| Your Certified Home Inspection Report and Analysis | |
| Client(s): | John and Jane Doe |
| Property address: | 10 Anywhere Lane Concord, NH |
| Inspection date: | Friday, March 30, 2002 |
This report is the exclusive property of Certified Home Inspections of NH and the client(s) listed in the report title. 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 |
 | Minor defect | Correction likely involves only a minor expense |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Comment | For your information |
Structural Pest Inspection Concerns
Items of concern relating to the structural pest inspection are shown as follows:
 | 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.) |
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.aspTable of Contents
General information
Exterior
Roof
Garage
Attic
Electric service
Heating and cooling
Plumbing and laundry
Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys
Basement
Well
Bathrooms
Interior rooms
| General information | Return to table of contents |
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
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. No evidence of lead paint was found either on the interior or exterior surfaces. Many interior surfaces have been removed or covered over . For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit these websites:| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
Guardrails are loose and/or wobbly in one or more areas. This is a safety hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as installing new fasteners or hardware, installing additional fasteners and/or installing additional railing components as necessary so they are securely attached.
 Photo 20 This rail was a bit loose and may not provide enough protection against falls
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Flashing is missing from above one or more deck ledger boards. This can cause moisture to accumulate between the ledger board(s) and the structure. Rot may result in this area and cause the ledger board fasteners to fail. The deck may separate from the structure in this event and poses a significant safety hazard. A qualified contractor should install flashing above ledger board(s) where necessary. For more information on installing deck ledger boards visit: http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/decks/deck_4.htm Photo 23 Deck had no flashing visible
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One or more deck ledger boards are nailed to the structure rather than being attached by adequate fasteners. This poses a significant safety hazard since the ledger board(s) may separate from the structure, causing the deck(s) to collapse. A qualified contractor should install lag screws or bolts as per standard building practices to securely attach the ledger board(s) to the structure. For more information on installing deck ledger boards visit: http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/decks/deck_4.htm Photo 11 Deck ledger board not lag bolted to house rim joist. Garage door may need repair/replacement.
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There are no cross braces found under deck. Typically they are placed between the joists approx. every 4 feet to provide lateral stability. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
One or more electric receptacles appear to have no power. Recommend asking the property owner(s) about this. Switches may need to be operated to make some receptacles energized. If necessary, a qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 18 Exterior outlets did not function
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One or more wooden deck support posts are in contact with soil. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. However no damage from wood destroying insects or organisms was found. Standard building practices require that there be at least 6" of space between any wood and the soil below, even if the wood is treated. If possible, soil should be removed or graded so a 6" clearance is maintained. Otherwise recommend installing borate based Impel rods to prevent rot.
 Photo 9 Deck support post sitting in direct contact with ground
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 Photo 19 Deck stairs sitting on soil
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Gaps exist at one or more openings around the exterior, such as those where outside faucets, utility supply pipes penetrate the exterior. Gaps should be sealed as necessary to prevent moisture intrusion and entry by vermin.
 Photo 40 Gaps seen where wiring for barn exits main house
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One or more moderate cracks (1/8 inch to 3/4 inch) were found in the foundation. These may be a structural concern, or an indication that settlement is ongoing. The client(s) should consider hiring qualified contractors and/or engineers as necessary for further evaluation. Such contractors may include: Photo 24 Larger crack in foundation with some old mold evident. No water noted on interior
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Soil is in contact with or less than six inches from siding and/or trim. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Soil should be graded and/or removed as necessary so there are at least six inches of space between the siding and trim and the soil below.
 Photo 61 The only issues noted with the barn is that the siding is very close or in direct contact with soil
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 Photo 62 |
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 25 Tree up against house
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The exterior finish in some areas is failing. A qualified contractor should prep (pressure wash, scrape, sand, prime caulk, etc.) and repaint or restain areas as needed and as per standard building practices.
One or more light fixtures have missing bulbs and could not be fully evaluated. Bulbs may simply need to be installed, or repairs or replacement may be necessary.
| Roof | Return to table of contents |
| Garage | Return to table of contents |
The garage-house door poses a fire risk because it's not fire-rated (metal or solid-core construction). A qualified contractor should replace this door with a fire-rated door.
Cover plate(s) are missing from one or more electric boxes, such as for receptacles, switches and/or junction boxes. They are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire and shock. Cover plates should be installed where missing.
 Photo 50 Dangerous light fixture
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The vehicle door is difficult or unable to open or close. Vehicle doors should open and close smoothly and easily. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
One or more garage vehicle door openers are inoperable. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 49 Garage door opener not plugged in nor could a receptacle near the unit be found
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| Attic | Return to table of contents |
No insulation is installed over the attic access hatch. Recommend installing insulation above hatch for better energy efficiency.
 Photo 30 Large dark areas in attic roof sheathing. Possible mold
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 Photo 31 |
| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
Significant amounts of rust were found in the main service panel. No approved method exists for cleaning contaminants from panel interiors or components such as bus or terminal bars. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair or replace components as necessary.
One or more pointed screws are used to fasten the cover to the main service panel. These types of screws are more likely to come into contact with wiring inside the panel than stock screws from the manufacturer, and can damage wiring insulation. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and/or fire. Long and/or pointed crews should be replaced as necessary with the correct screws, and if necessary by a qualified electrician.
One or more screws are missing from the main service panel cover and should be replaced. Because energized wiring may exist behind the holes with the missing screws, recommend that a qualified, licensed electrician replace these screws, or that care be taken to ensure that the new screws do not come in contact with wiring inside the panel when they are installed. Stock screws from the panel manufacturer should be used, or their equivalent.
