| Doyle Home Inspection | |
| Client(s): | Wenz |
| Property address: | 13731 Magnolia Dr. Plainfield, IL |
| Inspection date: | 6/11/2010 |
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 |
 | Serviceable | Item or component is in servicable condition |
 | 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 |
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
| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
Cover plate(s) are broken at 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 replaced where 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 9 no power to GFCI outlet
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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:
 Photo 2 small foundation crack
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 Photo 3 small foundation crack
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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.
| Roof | Return to table of contents |
| Garage | Return to table of contents |
Cracked cement floor
 Photo 21 corner of garage cement slab is cracked
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| Attic | Return to table of contents |
Ceiling insulation is uneven in some areas. This is likely due to someone having walked on or through the insulation. Recommend installing additional insulation where necessary to restore the original R rating.
 Photo 5 |
No duct
 Photo 4 Both bathroom fans and the dryer vent exhaust into attic
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| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
| Water heater | Return to table of contents |
| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
The heat exchanger in the gas furnace is damaged and/or deteriorated from rust, corrosion, cracking and/or holes. This is a safety hazard due to combustion gases entering the air supply ducts. A qualified heating and cooling contractor should evaluate and make repairs and/or replace components as necessary.
 Photo 19 |
Significant amounts of debris, dirt and/or dust are visible in one or more sections of supply and/or return air ducts. This can be a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems. The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) recommends considering having ducts professionally cleaned when "ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers". At a minimum, the visible debris should be thoroughly cleaned. Recommend having a qualified contractor clean the ducts. For more information on duct cleaning in relation to indoor air quality, visit: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html
 Photo 10 Heat Ducts are dirty
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The estimated useful life for forced air furnaces is 15 to 20 years. This furnace appears to be at this age or older and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
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.
The air conditioning system did not respond when its controls were operated. This system was not fully evaluated. The client(s) should consult with the property owner(s) as to how it operates and have a qualified heating and cooling contractor evaluate and make repairs if necessary.
 Photo 14 Exhaust blower fan will not turn on, while the other components do.
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The outside condensing unit is excessively noisy and/or is vibrating excessively. A qualified heating and cooling contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
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 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
 Photo 15 plastic exhausting into attic
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Dryer vents into the attic
| Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys | Return to table of contents |
Tile in front of Fire place, the hearth has tile damage
 Photo 13 subfloor below caused tile to crack a heave
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All solid fuel burning appliances (woodstoves and fireplaces, etc.) should be inspected annually by a qualified chimney service contractor, cleaned and repaired as necessary.
| Kitchen | 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.
The range hood fan vents into the kitchen rather than outdoors. Ventilation may be inadequate and moisture may accumulate indoors. Recommend having a qualified contractor make modifications as necessary as per standard building practices so the range hood fan vents outdoors.
| Bathrooms | 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 17 exhaust fan loose from ceiling
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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 11 toliet is loose
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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.
 Photo 18 |
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 20 10 years or older smoke detector
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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 8 No screens
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One or more deadbolt mechanisms are inoperable or difficult to operate. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 6 deadbolt needs ajustment
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One or more sliding screen doors are difficult to open or close. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace door(s) as necessary.
 Photo 7 Slightly damaged screen, screen not taught, If screen is not fitted tightly or sctreched, this will prevent door from open easily, the door binds.
Paint needed on apron trim below door |
One or more air supply registers are damaged and should be replaced where necessary.
Screens in one or more sliding doors are torn or have holes in them. Screens should be replaced where necessary.
Carpeting in one or more rooms is soiled and/or stained. Recommend having carpeting professionally cleaned as necessary.
Condensation and/or mildew was found around windows. This is typically caused by high levels of moisture indoors coming in contact with cold, exterior surfaces, and can be controlled by heating and ventilation. Recommend the following:
 Photo 16 keep weep holes in the window clean, and clear
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 Photo 12 re-seal grout
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