Website: http://www.reporthost.com/a1qual
Email: a1@charter.net
Phone: (847) 848-6824
21259 W. Arbor Ln 
Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Summary Page

A1 Quality Home Inspections, Inc - Home Inspection Service
Client(s):	Hermann Munster
Property address:	1313 Mockingbird Ln
Inspection date:	10-27-2007

This summary page published on 7/9/2008 8:30:41 AM CDT

Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:

	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
	Comment	For your information

1) General information: - This property has one or more fuel burning appliances, and no carbon monoxide alarms are visible. This is a safety hazard. Recommend installing one or more carbon monoxide alarms as necessary and as per the manufacturer's instructions. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05017.html
9) Garage: - Evidence of "light to moderate" rodent infestation was found in one or more areas of the garage attic. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines this as less than 20 feces per square foot. Rodent infestation may be a safety hazard due to the risk of contracting Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). HPS is a rare (only 20-50 cases per year in the United states) but deadly (40% mortality rate) disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. For example, from sweeping up rodent droppings.

Recommend following guidelines in the CDC's Clean Up, Trap Up, Seal Up article for eradicating rodents, cleaning up their waste and nesting materials, and preventing future infestations. While Hanta virus is believed to survive less than one week in droppings and urine, specific precautions should be taken during clean up. The client(s) may wish to consult with a qualified, licensed pest control operator for eliminating the infestation. A qualified licensed abatement contractor or industrial hygenist could be contacted for clean up. If the infestation was minimal, clean up of rodent waste and nesting materials in non-living spaces (crawl spaces and attics) may not be necessary, or may be performed for aesthetic reasons only (odor and appearance).
10) Garage: - No infrared "photo eye" devices are installed for the vehicle door's electric door opener. They've been required on all vehicle door openers since 1993 and improve safety by triggering the vehicle door's auto-reverse feature without need for the door to come in contact with the object, person or animal that's preventing it from closing. Recommend considering having a qualified contractor install these devices for improved safety. For more information on garage door safety issues, visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/523.html or http://www.ohdstl.com/safety.html
13) Attic: - Evidence of "heavy" rodent infestation was found in one or more areas. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines this as more than 20 feces per square foot. Rodent infestation may be a safety hazard due to the risk of contracting Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). HPS is a rare (only 20-50 cases per year in the United states) but deadly (40% mortality rate) disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. For example, from sweeping up rodent droppings.

Because this infestation is "heavy", recommend that the clients consult with a qualified pest control operator for extermination services. Also recommend consulting with a qualified, licensed abatement contractor or industrial hygenist for clean up of rodent waste and nesting materials. For more information on eradication, clean up and prevention of rodent infestations, read the CDC's Clean Up, Trap Up, Seal Up article.

The rodent droppings found were immediately above this ceiling stain (underneath the attic insulation - stain is immediately adjacent to 2nd floor hallway attic access hatch.
14) Attic: - One or more hornet, bee and/or wasp nests were found. These can pose a safety hazard. Nest(s) should be removed as necessary.
16) Electric service: - Home has a lightning protection system installed. the connector for the rear rain gutter was disconnected and should be reconnected.
17) Water heater: - The estimated useful life for most water heaters is 8 to 12 years. This water heater appears to be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
18) Heating and cooling: - The estimated useful life for air conditioning compressors is 8 to 15 years. The outside Trane unit appears to be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
25) Exterior: - The driveway has a significant "hump" / "trip hazard". Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace driveway sections as necessary to eliminate trip hazards.
26) Exterior: - Deck boards are significantly deteriorated. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. See also photos 25 and 27
27) Exterior: - Rot was found in both deck stair treads. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary, replacing all rotten wood.
28) Exterior: - Rear Basement window well cover is broken. Recommend replacement