Closer Look Property Inspections Inc

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 likely involves only a minor expense
	Maintain	Recommend ongoing maintenance
	Evaluate	Recommend evaluation by a specialist
	Monitor	Recommend monitoring in the future
	Serviceable	Item or component is in servicable condition
	Comment	For your information

1) Exterior: - One or more outside faucets are 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 house. If a chemical sprayer is being used with the hose, those chemicals can enter the water supply pipes.

Recommend installing backflow prevention devices on all exterior hose bibs where missing. They are available at most home improvement stores and are easily installed. For more information, visit: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_AE079
2) Exterior: - Based on the appearance of the siding and the age of this structure, the exterior siding material may contain asbestos. The client(s) should be aware of this when considering repairs to or replacement of this siding, and consult with qualified testing labs and/or abatement contractors as necessary.The tiles are in good condition and does not appear to pose a health risk. For more information on asbestos in the home, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/453.html
3) 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.
4) Exterior: - 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.
5) Exterior: - Caulk is missing or deteriorated around the windows and doors and should be replaced and/or applied where necessary. For more information on caulking, visit The Ins and Outs of Caulking.
6) Exterior: - Minor cracks were found in the driveway. However they don't appear to be a structural concern and no trip hazards were found. No immediate action is recommended, but the client(s) may wish to have repairs made or have cracked sections replaced for aesthetic reasons.
7) Exterior: - The front steps has missing caulk between the raiser and thread.These areas should be recaulked as needed.
8) Exterior: - Rain water was found to have accumulated on the side of the front steps leading to the backyard. I reccomend in the future to regrade this area or to install a drain. This appears to happen only after very heavy rain and is not a serious concern. However, the side of the steps at the bottom must be caulked to prevent water from seeping under the stairs.
9) Exterior: - Rain water has been found to have accumulated in the backyard where the concrete meets the dirt. I recommend that the dirt be regraded so the water can run and drain into the dirt. Standing water can attract insects. This is a simple fix that can be done any time but will add to your enjoyment of the yard.
11) Roof: - The nails that support the gutters in some areas are loose and need to be renailed to frimly support the gutters.
13) Garage: - A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary so the attached garage wall and ceiling surfaces that adjoin living spaces are tightly sealed and fire rated as per standard building practices. Typically these surfaces require a one-hour fire rating.
14) Garage: - 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. In addition the entrance to the garage and the living space should have a six to twelve inch step to prevent gas fumes from entering into the living area.
16) Attic: - Paper facing on batt insulation is oriented towards open spaces, rather than against interior space surfaces. This occurs when newer, fiberglass batt insulation with paper facing on one side is installed backwards or upside down, or when older batt insulation wrapped on both sides with paper is installed. The paper facing is flammable. Newer insulation usually has a warning label indicating this on the facing.

For newer batt insulation with paper facing on one side only, the paper facing should be oriented towards interior spaces rather than exposed, open spaces. The existing insulation should be reinstalled or replaced.

For older batt insulation with paper facing on both sides, recommend that repairs be made as necessary to eliminate the exposed paper facing.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, and as per standard building practices and the insulation manufacturer's recommendations to eliminate the fire hazard.

Also, the paper facing also acts as a vapor barrier, and if located away from the interior surfaces, can trap moisture from condensation in the cavity between the paper facing and the interior spaces. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects. The inspector was unable to evaluate the structure obscured by the insulation. When repairs are made, the exposed structure should be evaluated for damage by wood destroying insects and/or organisms, and repairs should be made if necessary.
17) Attic: - Stains were visible on the roof rafters in one or more areas. These areas were dry at the time of the inspection. The stains may be caused by a past leak. Recommend asking the property owner(s) about past leaks. The client(s) should monitor these areas in the future, especially after heavy rains, to determine if active leaks exist. If leaks are found, a qualified roofing contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
18) Heating and cooling: - The furnace or boiler may not have an adequate supply of combustion and/or dilution air. This may cause Carbon Monoxide to accumulate and is a safety hazard. A qualified heating and cooling contractor should evaluate and determine if combustion and dilution air supply sources are adequate, and make repairs and/or modifications if necessary. This is simply to ensure that enough air is available in the boiler room for it to function properly.
19) Heating and cooling: - The barometric draft damper on the furnace or boiler flue is defective or not operating correctly. It should swing freely and easily. A qualified heating contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
20) Heating and cooling: - The last service date of this system appears to be more than one year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. 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
21) Heating and cooling: - A small hole was found under the exhaust flue. This should be repaired so that exhaust fumes will not enter the room.
22) Plumbing and laundry: - The clothes dryer is equipped with a vinyl or 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
26) Kitchen: - No "air gap" is installed for the dishwasher drain line. Air gaps are a device meant to prevent water from the sink drain or food disposal from entering the dishwasher. These are required in some municipalities for new construction and when remodeling. The client(s) should consult with a qualified contractor to determine if an air gap should be installed.
28) Interior rooms: - 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
29) Interior rooms: - The wall in the interior are plaster based on the age of the house or it could be drywall which is made with the same material as plaster. One is not better than the other. In either case they are in good condition. The floors are wood, carpet and tiles in various areas. They are also in good condition. The ceilings throughout the house are in good condition.The interior doors are hollow core and in good condition.The 240 volt outlet in the dining room needs to have a new face plate to prevent children from sticking their fingers in and causing an electric shock. The three bedrooms are in good condition. Please be advised that there are no overhead lights. This would have to be installed by a qualified electrician if overhead lights are desired.