FOUR AREAS
Roof: Is the roof intact or are there pieces of missing roofing material? Is the roof structure visible? Is the roof structure damaged? Does the main line of the roof dip or is it straight? Are there areas where the roof sags inward (called "hog bellies by roofers).
Walls: Is the siding intact? Does the siding run level and plumb? Are the door and window openings (relatively) square? Is there visible damage to wall structure? Does the wall bow out?
Floor: Is there visible damage to the floor sills (those giant beams that run the perimeter)? Are the floor joists intact? What is the percentage of damage to floor joists?
Foundation: Are all piers still standing? Are the piers showing obvious damage ie. crumbling mortar and falling bricks? What percentage of piers are still standing?
These are the four important parts of the structure of a house. Looking at a house, walking around it, what do you see?
This is a starting point for community discussion. Look at the house across the street, next door. Take photos of these areas. Record your observations. Post them here or on our forum:
http://forum.preservationsos.org/viewforum.php?f=4
We can get a handle on this if we all are guardians of our own streets.
excellent starting point
1325 Laura: (up for demolition -- hearing next month)
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/sheclown/Laura%20Street/Sweetpetesandshop096.jpg)
Roof has rust issues, but looks intact.
Doesn't appear to have a major swayback -- looks straight.
Siding runs straight, windows and door openings look good with the exception of a window mid wall south side. The only place with wall issues.(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/sheclown/Laura%20Street/Sweetpetesandshop104.jpg)
The above picture shows that the sill is intact on the north wall.
The northeast corner has one issue, this can be replaced -- it has not adversely affected the remaining section of the sill yet.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/sheclown/Laura%20Street/Sweetpetesandshop102.jpg)
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/sheclown/Laura%20Street/Sweetpetesandshop105.jpg)
She's not pretty, but she looks solid.