| Classic Home Inspection Services LLC Property Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | Mr. and Ms. Smith |
| Property address: | Upstate NY |
| Inspection date: | 4/26/2004 |
This report is the exclusive property of Classic Home Inspection Services LLC and Mr. and Ms. Smith. 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 |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Monitor | Recommend monitoring in the future |
 | 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 |
Structures built prior to 1979 may contain lead-based paint and/or asbestos in various building materials such as insulation, siding, and/or floor and ceiling tiles. Both lead and asbestos are known health hazards. Evaluating for the presence of lead and/or asbestos is not included in this inspection. The client(s) should consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygienists, professional labs and/or abatement contractors for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit these websites:| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
the south steps do not have consistent rise. it is recommended that stair rise not vary more than 3/8".
 Photo 1 |
 Photo 2 |
The rear door is accessed via a wooden ramp. The ramp is showing signs of deterioration. The plywood deck is weak in places. Recommend replacement.
 Photo 38 |
Sidewalks and/or patios have significant cracks and/or deterioration in one or more areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace sidewalk and/or patio sections as necessary.
Gutter is missing on south side . This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. A qualified contractor should install gutters and downspouts where missing. Also, extensions such as splashblocks or tie-ins to underground drain lines should be installed as necessary to carry rain water away from the house.
One or more unlined wooden planter boxes are near the side of the house. Wood soil contact exists in such boxes and is a conducive condition for wood-destroying insects and organisms. Recommend either removing them, or modifying them so that no wood-soil contact exists (install plastic or metal liners), and so that they are well drained.
The perimeter grading slopes toward the structure at north west corner. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms. Wet soil may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. Recommend grading soil so it slopes down and away from the structure with a slope of at least 5% (10% or better is optimal) for at least 6 feet.
 Photo 10 |
soffit vent screens are present but poorly installed (Backward and mismatched). Recommend replacement.
 Photo 4 |
 Photo 5 vent installed backwards
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The roof structure over right south entry is poorly constructed. Roof has minimal slope and framing is marginal at best.
railing on south entry is loose.
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 6 |
Wooden timbers in one or more retaining walls have minor amounts of rot and/or damage by wood destroying insects. The client(s) should monitor such walls in the future for continued rotting and/or damage. Repairs and/or replacement by a qualified contractor may be necessary in the future.
 Photo 13 |
 Photo 11 cement cap
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| Roof | Return to table of contents |
The chimney flashing at some point has failed as evidenced by damage to gypsum wall board in ceiling next to chimney. A qualified roofing contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 30 |
| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
The panel is Pushmatic type breaker. The panel is comprised of two 100 amp buses each with a 100amp main breaker. Many double taps were visible inside the panel. wires with excess insulation in panel. Recommend a qualified Electrician evaluate panel.
 Photo 21 main panel Yellow arrow, sub panel Red arrow.
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 Photo 22 100 amp sub panel
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 Photo 24 main panel
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The service entrance wires have a loose point of attachment. This is a potential safety hazard. A qualified contractor or electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 12 |
One or more over current protection devices (circuit breakers or fuses) are "double tapped", where 2 or more wires are clamped in a terminal designed for only one wire. This is a safety hazard since the bolt or screw may tighten securely against one wire, but leave others loose. Arcing, sparks and fires may result. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
| 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.water stains are evident at base of heater. Prv valve is not straight and has a change in direction This is not a standard installation.. The electrical wire to the heater is 12 wire and might be sub standard. Recommend evaluation by qualified electrician Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
 Photo 14 |
 Photo 16 Main cleanout East wall basement
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 Photo 18 corrosion
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Water stains were found below the water heater. This may be a sign that the water heater is failing. A qualified plumbing contractor should evaluate and replace or repair the water heater if necessary.
Corrosion was found on fittings and/or water supply lines for the water heater. Leaks may exist. A qualified plumbing contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
No water supply shut-off valve is visible for the water heater. A shut-off valve allows the supply to the water heater to be turned off when the water heater needs repair or replacement, while allowing the remainder of the plumbing system to be operable (toilets, sinks, etc.). Recommend having a qualified, licensed plumbing contractor determine if a water supply shut-off valve exists, and install one if it is missing.
| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
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.
