concrete or wood frame 2nd story (appointed, house, neighborhood)

[talascha]

Is there a way for me to check if the second story of a home is concrete block or wood frame? An inspector said my home is 50/50 concrete block/wood frame but he never inspected the inside of the home or attic. The neighbors say all homes in the neighborhood are concrete block and built better than the building codes. How do I check? The inspector won't come back out without me paying again - even though he didn't thoroughly inspect the first time. But that's another issue to deal with.

[firemed]

Originally Posted by talascha

Is there a way for me to check if the second story of a home is concrete block or wood frame? An inspector said my home is 50/50 concrete block/wood frame but he never inspected the inside of the home or attic. The neighbors say all homes in the neighborhood are concrete block and built better than the building codes. How do I check? The inspector won't come back out without me paying again - even though he didn't thoroughly inspect the first time. But that's another issue to deal with.

Look at the windows, With block the windows will sit in about 4"looking at them from the outside of the home, With wood frame the windows will sit almost flush.

[FLBob]

Firemed is correct, that with a second story of 2x4 construction the depth of the windows is usually a give-a-way. If however the second story construction was 2x6 then the depth is less obvious.
You could check using a 5" finishing nail. If it's block then the nail will hit block and you will know.

[LewLew]

I don't think there are many 2 story homes that are completely block. Most usual are the 50/50 homes. It's cheaper construction, and less likelihood for structural issues with the integrity of the home.

There is nothing wrong with having a 2 story in FL with upper portion being frame.

[charles rosa]

Hi, can anybody help me ? I'm building a 2 story 50/50 home with only a 24 x 23 rectangle structure and no rooms to maximize my space but I need a basic set of blue prints to use as a reference guide so that I can know what is code. The structure is 9' high walls on the 1st floor and 9' high on the second floor. Please help me by sending any usefull tips to my email address at [email]Charles-rosa@hotmail.com[/email] ( This will be greatly appreciated ). No information will be to little to help thanks a Million. By the way when I say 50/50 I mean 1st floor made of Block and 2nd floor of wood 2 x4 frame. Also can an exterior wall be made of 2 x 4's or is it code to go with 2 x 6's ?

[Ruby24]

Originally Posted by talascha

Is there a way for me to check if the second story of a home is concrete block or wood frame? An inspector said my home is 50/50 concrete block/wood frame but he never inspected the inside of the home or attic. The neighbors say all homes in the neighborhood are concrete block and built better than the building codes. How do I check? The inspector won't come back out without me paying again - even though he didn't thoroughly inspect the first time. But that's another issue to deal with.

What do you mean your inspector never went inside your house?

Did you pay for a complete home inspectiion?

Was he a private inspector or working for a government agency?

I sure hope you didn't pay too much. Then again, if you just hired the cheapest person out there and didn't check his experience or credentials you may have gotten what you paid for.

I've hired people to do work in my cape house without doing my research first and was very disappointed.
I suggest if the inspector won't come back you hire someone else.
A proper home inspection is very important.


.

[hiknapster]

How the heck are you suppose to negotiate if your inspector, whom you paid, did not go in the house?

[tjstrain]

get a ladder and a hammer. tap on the wall below, sounds like a rock, solid thud. Tap on the second floor wall maybe put a thin rubber pad against it first so not to mar the finish, bang on that wall, sounds the same? or does it sound hollow? Does the hammer bounce back (wood frame) or kinda just stop after hitting the wall (cement block).

[tjstrain]

Originally Posted by LewLew

I don't think there are many 2 story homes that are completely block. Most usual are the 50/50 homes. It's cheaper construction, and less likelihood for structural issues with the integrity of the home.

There is nothing wrong with having a 2 story in FL with upper portion being frame.

Al of the homes being built on the beach are solid block all the way to the top. It's been that way for a while. It might be code for that area.???

[bwssunset]

Is a 50/50 home, concrete block stucco 1st floor, 2x4 wood frame with stucco second floor considered a CBS constructed home as for florida building code and a building permit, or should the building permit state 50/50. Should the builder and or realtor state 50/50 when advertising a 50/50 home ? Thanks for any replies !