| Property Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | Manisha |
| Property address: | 81-33 249 Street Bellerose, NY |
| Inspection date: | Friday, November 20, 2009 |
This report is the exclusive property of this inspection company 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 |
 | Monitor | Recommend monitoring in the future |
 | Comment | For your information |
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.asp| General Information | Return to table of contents |
| Grounds | Return to table of contents |
The asphalt in the driveway slopes toward the house. As a result rain water has pooled around this area. The rain water was also found to have seeped through the foundation walls and has pooled in the basement. Recommend a qualified contractor repair the driveway so that it slopes down and away from the house.
 Photo 4 Pooling water in Drive way
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 Photo 5 Pooling water in Drive way
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 Photo 6 Cracking Tar on Foundation Wall
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 Photo 9 Uneven drive way
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The steps on the side of the house is in need of repair. There was found loose and missing mortar. When ascending and descending the steps, they are loose and movement was noticed. Recommend a qualified mason repair as needed since this is a trip hazard. Photo 10 Repaired Crack on side Steps
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 Photo 23 Side steps need repair (loose)
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| Exterior / Foundation | Return to table of contents |
The front steps has an uneven raiser. Uneven raisers are a trip hazard. A qualified mason should repair the raisers so that they are of equal height.
 Photo 13 Uneven raiser
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Minor cracks or deterioration were found in some sections of the brick veneer in the rear. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as re-pointing mortar to prevent water intrusion and further deterioration in the future.
 Photo 14 Crack on exterior wall needs caulking
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 Photo 15 Crack on exterior wall needs caulking
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 Photo 20 Re-pointing needed on brick veneer
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 Photo 21 Re-pointing needed on brick veneer
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Standing water was found in one section of the basement. Accumulated water is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms and should not be present in the basement. A qualified contractor who specializes in drainage issues should evaluate and repair as necessary. Typical repairs for preventing water from accumulating in basements include: Photo 31 Pooling water in basement from outside
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All the basement windows are in need of replacement due to cracks, and broken glass, and missing windows.
Caulk was missing in many areas. For example, around windows. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary. For more information, visit: Photo 2 Windows Need Caulking
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 Photo 3 Windows Need Caulking
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Some minor cracks (1/8 inch or less) were found in the foundation walls in the rear and sides. 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 hydraulic cement, resilient caulks and epoxy sealants.
Many areas of the basement walls are spalling, meaning they are crumbing in some areas. This condition is usually due to moisture from condensation or a wet foundation wall. I recommend a qualified contractor repair the spalling walls such as resurfacing the walls, and re-grading the perimeter outside so that rain water drains away from the house.
 Photo 34 Basement wall spalling and rock pockets shows signs of moisture
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 Photo 35 Basement wall spalling and rock pockets shows signs of moisture
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| Roof / Attic | Return to table of contents |
All of the downspouts are clogged with debris. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects since gutters may overflow and cause water to come in contact with the building exterior or make water accumulate around the foundation. Downspouts should be cleared now and as necessary in the future. Photo 12 Extension needed on downspout
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 Photo 7 Clogged Downspout
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 Photo 8 Level Grade
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The chimney in some areas has missing mortar and is in need of re-pointing to prevent interior damage to the chimney flue. A qualified contractor should re-point areas as needed.
 Photo 19 Re-pointing needed on chimney
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Kick-out flashing is needed in the front of the house where the exterior wall extends past the lower roof overhang. Recommend a roofer install the kick-out flashing as needed.
 Photo 11 Kick-out Flashing Needed
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Stains were visible on the roof structure in some 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 about past leaks. The client should monitor these areas in the future, especially after heavy rains, to determine if active leaks exist. If leaks are found, a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 28 Wet stains in attic area found
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 Photo 29 Wet stains in attic area found
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Because of the roof configuration, the inspector was unable to traverse the roof and wasn't able to fully evaluate the entire roof. The slop of the roof to great to walk. Viewed from a latter.
At the base of the chimney, counter flashing, and step flashing should be installed. This is so that rain water will not enter around the base of the chimney and cause interior damage. I could not determine if these flashings are installed due to a heavy amount of tar in these areas. Tar is not a replacement for flashings. I recommend a qualified roofer install these flashings if none are present. A roofer should evaluate the tar for cracks that could lead to future leaks.j Photo 16 Flashing needed on chimney
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 Photo 17 Boot flashing needed on plumbing vent
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 Photo 18 Proper flashing needed for wood stove
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| Electric | Return to table of contents |
Panel #A used older style, screw-in fuses. This type of fuse allows anyone to install incorrectly rated fuses, possibly resulting in damage to wiring. Based on the age and/or appearance of the panel(s) using fuses, and/or deterioration of the panels or components inside, recommend having a qualified electrician replace this panel with a modern panel and circuit breakers. If the panel isn't replaced, then a qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. Photo 33 Electrical Upgrade Recommended
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 Photo 32 Ground Clamp rusted needs replacement
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Two-pronged electric receptacles rather than three-pronged, grounded receptacles were installed in areas. They are considered to be unsafe by today's standards and limit the ability to use appliances that require a ground in these rooms. Examples of appliances that require grounded receptacles include: Photo 24 Receptacles need upgrade to 3 prong ground
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No smoke alarms were visible. This is a safety hazard. A qualified electrician should install smoke alarms as per standard building practices (functioning one exists in hallways leading to bedrooms, and in each bedroom, etc.). For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html
GFCI receptacles should be installed in the outside rear. GFCI receptacles are required as a safety device in the event water or moisture enters the receptacle it will shut down preventing an electric shock.
 Photo 22 GFCI needed for exterior receptacles
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The electric service to this property appeared to be rated at substantially less than 200 amps, and may be inadequate for your needs. Recommend consulting with a qualified electrician about upgrading to a 200 amp service.
| Plumbing / Fuel Systems | Return to table of contents |
All the visible pipes were found to be in good condition at the time of the inspection. There were no leaks or any serious concerns observed.
| Water Heater | Return to table of contents |
Based on the capacity of the water heater, the number of bedrooms in this structure and the number of occupants expected to live in this structure, this water heater may be undersized. I recommend consulting with a qualified plumbing contractor or water heater distributor for more information, and may wish to upgrade the size of the water heater.
| Heating | Return to table of contents |
Recommend servicing the boilers heat exchanger in the future for proper functioning, and dangerous fume back-draft.
| Fireplaces / Stoves / Chimneys | Return to table of contents |
Recommend that the wood stove in the living room not be used because the stand is not wide enough and could cause a fire if sparks should ignite the carpet.
Recommend that the interior of the chimney flue be inspected for by a qualified chimney company.
| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
The sink is damaged on the side, you may wish to replace the sink for a better look.
 Photo 27 Kitchen sink needs replacement
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| Bathrooms / Laundry / Sinks | Return to table of contents |
The bathtub at location #A drained slowly. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
The sink drain stopper mechanism at location #A was missing. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
The bathroom with a shower at location #A didn't have an exhaust fan installed. Moisture accumulation will occur and may damage the structure. Even if the bathroom has a window that opens, it likely does not provide adequate ventilation, especially during cold weather when the window is closed. A qualified contractor should install exhaust fans as per standard building practices where missing in bathrooms with showers.
| Interior Rooms / Areas | Return to table of contents |
Minor cracks were found in some areas of the ceilings. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but you may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.
Minor cracks were found in walls in some areas. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but you may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.
 Photo 25 Small crack in drywall
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 Photo 26 Small crack in drywall
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 Photo 30 Crack in drywall
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Carpeting in some areas was stained or soiled. Recommend having carpeting professionally cleaned as necessary.
