Summary Page
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Full General Home Inspection and Structural Pest Inspection WA State Dept. Agriculture ICN# XXXXXXXXXX | |
| Client(s): | XXXXXXXX XXXX |
| Property address: | XXX XX XXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXX, WA |
| Inspection date: | XXXXXXXXX XXXXX, 2007 |
Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
 | Safety | Poses a risk of injury or death |
 | Repair/Replace | Recommend repairing or replacing |
 | Repair/Maintain | Recommend repair and/or maintenance |
 | Minor defect | Correction only involves a minor expense |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Comment | For your information |
 | WDO/WDI Infestation | Evidence of infestation of wood destroying insects or organisms (Live or dead insect bodies, fungal growth, etc.) |
 | WDO/WDI Damage | Damage caused by wood destroying insects or organisms (Rot, carpenter ant galleries, etc.) |
 | WDO/WDI Conducive conditions | Conditions conducive for wood destroying insects or organisms (Wood-soil contact, shrubs in contact with siding, roof or plumbing leaks, etc.) |
- Caulk was deteriorated, substandard at siding-trim junctions. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary. For more information, visit:
- Scrap wood and cardboard was found in the crawl space. All cellulose-based debris or stored items should be removed to avoid attracting wood destroying insects.
- Fasteners at both skylights were missing and loose. Leaks may occur as a result, or skylights may come off in very high winds. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
- Extensions such as splashblocks or drain pipes for some downspouts were missing (west side). Water may accumulate around the building foundation as a result. A qualified person should evaluate and repair, replace or install as necessary
- Some downspouts were missing. Water may accumulate around the building foundation as a result. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
- Several (5-10) shingles were damaged or deteriorated in various areas and should be replaced by a qualified contractor. For example, on the north side at the east end.
- The ceiling insulation in the attic was missing from skylight chases. This may result in increased heating or cooling costs due to decreased energy efficiency. A qualified person should repair, replace or install insulation as necessary. For more information, visit:
- When the satellite dishes are removed, permanent, professional repairs should be made so leaks don't occur. For example, by replacing shingles that have holes from fasteners in them.
- Based on the age of this structure and the appearance of existing smoke alarms, the alarms may be older than 10 years old. According to National Fire Protection Association, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Unless you know that the smoke alarms are new, replacing them when moving into a new residence is also recommended by NFPA. For more information, visit this article: NFPA urges replacing home smoke alarms after 10 years.
- This property had one or more fuel burning appliances and/or an attached garage, and no carbon monoxide detectors were visible. This is a safety hazard. Recommend installing one or more carbon monoxide detectors as necessary and as per the manufacturer's instructions. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05017.html
- Some light fixtures were inoperable. Recommend further evaluation by replacing bulb(s) and/or consulting with the property owner. Repairs or replacement of the light fixture(s) by a qualified electrician may be necessary.
- Gas was determined to be leaking at supply piping and/or connections inside the furnace based on gas odors and gas detector readings. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of explosion. A qualified contractor and/or the gas utility company should evaluate and repair immediately.
- A flexible gas supply connector was routed through the furnace's metal cabinet. Standard building practices require that solid iron pipe be used where gas supply lines are routed through holes in metal cabinets. Continued vibration from this equipment may cause the edge of the metal cabinet to wear through the flexible connector, resulting in gas leaks. This is a safety hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs and/or modifications as necessary.
- Outside faucets were missing backflow prevention devices. These devices reduce the likelihood of polluted or contaminated water entering the potable water supply. This condition can occur when an outside faucet is left in the "on" position with a hose connected and the sprayer head turned off. When pressure in the system fluctuates, water can be drawn back into the water supply pipes from the building. If a chemical sprayer is being used with the hose, those chemicals can enter the water supply pipes.
- The label on the water heater indicated that its intended fuel type was LP (Propane) rather than natural gas, which is the actual fuel type. Also, the burned sounded excessively noisy. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
- The hot water temperature was greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of scalding. The thermostat should be adjusted so the water temperature doesn't exceed 120 degrees. For more information on scalding dangers, visit:
- The last service date of this system appeared to be more than one year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. The client should ask the property owner when it was last serviced. If unable to determine the last service date, or if this system was serviced more than one year ago, a qualified heating and cooling contractor should inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary. For safety reasons, and because this system is fueled by gas or oil, this servicing should be performed annually in the future. For more information visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05017.html
- The air filters were dirty. A qualified person should replace or wash filter(s) as necessary. Filters should be checked monthly and maintained as necessary in the future.
- A "direct vent" type gas vent at location #A posed a safety hazard because it was too close to a flammable surface. Standard building practices require the following clearances for "direct vent" terminations:
- The dishwasher drain line was not configured with a "high loop" or "air gap". A high loop is created by routing the drain line up to the bottom surface of the counter top above, and securely fastening it to that surface. It is meant to prevent water from siphoning out of the dishwasher, and to prevent water from the sink drain or food disposal from entering the dishwasher. Some dishwashers have a built-in high loop where one is not required to be configured in the drain line. The client should try to determine if a high loop is required for this brand and model of dishwasher (review installation instructions, etc.). If one is required, or it cannot be determined if one is not required, then a qualified contractor should install a high loop as per standard building practices.
- The oven door was missing and should be replaced.
- The clothes washer was installed over a finished living space and had no catch pan or drain installed. These are not commonly installed, but they are recommended to prevent water damage to finished interior spaces below if or when the washing machine leaks, overflows or is drained. Recommend having a qualified contractor install both a catch pan and drain.
- One or more interior doors have a keyed lockset or deadbolt installed (master bedroom). This is a safety hazard for small children in the event that they lock themselves in the room, do not know how to unlock the door, and the key is not available. Keyed locksets and/or deadbolts should be replaced as necessary with "privacy" locksets that don't require a key.
- One or more exterior doors wouldn't latch (south garage entry). A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
- One or more interior doors were damaged. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.