Huntsville Home Inspector, LLC

Website: http://www.reporthost.com/hhi
Email: jsb1140@gmail.com
Phone: (256) 656-5803
352 Dupree Dr 
Huntsville AL 35806-1064
Inspector: Jim Brown
AL state license HI 3040

  

Home Inspection Report
Client(s): Jim & Judy Johnson
Property address: Honor's Way
Madison, AL
Inspection date: 4/20/2011
This report published on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:48:26 AM CDT

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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.This inspection is a limited visual report of the general condition of the home and its major components at the time of the inspection. Please review the pre-inspection agreement that you have been provided for an explanation of the scope and restrictions of this report.

 
How to Read this Report
This report is organized by the property's functional areas.  Within each functional area, descriptive information is listed first and is shown in bold type.  Items of concern follow descriptive information. Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
SafetyPoses a risk of injury or death 
Repair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing 
EvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist 
MonitorRecommend monitoring in the future 
CommentFor 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

Table of Contents
General information
Exterior
Roof
Garage
Attic
Electric service
Water heater
Heating and cooling
Plumbing and laundry
Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Interior rooms
 
General information Return to table of contents
Report number: 042011
Inspector's name: Jim Brown
Type of building: Single family
Age of building: Approximately 10 years
Time started: 9:00 am
Time finished: 12:00 pm
Inspection Fee: $ 350.00
Present during inspection: Realtor(s)
Occupied: No
Weather conditions: Cloudy
Temperature: Cool
Ground condition: Wet
Front of structure faces: North
Foundation type: Slab on grade
The following items are excluded from this inspection: Shed
1) The natural gas service was turned off. As a result, some appliances such as water heater(s), forced air furnace(s), gas fireplace(s), stove(s), range(s) and/or gas supply lines weren't fully evaluated. The inspector was unable to test for gas leaks.
 
Exterior Return to table of contents
Footing material: Poured in place concrete, Not visible
Foundation material: Poured in place concrete
Apparent wall structure: Wood frame
Wall covering: Brick veneer, Metal, Vinyl
Driveway material: Poured in place concrete
Sidewalk material: Poured in place concrete
Exterior door material: Solid core steel
2) Some window screens missing and one torn screen at sun room.
3) Gap between vinyl and brick right and above dining room.

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4) Light fixture between garage doors is loose.

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5) Voids in silicone around some doors and windows.
6) Many exterior components were obscured by vegetation.
7)   Hose bibs protrude from brick.

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Roof Return to table of contents
Roof inspection method: Viewed from eaves on ladder
Roof type: Gable, Hipped
Roof covering: Asphalt or fiberglass composition shingles
Estimated age of roof: Unknown
Gutter & downspout material: Aluminum
Roof ventilation: Adequate, designed for its period, extra ventilation would provide extended shingle life.
8) Gutters are deformed at front above garage and above patio.

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9) Gutters have negative drainage next garage and at left front eyebrow. Gutter next to garage is loose and hanging downward.

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10) Starter course shingles at all hip roofs are cracked. This may allow water penetration which may not be visible.

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11) Lifted flanges at east vent, south vent, and west dryer vent.

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12) Missing shingle on south side left and near top.

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13) Holes in shingles above left side of patio.

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14) Exposed nails on roof are not sealed.

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15) Gutter leaks at SE corner of dwelling.

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16) Gutters are holding water in places due to build up of gravel.
 
Garage Return to table of contents
17) There is only one permanent button which opens west door. This door opener would not operate. It traveled about 6" and reversed. The east door does not have a permanent button and was operated with remote transmitter. Both doors when not attached to opener had too much down force. Tension should be adjusted for safety. East door was operated and both safety switches performed as intended.
18) Typical shrinkage crack in concrete floor.

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Attic Return to table of contents
Inspection method: Traversed
Roof structure type: Rafters
Ceiling structure: Ceiling beams
Insulation material: Fiberglass loose fill
Insulation depth: 6"-10"
19) There are several wall areas open to the attic that are not insulated, this will produce excessive heat loss and gain.