 Photo 48 Improper receptacle support. Should be repaired by a qualified electrician.
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| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
The last service date of this system appears to be more than one year ago. The client(s) should ask the property owner(s) 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
 Photo 64 |
Recommend buying oil tank replacement insurance, available from many full-service oil providers. This can cover up to 100% of the replacement costs of an oil tank and usually costs less than a few dollars per month.
| Plumbing and laundry | Return to table of contents |
No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection device is visible for the sump pump electric supply. A qualified electrician should determine if a GFCI protection device (receptacle or circuit breaker) exists for the sump pump and install one if missing to reduce the danger of electric shock.. A sump pump may indicate that water accumulates inside or below the structure. Recommend asking the property owners how often the sump pump operates and for how long at different times of the year. Also, the clients should be aware that the service life of most sump pumps is between five and seven years, and that the pump may need replacing soon depending on its age and how much it operates.
The clothes dryer is equipped with a foil, accordion-type, flexible exhaust duct. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission considers these types of ducts to be unsafe, and a fire hazard. These types of ducts can trap lint and are susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the air flow. This duct should be replaced with a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, and by a qualified contractor if necessary. Most clothes dryer manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. For more information on dryer safety issues, see http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html
 Photo 65 |
| Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys | Return to table of contents |
The furnace chimney has significant horizontal crack/deterioration. Recommend having a qualified chimney service contractor or mason evaluate chimney and repair as necessary. Because of this damage, also recommend that the chimney service contractor perform a Level 2 inspection as per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines.
A significant amount of creosote (1/8 inch or more) is visible in the fireplace flue. A qualified chimney service contractor should inspect, clean, and repair if necessary now and annually in the future.
 Photo 14 Cleanout for chimney for living room flue. Very dirty with creosote
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 Photo 38 Chimney cleanout for furnace. Needs immediate cleaning
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Furnace chimney flue does not have a rainproof cover installed. They prevent the following: Photo 63 |
All solid fuel burning appliances (woodstoves and fireplaces, etc.) should be inspected annually by a qualified chimney service contractor, cleaned and repaired as necessary.
| Basement | Return to table of contents |
One or more notches are cut deeper than 1/6 of the joist depth. This is substandard construction and has damaged the joist(s). A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 66 Rail for garage door opener
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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.
 Photo 41 Exposed wires
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| Well | Return to table of contents |
The water from the well is significantly murky or loaded with sediment. Recommend having a qualified well and/or plumbing contractor evaluate to determine if a filtration system is adequate.
 Photo 47 Tag near water filter. Hasn't been changed since 2005
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Significant amounts of rust or corrosion were found on the pressure tank. It may be nearing the end of its useful life. A qualified plumber or well contractor should evaluate and replace the tank if necessary. The estimated useful life for most steel pressure tanks is 15 to 25 years. Based on information provided to the inspector, or evidence found during the inspection, the pressure tank may be at this age or older and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
 Photo 59 Significant rust on well pressure tank. May need replacement
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The estimated useful life for most well pumps is 15 to 20 years. Based on information provided to the inspector, or evidence found during the inspection, the well pump may be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
 Photo 46 Well pump. Fairly new motor.
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| Bathrooms | Return to table of contents |
One or more wall-mounted electric switches are within reach of shower stalls. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. Recommend having qualified electrician evaluate and move switches as necessary, or having a qualified contractor make modifications as necessary, so wall switches are three feet or more away from shower stalls.
 Photo 34 Switch for fan and light very close to shower
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One or more exhaust fans are noisy or vibrate excessively. A qualified contractor should evaluate and replace the fan(s) or make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 36 Bath fan very noisy
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One or more cabinets and/or drawers are damaged and/or deteriorated. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace cabinets and/or components as necessary.
Countertops are damaged and/or deteriorated in one or more areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace countertops as necessary.
Water stains and/or minor water damage was found in the shelving or cabinet components below the sink. The client(s) should evaluate and consider having repairs made.
 Photo 35 Under bath sink
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| Interior rooms | Return to table of contents |
An insufficient number of smoke alarms are installed. Additional smoke alarms should be installed as necessary so a functioning one exists in each hallway leading to bedrooms, and in each bedroom. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html
Lamp holders or light fixtures with fully or partially exposed bulbs are installed in one or more closets. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire. Flammable stored items may come into contact with hot bulbs, and hot fragments from broken bulbs may fall on combustible materials. Standard building practices require closet lighting to use fluorescent light fixtures, or to use fully enclosed incandescent fixtures. Installing a compact fluorescent lamp in a lamp holder is not an acceptable practice. A qualified electrician should replace closet lights as necessary and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 29 Incandescent bulb in interior closet.
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Squeaking or creaking noises occur when walking on one or more sections of flooring. This is usually caused by substandard construction practices where the subfloor decking is not adequately fastened to the framing below. For example, not enough glue was used and/or nails were used rather than screws. In most cases, this is only an annoyance rather than a structural problem. Various solutions such as Squeeeeek No More and Counter Snap fasteners exist to correct this. Repairs to eliminate the squeaks or creaks may be more or less difficult depending on the floor covering, and the access to the underside of the subfloor. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
Glass in one or more windows is broken. A qualified contractor should replace glass where necessary.
One or more sliding glass doors are damaged and/or deteriorated. A qualified contractor should replace door(s) as necessary.
 Photo 32 2x4 repair to sliding door
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