Website: http://www.cambridgehomeinspection.com
Email: mikedaws@frontiernet.net
Phone: (845) 227-4790 · (845) 702-8414
FAX: (845) 227-2386
24 Cambridge Court 
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Inspector: Michael Dawson

Summary Page

Sample Home Inspection Report
Client(s):	A. Client
Property address:	123 Somewhere'n Dutchess Cty, NY
Inspection date:	Monday, October 23, 2006

This summary page published on 12/4/2006 10:08:23 PM EST

	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
	Monitor	Recommend monitoring in the future
	Comment	For your information

1) Exterior: - Driveway retaining wall leaning toward the driveway. Recommend monitoring.
2) Exterior: - Walking path has steps of 6'x6" lumber and pavers. lumber has deteriorated and it is a trip hazard. Recommend a qualified contractor replace with new materials.
3) Exterior: -
4) Exterior: - The front steps have a cavity (missing concrete) on the right side. Recommend this hole be filled with a cement to seal to prevent further deterioration.
5) Exterior: - Downspout in front of house to the left of the steps should have extension on leader to prevent water from backing up near the house.
6) Exterior: - Aluminum fascia section is missing in front of house. Unprotected wood exposed to the weather will rot over time and potentially lead to other problems. Recommend having a qualified contractor replace.
7) Exterior: - One or more minor cracks (1/8 inch or less) were found in the foundation. These don't appear to be a structural concern, but recommend sealing them to prevent water infiltration and monitoring them in the future. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including:

Epoxy sealants (both a waterproof and structural repair). See http://www.mountaingrout.com/ for examples of these products.
8) Exterior: - Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines are in contact with or less than one foot from the structure 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.
9) Exterior: - Driveway in good condition. No cracks or holes. Recommend resealing asphalt driveway.
10) Roof: - Trees and/or shrubs are in contact with or are close to the roof edge(s) in one or more areas. Damage to the roof may result, especially during high winds. Vegetation can also act as a conduit for wood destroying insects. Vegetation should be pruned back and/or removed as necessary to prevent damage and infestation by wood destroying insects.
11) Roof: - Trees are overhanging roof and are within 10 feet of roof vertically. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms since organic debris such as leaves or needles are more likely to accumulate on the roof surface. Accumulated debris may cause water to enter gaps in the roof surface and leak into attic and/or interior spaces. Trees should be pruned so they are at least 10 feet above roof, or don't overhang the roof.
12) Garage: - The auto-reverse mechanism on the vehicle door opener is inoperable or requires too much force to activate. This is a safety hazard, especially for small children. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. 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) Garage: - Non-metallic sheathed wiring is routed in one or more areas so it is subject to damage, such as on wall or ceiling surfaces. The insulation can be damaged by objects coming in contact with it and/or it being repeatedly moved. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, rewire using conduit, or re-routing through wall cavities.
14) Garage: - The garage-house door isn't equipped with an automatic closing device such as sprung hinges. This door should close and latch automatically to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces and/or to slow the spread of fire from the garage to living spaces. A qualified contractor should install automatic closing device(s) as necessary, and as per standard building practices, so this door closes and latches automatically.
15) Garage: - Garage ceiling is low. Ladder support attached to ceiling hangs down lower below 6' from floor creating a safety hazard for one hitting head into. Recommend removing.
18) Water heater: - The estimated useful life for most water heaters is 8 to 12 years. This water heater was manufactured in 6/1994 and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
20) Plumbing: - The clothes dryer exhaust duct appears to need cleaning. Significant amounts of lint build up was found. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire from decreased air flow. This duct should be cleaned now and annually, or more often if necessary in the future. Some chimney sweeps or heating/cooling duct cleaners perform this service. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html or http://chimneykeepers.com/dryerclean.html
22) Crawl space: - Extension cord to light fixture (trouble light) is lying on floor. This is an electrocution safety hazard in case of flooding. Raise extension cord off of floor.
24) Basement: - Ceiling shows signs of previous water damage that was corrected and repatched.
26) Kitchen: - No GFI circuits in Kitchen area. Recommend a qualified electrician install.
31) Interior rooms: - Living room ceiling has drywall joint crack. Crack is not structural but, should be retaped and plastered.