mrssunshine and Harbor Hopper you both seem to know your stuff! Thanks again......T.K.