Ground To Soil Clearance

[Dan/Fla]

Hope you can help me I am brain dead today. I am sure I read it but now can not find it. Ground to dirt clearance on home has to be at least 6" and on out buildings 4". Is this correct, and can you tell me where I can find it so, I will have so if I need to refer to in future.

Thanks

Dan

 

[GN Vann]

A lot of days I feel like I have been "ground to dirt". I think you are asking for ground to floor clearance?

 

[GN Vann]

Handbook 4150.2 Page 3-13 under Crawl Space -- 18 inches minimum under home.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Dan,

I think you might be asking about ground to wood siding??? Last I know of this was when I asked Otis Edwards a few years back and he said it used to be 4" ??? but didn't apply anymore. Wood should not be touching the ground - period. For myself, I would call for at least 2" off ground and I do like the old 4" off ground. Just seems a lot safer. Now, it's up to you and how much you want to CYA. Is this what you were looking for? Anyone else here know what that clearance is supposed to be???

 

[Larry Lyke]

4" is desirable.

8" is better.

BUT, there's no requirement per se, anymore.

If this is an FHA and wood on the bottom edge of the building is rotted, etc., call for its repair-replacement; or otherwise repaired, then primed and painted (if that's appropriate).

 

[Dan/Fla]

Thanks

I almost sure I saw it way back when before the changed the VC sheet, But I will go with the no guidelines, Yes I was talking about ouside walls where the shurbs near the home had cause the clearance between wood siding and ground to get closer together. Home has about 6" in most areas, but about 15' of home is less than 3" clearance.

Thanks

Dan

 

[bradellis]

Pam and Larry are correct. There is no longer a specified distance- only prohibition of wood touching the ground.

However, if this is a frame structure, just call for the termite inspection and be done with it. Point out that wood is touching the ground if it is.

Brad

 

[Doug Walters]

Dan,

Ineligibility due to wood touching the ground or within eight inches of the ground is an old FHA guideline that was superseded by the 4150.2. Larry Ls' explanation is concise and correct. Brad's advice, about pointing out that wood is touching the ground, if it is, is also prudent.

Just note VC5-A with a "yes" as you always do (condo unit on the second floor or higher is the exception). If there are any readily observable deficiencies, such as siding deterioration from wicking, waffering or delamination; annotate VC5-B with a "yes" and provide a description on page 4 of 4 of the VC form and also on Homebuyer Summary. If repairs are necessary, don't forget to provide an estimated repair cost.

Doug

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

Ok guys,

How about some thoughts on this wood touching the ground stuff or the morons that grade mulch way up and over the siding. Or elevated concrete patios over the level of the sill plates which puddle rain water next to the frame wall of the home???

This is a good FHA topic.

I say if wood is touching the ground (sill plates or siding) that it is a Defective Construction Condition which requires remediation. There is no way to protect the home from termites or future wet rot decay so the home needs to be regraded???????by Ben's standards anyway.

What say thee.

Ben

 

[Farm Gal]

Ben:
Yes. (And boy did the realtor squawk)

I personally want to see a minimum of 6" in our central midwest area due to rain. I stick to my guns on this one, particularly with the masonite or other 'cardboard and glue sidings. We seldom get more than that height of snow, it is the bouncing waterdrops that do the damage in this area.

And another war story:
Entire back yard with negative ground slope to full basement: me hubby required regrading, they dug a ditch 10 feet out to redirect water. Then they put 10-12 bags of soil next to (on) the wood siding, then they... and it went on and on...

After about 10 or 12 finals (we didn't charge the homeowner for all of them cause it was entirely realtor driven ...) the homeowner wound up getting a new HVAC courtesy of the lender: who waived that called for inspection, AND the properly regraded back yard required in the original report.