| Property Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | John Smith |
| Property address: | 5329 Meadowood drive |
| Inspection date: | 1/31/2011 |
This report is the exclusive property of this inspection company and the client(s) listed in the report title. Use of this report by any unauthorized persons is prohibited.
 | Safety | Poses a risk of injury or death |
 | Major Defect | Correction likely involves a significant expense |
 | Repair/Replace | Recommend repairing or replacing |
 | Repair/Maintain | Recommend repair and/or maintenance |
 | Minor Defect | Correction likely involves only a minor expense |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Comment | For your information |
Click here for a glossary of building construction terms.
Contact your inspector if there are terms that you do not understand, or visit the glossary of construction terms at http://www.reporthost.com/glossary.asp| General information | Return to table of contents |
| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
One or more flights of stairs with more than two risers have no handrail installed. This is a safety hazard. A qualified contractor should install graspable handrails that your hand can completely encircle at stairs where missing, and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 4 |
Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines are in contact with or less than one foot from the structure's exterior. Vegetation can serve as a conduit for wood destroying insects and may retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. Vegetation should be pruned and/or removed as necessary to maintain a one foot clearance between it and the structure's exterior.
 Photo 2 |
| Roof | Return to table of contents |
Debris has accumulated in one or more gutters. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects since gutters may overflow and cause water to come in contact with the structure's exterior or make water accumulate around the foundation. Gutters should be cleaned now and as necessary in the future.
 Photo 3 |
| Garage | Return to table of contents |
One or more wall and/or ceiling surfaces between the attached garage and interior living spaces have gaps, holes, or missing or inadequate surface materials. These surfaces are intended to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces, and to slow the spread of fire from the garage to living spaces. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary so the attached garage wall and ceiling surfaces that adjoin living spaces are tightly sealed and fire rated as per standard building practices. Typically these surfaces require a one-hour fire rating.
 Photo 6 |
Extension cords are being used as permanent wiring in one or more areas. They should only be used for portable equipment on a temporary basis. Using extension cords as permanent wiring poses a fire and shock hazard, and is an indication that wiring is inadequate and should be updated. Extension cords may be undersized. Connections may not be secure, resulting in power fluctuations, damage to equipment, and sparks that could start a fire. Extension cords should be removed as necessary, or a qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, install additional circuits and/or electric receptacles.
 Photo 7 |
Weatherstrip at the sides and/or bottom of the vehicle door is missing. It should be installed where missing to prevent water and vermin intrusion.
 Photo 8 |
| Interior rooms | Return to table of contents |
The light fixture at one or more sets of stairs with living spaces at both ends is controlled by a single switch at one end. This is a safety hazard due to inadequate lighting. The light should be controlled by three-way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs so it can be easily operated on both floors. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 17 |
Screen(s) in one or more windows are torn or have holes in them. Screens should be replaced where necessary.
 Photo 5 |
Minor cracks were found in ceilings in one or more areas. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but the client(s) may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.
 Photo 9 |
| Bathrooms | Return to table of contents |
One or more exhaust fans is inoperable or provides inadequate air flow. Moisture may accumulate as a result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and replace the fan or make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 12 |
Electrical switch for bathroom exhaust fan not found. Recommend qualified electrician to evaluate and repair.
|
Photo 12 |
Caulk is missing or deteriorated along the base of one or more bathtubs, where flooring meets the tub. It should be replaced where deteriorated and/or applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to the floor structure.
 Photo 11 |
Caulk is missing around shower head pipe and trim ring.Recommend caulking area around trim ring to eliminate further water intrusion and possible water damage.
 Photo 10 |
| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
Vinyl flooring in one or more "wet" areas is damaged and/or deteriorated. The wooden subfloor below may be damaged by water intrusion. A qualified contractor should evaluate and replace or repair the damaged flooring.
 Photo 16 |
Kitchen cabinet pull drawer operation is blocked by stove. Placement of the stove appears to be too close to cabinet. Recommend general contractor to evaluate stove / cabinet arrangement and repair.
 Photo 15 |
| Plumbing and laundry | Return to table of contents |
The inspector was not able to find the water meter. Recommend that the client(s) attempt to find the water meter by consulting with the property owner(s), searching for it themselves, or consulting with the local water municipality. It is especially important to find the meter if no main shut-off valve is found because the meter may be the only way to turn off the water supply in the event of an emergency, such as when a supply pipe bursts.
| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
The air handler's filter(s) are loose or not securely installed. As a result, unfiltered air will flow through the system. The heating/cooling equipment service life and the indoor air quality may be reduced. A qualified contractor should make repairs as necessary, such as repairing or installing guides or retaining devices so filter(s) are securely installed with minimal gaps at edges.
 Photo 20 |
The last service date of this system appears to be more than two years ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. The client(s) should ask the property owner(s) when it was last serviced. If unable to determine the last service date, or if this system was serviced more than two years ago, a qualified heating and cooling contractor should inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed every few years in the future, or as per the contractor's recommendations.
The outdoor air temperature was below 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the inspection. Because of this, the inspector was unable to operate and fully evaluate the cooling system.
| Water heater | Return to table of contents |
The estimated useful life for most water heaters is 8 to 12 years. This water heater appears to be at this age or older and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
 Photo 18 |
| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
Loose electrical wiring in laundry room.Exsisting electrical wiring has become loose from mounting staples over service panel and hanging clothes rack. Recommend qualified electrician to evaluate and repair.
 Photo 21 |
 Photo 23 |
Extension cord used as permanate wiring.Extension cords are for temporary use only and may become defective over time. Recommend removing extension cord and plug appliance into correct gounded electrical outlet
 Photo 14 |
| Basement | Return to table of contents |
One or more joists are damaged due to non-standard or substandard notching and/or hole boring. Standard building practices specify the following limitations for notching and boring joists:
 Photo 19 |
Wire splices are exposed due to not being contained in a covered junction box. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, install securely mounted junction boxes with cover plates where needed to contain wiring splices.
 Photo 22 |
| Attic | Return to table of contents |
One or more sections of wiring that weren't terminated were found. This is a potential safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, cutting the wire to length and terminating the wire with wire nuts in a securely anchored, covered, properly sized junction box.
 Photo 27 |
Some wiring is loose, unsupported, or inadequately supported. Standard building practices require non-metallic sheathed wiring to be trimmed to length, attached to runners or to solid backing with fasteners at intervals of 4-1/2 ft. or less. Fasteners should be installed within 12 inches of all enclosures. A qualified, licensed electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, trim wire to length and/or install staples as needed.
 Photo 26 |
The attic exhaust fan was inoperable during the inspection. Recommend consulting with the property owner(s) as to how it operates and/or having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair if necessary.
 Photo 25 |
Ceiling insulation is missing in some areas. Recommend installing insulation where missing for better energy efficiency.
 Photo 24 |
One or more exhaust fans have no duct and terminate in the attic. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms due to increased moisture levels in the attic from the exhaust air. A qualified contractor should install ducts and vent caps as necessary and as per standard building practices so exhaust air is vented outside. Better building practices call for R8 rated insulation on these ducts.
 Photo 13 |
 Photo 28 |
