Alltell Home Inspection Website: http://www.4Alltell.com Email: 4Alltell@cox.net Phone: (225) 806-7572 FAX: (225) 664-8280 1004 N. River Rd  Denham Springs, La. 70726 Inspector: James Bohac

Summary Page

Home Inspection Report
Client(s):	John Smith
Property address:	123 somewhere Any where usa
Inspection date:	02/01/2004

This summary page published on 9/12/2008 10:10:10 AM CDT

1) Exterior: Repair/Replace - This property was clad with composition wood fiber siding. Many brands of this type of siding by different manufacturers are known to deteriorate and/or fail prematurely due to moisture penetration. Failure is typically visible in the form of swelling, cracking and delamination, especially at the bottom edges. This type of damage was found at several places.
2) Exterior: Repair/Replace - Loose siding was found on the back side of the chimney chase from the roof. Recommend refastening siding and caulking to prevent future moisture damage.
3) Exterior: Repair/Replace - Several exterior light fixtures appear to be inoperable. Recommend replacing bulbs where necessary. If lights still don't work then recommend having a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as necessary.
4) Exterior: Repair/Maintain - Vegetation (trees, shrubs and vines) are in contact with the structure's exterior. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Vegetation can serve as a conduit for insects and may retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. Recommend pruning or removing vegetation as necessary so there's at least a one foot gap between all vegetation and the structure's exterior.
5) Exterior: Repair/Maintain - One or more downspouts are loose or detached. Recommend repairing these downspouts where necessary.
7) Detached garage or carport: Repair/Replace - The power gable vent fan does not come on. The motor is seized.
8) Roof: Repair/Maintain - Recommend cleaning gutters.
9) Roof: Minor Defect - Algae growth was found on the shingles. This is typical in shady areas and does not affect the life of the shingles.
10) Electric service: Safety - Smoke detectors are in disrepair or missing. Recommend replacing smoke detectors every 10 years and installing new smoke detectors so a functioning one is in each hallway and bedroom. For more information on smoke detectors, please review the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Document #5077 Test All Smoke Alarms (Detectors) and Annually Replace Batteries
Develop and Rehearse an Escape Plan.
11) Water heater: Monitor - Water heater is installed over finished living space and has a catch pan and drain installed. Recommend monitoring this pan for moisture due to the age of the unit.
13) Heating and air conditioning: Repair/Maintain - The outside condensing coils are dirty. Recommend having coils cleaned by a licensed heating and air contractor to increase efficiency.
14) Heating and air conditioning: Repair/Maintain - Return air filters are dirty, recommend replacing filters monthly.
15) Heating and air conditioning: Repair/Maintain - Significant amounts of debris, dirt and/or dust are visible at several sections of supply and return air ducts. This can be a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems. The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) recommends considering having ducts professionally cleaned when "Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers". At a minimum, the visible debris should be thoroughly cleaned. The client may wish to have a qualified service provider professionally clean the ducts. For more information on duct cleaning in relation to indoor air quality, visit: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html
16) Heating and air conditioning: Evaluate - Supply air from the air conditioning system was not cool enough. It should be 14 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than at the return duct or current room temperature. This may be caused by such as refrigerant loss, dirty coils, a failing compressor, an oversized fan, or a deficient return air system. A qualified heating and cooling contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
17) Plumbing: Repair/Maintain - The cold water valve for the washing machine does not shut off completely. Recommend consulting a licensed plumber for repairs.
18) Plumbing: Repair/Maintain - The insulation covering the exterior water supply line has corroded. Recommend replacing with new insulation to prevent water line from freezing in cold weather.
19) Plumbing: Monitor - Plumbing supply lines appear to be made of Polybutylene. Polybutylene is a grey plastic material used extensively during the 1980s and 1990s that has proven itself to be more prone to leakage than other types of supply piping systems like copper.
20) Fireplace: Safety - Significant creosote buildup in fireplace chimney. Recommend having a chimney sweep clean chimney.
21) Fireplace: Repair/Replace - One or more refractory panels (the 1" thick fireproof panels lining the fireplace walls) are cracked and need repairing. Recommend patching cracks with a high temperature resistant refractory mortar or sealant available at hardware stores. Recommend monitoring the refractory panels in the future. This type of repair will likely need repeating. Recommend replacing refractory panels if cracks exceed 1/4" in width, if surface pitting becomes extensive and deeper than 3/16", or if any piece of the refractory larger than 2"(51 mm) in radius and 3/16" deep becomes dislodged.
22) Interior rooms: Safety, Repair/Replace - A damaged receptacle cover was found in the first bed room. Recommend replacing cover.
23) Interior rooms: Safety, Repair/Maintain - Several receptacles were found to be loose at the wall throughout the home. Recommend tightening all loose receptacles.
24) Interior rooms: Repair/Replace - The kitchen faucet leaks at the base of faucet. Contact a licensed plumber to make proper repairs.
25) Interior rooms: Repair/Replace - Window broken at patio. Recommend replacing glass.
26) Interior rooms: Repair/Maintain - The dishwasher did not turn on when tested. Recommend having unit serviced by a licensed technician.
27) Interior rooms: Repair/Maintain - The hot water valve at the sink in the hall bathroom in loose.
28) Interior rooms: Repair/Maintain - The toilet in the master bath does not flush properly. The handle must be held down to flush.
29) Interior rooms: Repair/Maintain - Door doesn't latch in the first bedroom. Recommend adjusting latch plate or lockset mechanism so door latches.
30) Interior rooms: Maintain, Monitor - Minor cracks were found at the ceiling in the living room. These cracks are due to typical settlement at the seams often due to poor finishing during construction.
36) Attic: Repair/Replace - A cracked support purlin was found in the attic above the stairs.
37) Attic: Repair/Replace - A cracked valley rafter was found at the right side of the attic. Additional wood should be added along side of the rafter ( sistered ) to strengthen the cracked area. Recommend contacting a licensed contractor for repairs.
38) Attic: Repair/Maintain - Insulation is missing from the ceiling above the kitchen ceiling. Recommend installing insulation to increase energy efficiency.
39) Attic: Repair/Maintain - Pull-down stairs are installed for the attic access. No insulation is installed above the stairs. To reduce air leakage and increase energy efficiency, recommend installing insulation between steps or adding a insulated hatch cover. An example of one can be seen at http://www.batticdoor.com/.

Interior air leaking into the attic results in heating and cooling losses, increased energy costs, and a possible increase in moisture levels in the attic due condensation forming on the underside of the roof sheathing during cold weather.
40) Attic: Maintain - Insulation in attic is substantially less than an R30 rating. Recommend installing additional insulation to increase energy efficiency. Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. A minimum of R30 at the ceiling is recommended for our climate.