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20) Insulation has been trampled down in areas from foot traffic.

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21) Bathroom vent ducts for powder room and master bath could not be located.
 
Electric service Return to table of contents
Primary service type: Underground
Primary service overload protection type: Circuit breakers
Service amperage (amps): 200
Service voltage (volts): 120/240
Location of main service switch: East exterior side
Location of main disconnect: Meter base
Service entrance conductor material: Aluminum
System ground: Ground rod(s) in soil
Main disconnect rating (amps): 200
Branch circuit wiring type: Non-metallic sheathed
Smoke detectors present: Yes
22) Smoke detector in front of hall bath had a very weak alarm.
23) Junction at rear receptacle services a remote receptacle. The junction has exposed wires. The weather proof cover is installed upside down.

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24) Could not operate rear flood lights and could not determine the purpose of one of the three bank switches in sun room.
25)   FYI

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Water heater Return to table of contents
Type:
Capacity (in gallons): 50
26) Dwelling was winterized. Water was turned on and tank filled. Breaker was off but turned on after tank filled. Hot water was present at all hot water valves. Breaker and water was turned off after inspection.
 
Heating and cooling Return to table of contents
Estimated age: Unknown
Primary heating system energy source: Natural gas
Primary heat system type: Forced air
Primary A/C energy source: Electric
Primary Air conditioning type: Split system
Distribution system: Flexible ducts
Filter location: Behind return air grill
27) Rust is present in HVAC auxiliary pan, this should be evaluated by a certified technician.

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28) Returned air filter was extremely dirty.
29) FYI

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30) Inspector replaced 3 AA batteries in thermostat. Unit operated in cooling mode and achieved an 18-20 degree differential between inlets and outlets and performed as intended. The compressor was a little noisy at start up. Unit was operated in heating mode and achieved a 35-40 degree temperature differential between inlets and outlets and performed as intended.
 
Plumbing and laundry Return to table of contents
Water pressure (psi): 75 psi
Location of main water shut-off valve: Street
Location of main water meter: Street
Water service: Public
Service pipe material: Not visible
Supply pipe material: Copper
Vent pipe material: Plastic
Waste pipe material: Plastic
31) Valve at hall tub/shower operated in unusual manner, it appears to be installed upside down or may have been improperly repaired.
32) Toilets at all three bathrooms ran continuously ( would not shut off completely ). Master bath toilet tank would not fill completely. Powder room toilet handle had to be held down to operate. Water valves at all toilets were turned off after inspection.
33) Hose bibs protrude from brick which could promote freezing. Front hose bib is not fastened, side and rear hose bibs leak around stem when operated.

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34) Dwelling was winterized. Water was turned on for inspection and turned off after inspection.
35) Could not locate main house shut off valve or pressure reducer valve.
 
Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys Return to table of contents
Fireplace type: Metal prefabricated
36) Gas logs could not be ignited. Probable cause is line needs to be bled.
 
Kitchen Return to table of contents
37) Receptacles on oven side wall are not GFCI protected.
38) Sink faucet leaks under handle if too much pressure is applied away from sink.
39) Microwave turntable did not turn.
40) Disposer was more noisy than expected.
41) No stopper present for disposer side drain
 
Bathrooms Return to table of contents
42) Bottom window jamb below glass block window is deteriorated.

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43) Strike plate at hall bath is deformed and loose.

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44)   Master shower has excessive caulking around base, this may indicate previous leaking.

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Interior rooms Return to table of contents
45) Broken cover plates at master bedroom and middle bedroom.

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46) Powder room door latch will not lock.
47) Light at rear bedroom did not operate.
48) The front entrance door did not latch tightly.
49) The ball catch for left door in study is broken.
50) Cracks in tape joint above master shower.

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51) No shoe molding is present at hall between the two west bedrooms.
52) All windows operated however they did not operate smoothly. The middle window in front study dropped abruptly, ballast adjustment needed. The east window it study will not lock into its track.
 

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