| Doyle Home Inspections | |
| Client(s): | Karen Beard |
| Property address: | 1029 Hinswood Dr. Darien, IL |
| Inspection date: | 7/19/2010 |
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 |
 | 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 |
| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
One or more light fixtures are loose or installed in a substandard way. A qualified contractor or electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary so light fixtures are securely mounted and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
 Photo 3 light is loose and missing a nut
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Siding is damaged and/or deteriorated in one or more areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs and/or replace siding as necessary to prevent water and vermin intrusion.
 Photo 4 siding is damaged
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 Photo 9 Mildew build up below soffit
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One or more downspout extensions are missing. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. Repairs should be made as necessary so downspouts are securely anchored and functional
 Photo 6 downspout dumps water to close to the foundation
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One or more gutters are damaged. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. A qualified contractor should replace or repair gutters where necessary.
 Photo 7 dented gutter
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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 5 soil is to close to the siding
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Caulk is missing or deteriorated in some areas and should be replaced and/or applied where necessary. For more information on caulking, visit The Ins and Outs of Caulking.
| Roof | Return to table of contents |
The roof surface material appears to be near the end of its service life and will likely need replacing in the near future, even with repairs. The client(s) should budget for a replacement roof surface, and may want to have a qualified roofing contractor evaluate and attempt to issue a "5 year roof certificate".
| Garage | Return to table of contents |
The garage vehicle door is damaged or deteriorated. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace the door as necessary.
 Photo 2 Garage door damaged
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 Photo 25 Garage door damaged
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 Photo 26 Garage door damaged
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| Attic | Return to table of contents |
Ceiling insulation is missing in some areas. Recommend installing insulation where missing for better energy efficiency.
 Photo 14 Some insulation has been removed
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One or more exhaust fans have no duct and terminate in the attic. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms due to increased moisture levels in the attic from the exhaust air. A qualified contractor should install ducts and vent caps as necessary and as per standard building practices so exhaust air is vented outside. Better building practices call for R8 rated insulation on these ducts.
 Photo 12 FYI, bathroom exhausts into the attic
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| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
| Water heater | Return to table of contents |
A water heater is installed over finished living spaces and has no catch pan and drain installed. Recommend having a qualified contractor install a catch pan and drain to prevent water damage to finished interior spaces below if/when the water heater develops a leak or is drained.
| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
The estimated useful life for air conditioning compressors is 8 to 15 years. This unit appears to have exceeded this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
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(s), or current room temperature. This may be caused by 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.
The cooling fins on the outdoor condensing unit's evaporator coils are dirty. This may result in reduced efficiency and higher energy costs. A qualified heating and cooling contractor should clean the evaporator coils as necessary.
 Photo 8 clean the AC fins
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The filter(s) for the heating/cooling system should be checked monthly and replaced or washed as necessary.
| Plumbing and laundry | Return to table of contents |
The washing machine is installed over a finished living space and has no catch pan or drain installed. These are not commonly installed, but they are recommended to prevent water damage to finished interior spaces below if or when the washing machine leaks, overflows or is drained. Recommend having a qualified contractor install both a catch pan and drain.
 Photo 11 No catch pan below washer or hot water tank
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| Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys | Return to table of contents |
The gas supply for one or more gas fireplaces and/or stoves was turned off. ] the inspector does not operate gas shut off valves or light pilot lights during inspections. These appliances were not fully evaluated.
 Photo 23 fireplace gas starter has been removed, this is fine, but put on a 1/2" cap
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 Photo 24 FYI, this is the shutoff valve for the gas in the fireplace
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| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
No concerns
| Bathrooms | Return to table of contents |
One or more faucets leak by handle(s) or at their base when turned on. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 27 water leaks when faucet is on
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 Photo 28 water leaks below pedestal sink when it is on
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 Photo 29 leaking from faucet on pedestal sink
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One or more toilets are loose. A qualified contractor should remove the toilet(s) for further evaluation and repairs if necessary. A new wax ring should be installed and toilet(s) should be securely anchored to the floor to prevent movement and leaking.
 Photo 20 toilet is slightly loose to floor
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Caulk is missing or deteriorated above one or more bathtubs, where the tub surround meets the tub. It should be replaced where deteriorated and/or applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to the wall structure.
 Photo 15 re caulk bath surround and behind the Spout
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Caulk is missing or deteriorated around the base of one or more bathtub spouts. It should be replaced where deteriorated and/or applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to wall structures.
One or more tubs drains slowly.
 Photo 16 Both Bath tubs drain slowly
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Recommend cleaning and sealing grout in countertops now and in the future as necessary to prevent staining and to improve waterproofing.
| Interior rooms | Return to table of contents |
Based on the age of this structure and the appearance of existing smoke alarms, the alarms may be older than 10 years old. According to National Fire Protection Association, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Unless you know that the smoke alarms are new, replacing them when moving into a new residence is also recommended by NFPA. For more information, visit this article: NFPA urges replacing home smoke alarms after 10 years.
 Photo 30 2nd floor smoke detector is older than 10 years old
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Batteries in all the smoke alarms should be replaced after taking occupancy, and annually in the future. "Chirping" noises emitted from smoke alarms typically indicate that batteries need replacing. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html
Screen(s) in one or more windows are missing. The client(s) should ask the property owner(s) about this. Screens are often removed for window cleaning and they may be stored somewhere. If not, then recommend installing screens where missing.
 Photo 22 no screen
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One or more exterior entrance doors are damaged and/or deteriorated and should be repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor.
 Photo 10 Cracked window frame on front door
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One or more light fixtures appear to be inoperable. Recommend further evaluation by replacing bulb(s) and/or consulting with the property owner(s). Repairs or replacement of the light fixture(s) by a qualified electrician may be necessary
 Photo 19 closet light needs a new bulb or ballast
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One or more doors stick and will not close easily, need to be trimmed and or planed
 Photo 17 Door sticks, needs to be trimmed/planed
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 Photo 18 1 of 3 Doors sticks, needs to be trimmed/planed
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Minor cracks were found in walls in one or more areas. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but the client(s) may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.
 Photo 21 small crack in drywall joint on wall
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 Photo 13 Positive attribute: fire/heat sensor hard wired to the fire department
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