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Home Inspection Report WSDA Inspection Control Number 7253BK005 | |
| Client(s): | Cindy Stentz, David Helm |
| Property address: | 6901 Chair Peak Glacier, Washington 98244 |
| Inspection date: | Friday, September 28, 2007 |
Thank you for choosing Helm Home Inspections. It is my pleasure to provide you with this service. This inspection was performed under the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors 
http://www.nachi.org
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.
Home inspection reports by nature focus on defects and may seem negative in tone. Many features of this property may be in excellent condition and of high quality but are not mentioned in this report. This is not meant to downplay the property's assets, but to focus on alerting you to potentially expensive problems. Note that many problems may be alleviated inexpensively if done immediately, but could be very expensive if allowed to progress. It is also necessary to note that all homes, regardless of age, have some defects.
Your home inspection report represents my good-faith opinions on the subjects listed within at the time of the inspection, but it is not a guarantee or warranty. Please read the report thoroughly and call promptly with any questions or concerns.
Frequently clients ask if repairs should be made prior to, or after, closing. That decision is left to the client. However it is recommended that prior to closing client have in hand - at a minimum - estimates for repairs/upgrades/evaluations of any components or systems that may be complex or costly to fix (typically, but not limited to, structural/foundation, roof, chimney, fireplace, electrical, plumbing and heating concerns). If repairs are completed prior to closing, the client minimizes the chances of unexpected surprises after taking ownership.
Please be aware that the state of Washington 
requires a WDO (wood destroying organisms [including rot and conditions conducive to WDO]) Inspection Control Number and a sketch showing the locations. This sketch will be on file in my office and may be obtained by calling me.
 | 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 |
 | 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
Attic
Electric service
Water heater
Heating and cooling
Plumbing and laundry
Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys
Crawl space
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Interior rooms
| General information | Return to table of contents |
Some wall, floor and/or ceiling surfaces were obscured by furniture and/or stored items. Some areas couldn't be evaluated.
| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
Flashing is missing from above all 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 8 Missing ledger board to house wall flashing
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All crawl space vent screens are blocked by removable panels. This restricts ventilation in the crawl space and may result in increased levels of moisture inside. Materials or items blocking vents should be removed.
 Photo 7 Blocked foundation vents
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Gaps exist at one or more openings around the exterior, such as those where outside faucets, refrigerant lines, and/or gas supply pipes penetrate the exterior. Gaps should be sealed as necessary to prevent moisture intrusion and entry by vermin.
 Photo 2 Siding penetration, poor caulk, cables cut off
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Caulk is missing in many areas such as around windows and at siding butt joints. This can allow water to penetrate the house structure and is a conducive condition for wood destroying organisms. Caulk must be applied where necessary. For more information on caulking, visit The Ins and Outs of Caulking.
 Photo 3 'wide gap, no caulk
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 Photo 4 Wide gap between window trim and siding, no caulk
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 Photo 5 Wide gap at siding butt joint, no caulk
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 Photo 14 Missing pine ceiling paneling
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| Roof | Return to table of contents |
There is an active leak in the roof area over the hot tub. This is caused by: 1) a missing narrow section of metal panel 2) a missing ridge cap 3) missing screws in one roof panel. A qualified roofing contractor should evaluate and replace sections and/or make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 9 Missing roof ridge cap
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 Photo 10 Missing screws
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 Photo 11 Missing roof section, debris on roof
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 Photo 12 Active roof leak
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 Photo 13 Active roof leak
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Debris such as leaves, needles, seeds, etc. have accumulated on the roof. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms since water may not flow easily off the roof, and may enter gaps in the roof surface. Leaks may occur as a result. Debris should be cleaned from the roof now and as necessary in the future.
The roof was partially obscured by accumulated debris and couldn't be fully evaluated.
| Attic | Return to table of contents |
No exhaust fan ducts were found for this structure. If they terminate in the space between the ceiling and roof this is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms due to increased moisture levels in this area from the exhaust air. The builder should be queried regarding location of exhaust fan ducts and where they terminate. Exhaust air needs to be properly vented outside.
No accessible attic spaces were found or inspected at this property.
| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
| Water heater | Return to table of contents |
The water heater does not have seismic straps or struts installed. This is a potential safety hazard since movement can cause leaks in the gas supply lines or damage wiring. Leaks may also occur in water supply pipes. A qualified contractor should install seismic straps or struts as necessary and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 15 Missing earthquake straps
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| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
A function test found all heaters to be operable at the time of the inspection.
| 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
The clothes dryer exhaust duct is kinked, crushed and/or damaged. Air flow is restricted as a result. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire. The exhaust duct should be replaced or repaired, and by a qualified contractor if necessary. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html or http://chimneykeepers.com/dryerclean.html
 Photo 34 Crimped dryer vent
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The clothes dryer exhaust duct is broken or disconnected in one place. Clothes dryers produce large amounts of moisture which should not enter structure interiors. Damage to building components may result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make permanent repairs as necessary. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html
 Photo 33 Torn, unconnected dryer vent
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Recommend having the septic tank inspected. Recommend having the tank pumped if it was last pumped more than 3 years ago.
The clothes dryer exhaust duct is routed so as to vent into the crawl space. This adds moisture to the air of the crawl space and is a conducive condition to wood destroying organisms. Recommend rerouting the duct so it vents outside per standard building practices. This should be done by a qualified person.
