Soft Spot under carpet

[Rusty Keith]

Please advise me. I have a couple of inspections coming up where the client has mentioned a "soft spot" under the carpet in an upstairs room. How do you inspect that, pull up carpet (we state we don't do that)?
Thanks
Rusty

[ccbrands1]

i would arange to have the owners pull the carpet back.

if they have nothing to hide, this shouldnt be a big deal.
take adequate pics

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Depends too on where the carpet is. If in a bathroom (I know, crazy huh, it happens) I would be suspicious of previous leaks and floor damage. If in a bedroom, I would be more curious than the buyers. You need to note it, draw their attention to it more than once in your report ( 3 times or more is good) and advise them to query the owners about it. Like someone said, if nothing to hide than there should be an explanation. I got rid of all our carpeting and we found extra pieces of padding in spots to hide a depression in the slab. That created a soft, lumpy spot that annoyed the stew out of me for years. Sometimes it isn't anything major but do not let it go unreported.

[Gerry Beaumont]

Hi to all,

There appear to be a couple of issues here to think about, firstly is it an engineering/design problem for example overspanned joists? the second thought is that if it is indeed due to moisture, a pin type meter will read through the carpeting.

Regards

Gerry

[gbrasseur]

Also,
What does your client mean in his terminology? "soft spot" to him may be something completely differant to you. i.e. could be floor deflection.

[Chris D. Duphily]

I had this problem 2-3 weeks ago inspecting a finished attic ....here's what I put in my report. along with a picture of my moisture meter at the soft spot.

(attic) floors are uneven throughout both bedrooms, floor appears to have a soft area at the door to the rear bedroom - wall to wall carpeting prevented evaluation of flooring/sub-floors. moisture readings appear to be in acceptable (normal) range. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified, licensed contractor.

[Rusty Keith]

Thanks so much everyone that took time to reply. I really find this forum helpful..yea NACHI.
Rusty