 Photo 8 |
| Plumbing and laundry | Return to table of contents |
Copper water supply pipes in homes built prior to 1986 may be joined with solder that contains lead. Lead is a known health hazard, especially for children. Laws were passed in 1985 prohibiting the use of lead in solder, but prior to that solder normally contained about 50 percent lead. The client(s) should be aware of this, especially if children will be living in this structure. Evaluating for the presence of lead in this structure is not included in this inspection. The client(s) should consider having a qualified lab test for lead, and if necessary take steps to reduce or remove lead from the water supply. Various solutions such as these may be advised:
The inspector was unable to test the sump pump (no source of water.). The sump pump was not fully evaluated.
 Photo 15 |
| Fireplace and chimney | Return to table of contents |
The masonry chimney's mortar is deteriorated and should be repaired to prevent further, significant deterioration, as evidenced by mortar on rood surface. Recommend having a qualified chimney service contractor or mason evaluate chimney and repair as necessary.
 Photo 9 |
fireplace hearth measures 14 1/2" and is less than 18 inches deep. This is a fire hazard. At a minimum, non-combustible hearth pad(s) should be installed. Ideally the hearth(s) should be modified as necessary or installed by a qualified contractor so they are at least 18" deep.
 Photo 32 |
the chimney flue does not have a screened cover installed. Screened covers prevent the following:
flue damper is not visible due to insulation blocking damper.
clean out is inaccessible.
 Photo 26 |
| Basement | Return to table of contents |
Evidence of prior water intrusion was found in one or more sections of the basement. For example, water stains and/or efflorescence on the foundation or floor, water stains at bases of support posts, etc. Accumulated water is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms and should not be present in the basement. The client(s) should review any disclosure statements available and ask the property owner(s) about past accumulation of water in the basement. The basement should be monitored in the future for accumulated water, especially after heavy and/or prolonged periods of rain. If water is found to accumulate, a qualified contractor who specializes in drainage issues should evaluate and repair as necessary. Typical repairs for preventing water from accumulating in the basement include:
 Photo 17 Evidence of current moisture intrusion
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 Photo 20 |
 Photo 23 evidence of previous water intrusion.
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 Photo 25 evidence of efflorescence and mold like substance
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 Photo 19 Unsecured wireing
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| Bathrooms | Return to table of contents |
Window was stuck open. Did not force crank.
 Photo 37 |
9" tile present has been know to contain asbestos. recommend evaluation by a qualified individual.
 Photo 31 |
 Photo 27 |
 Photo 28 |
 Photo 29 |
 Photo 33 |
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 Photo 35 |
 Photo 36 |
| Interior rooms | Return to table of contents |
Carpeting in one or more rooms is soiled and/or stained. Recommend having carpeting professionally cleaned as necessary.
 Photo 3 |
 Photo 7 |
 Photo 39 |
| Out Building 1 | Return to table of contents |
One of the Vertical beams has been cut out and poorly reconstructed. Mortise is coming separated and has a board nailed on to remedy separation. This is a major structural defect and should be repaired.
 Photo 45 |
rafters are mortise and tenon and pegged. The underneath of the roof reveals that plywood was added when last roofed. The interior Stairs railings are not built to todays standard and would be considered unsafe by todays standards. Recommend evaluation by a qualified individual.
 Photo 46 |
 Photo 47 plywood
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entry door sill is deteriorated and needs replacement. Suggest having a qualified individual evaluate sill of structure.
 Photo 44 |
Under ground Electrical service is 100 amp..Panel is a Westinghouse There is a sub panel with a timer that services a fountain and exterior lights. Recommend a Qualified Electrician evaluate the this distribution system.
 Photo 48 |
 Photo 49 |
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 Photo 51 |
 Photo 40 |
 Photo 41 |
 Photo 42 |
 Photo 43 Siding is showing signs of deterioration.
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| Out Building 2 | Return to table of contents |
The framing of the second floor is substandard and should be evaluated by a qualified individual.
 Photo 55 substandard framing
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 Photo 54 Presence of moisture as evidenced by mold like substance.
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 Photo 58 animal damage
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