 Photo 39 Dryer vent terminating in crawl space
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Washer: Danby, model# DWM5500W-1, serial# 44330049 Photo 17 Washer, Dryer
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Location of main water shut off
 Photo 16 Main water shutoff
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Location of fuel shutoff
 Photo 6 Propane shut off valve
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| Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys | Return to table of contents |
The glass on the gas fireplace may develop a hazy film over time. This is typically a mineral residue left from water vapor as the gas burns. It may be possible to clean this fogging by removing the glass from the fireplace and using a gas appliance ceramic glass cleaner, available through gas fireplace and stove distributors and installers. Ammonia-based products, such as common glass cleaners should not be used since they may cause damage or etching to the glass, or make the haze permanent.| Crawl space | Return to table of contents |
Some wiring is loose, unsupported, or inadequately supported. Standard building practices require non-metallic sheathed wiring to be trimmed to length, attached to runners or to solid backing with fasteners at intervals of 4-1/2 ft. or less. Fasteners should be installed within 12 inches of all enclosures. A qualified, licensed electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, trim wire to length and/or install staples as needed.
 Photo 40 Loose, unsupported wiring
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 Photo 41 Loose, unsupported wiring
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Standing water was found in two sections of the crawl space. Accumulated water is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms and should not be present in the crawl space. A qualified contractor who specializes in drainage issues should evaluate and repair as necessary. Typical repairs for preventing water from accumulating in crawl spaces include: Photo 36 Water damage to bearing wall sheathing in crawl space
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 Photo 37 Standing water in crawl space
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 Photo 38 One inch deep standing water in crawl space
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 Photo 42 Inadequate crawl space entry well
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All crawl space vent screens are blocked by removable panels. This restricts ventilation in the crawl space and may result in increased levels of moisture inside. Materials or items blocking vents should be removed.
Cellulose-based debris such as wood scraps, form wood, cardboard and/or paper were found in crawl space. All cellulose-based debris should be removed to avoid attracting wood destroying insects.
 Photo 35 Wood storage in crawl spacee
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The crawl space is being used as a storage area. All stored items, especially cellulose-based items such as wood, cardboard or paper, should be removed to allow maximum ventilation and to avoid attracting wood destroying insects.
| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
The range can tip forward, and no anti-tip bracket appears to be installed. This is a safety hazard since the range may tip forward when weight is applied to the open door, such as when a small child climbs on it, or if heavy objects are dropped on it. Anti-tip brackets have been sold with all free standing ranges since 1985. An anti-tip bracket should be installed to eliminate this safety hazard. For more information, visit http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling/article/0,1797,HGTV_3659_2017492,00.html
There is no back splash installed at the kitchen counter in a wet area. An attempt was made to control water penetration into the wall with caulk. The gap is too wide for caulk to bridge (maximum caulkable gap is 1/8 inch). This is a conducive condition for wood destroying organisms. Recommend installation of a proper backsplash per standard building practices, by a qualified contractor.
 Photo 20 Missing backsplash
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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.
Refridgerator: GE, model# GTS18FBRERWW, serial# AH825854 Photo 18 Refridgerator
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 Photo 19 Stove and microwave
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| Bathrooms | Return to table of contents |
Caulk is missing along the base of the bathtub (downstairs bathroom), where flooring meets the tub. Grout was used to fill this space, and has cracked, allowing water to potentially enter the floor structure. The way to finish this is with matching color caulk (sanded) rather than grout. It should be applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to the floor structure.
 Photo 22 Missing caulk at tub base
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The base of the bathtub spout (downstairs bathroom) is loose. Caulk does not hold the spout to the wall. The spout should be tightened and recaulked (by a qualified plumber) to prevent water intrusion and damage to wall structures.
 Photo 21 Loose bathtub faucet spout
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Caulk is missing along the base of the shower (upstairs bathroom), where flooring meets the shower. This was done in the same way as the downstairs bathroom. Same recommendation.
 Photo 24 Missing caulk at shower base
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The paint job in the upstairs bathroom is sloppy and not finished per standard building practices, with color paint (from rollers touching the ceiling) slopped onto the ceiling. Recommend touch up and repainting of ceiling so colors do not slop onto each other.
 Photo 25 Messy, unprofessional paint job
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 Photo 26 Messy, unprofessional paint job
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 Photo 27 No transition strip, poor grout job
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| Interior rooms | Return to table of contents |
One electric baseboard heater is installed with an electric receptacle located above. Insulation on appliance cords in contact with the heater(s) may be damaged by the heat. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, converting receptacles to junction boxes, moving receptacles and/or moving baseboard heaters.
 Photo 31 Electric outlet above baseboard heater
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The low wall in the loft above the stairs that acts as a safety railing is very loose. This is dangerous as someone leaning against it could fall down the stairs, possibly suffering serious injury. Recommend evaluation and repair, per standard construction practices, by a qualified contractor, so that the wall is rigidly installed to the floor and truly acts as a safety railing.
All of the window wrap in this structure is unpainted MDF (medium density fiber board). The only coating on it is the factory primer. Several window sills (Upstairs bathroom, NW bedroom and kitchen) have water damage as a result. Recommend replacing kitchen sill, filling all nail holes, and painting all wrap with enamel, by a qualified painting contractor.
 Photo 23 Water damage to unpainted MDF window wrap
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 Photo 30 Water damage to unpainted MDF window wrap
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 Photo 32 Water damage to unpainted MDF window wrap
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There does not appear to be a key for the main entry deadbolt. Recommend acquiring a key for this deadbolt or having it rekeyed to match the latch key.
Many of the windows (all upstairs and kitchen downstairs) have not had their installation completed. They are equipped with a capillary seal that has to be completed at installation. The instructions for this process were found in one window. Recommend completion of this process, per the instructions, by a qualified contractor.
 Photo 28 Instructions for capillary seal of windows
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 Photo 29 Incomplete sealing of windows
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