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Home Inspections of Northern Virginia

Website: http://www.homeinspectionsofnorthernvirginia.com
Email: joseph@homeinspectionsofnorthernvirginia.com
Phone: (571) 238-6013
16500 Lance Trail Ct. 
Hamilton, VA 20158
Inspector: Joseph Weissglass

  

Property Inspection Report
Client(s): Eric Desman
Property address: 12940 Wyckland Dr.
Clifton, VA
Inspection date: Monday, July 06, 2009
This report published on 7/7/2009 10:46:07 AM EDT

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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.

 
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 
Repair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance 
Minor DefectCorrection likely involves only a minor expense 
MaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance 
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: 20090706001
Inspector: Joseph Weissglass
Structures inspected: Single Family Detached
Age of building: 8 years
Time started: 7:30
Time finished: 12:30
Inspection Fee: $670
Payment method: Invoiced
Present during inspection: Client(s), Realtor(s)
Occupied: No, but furnishings and stored items are present
Weather conditions: Partly cloudy
Temperature: Warm
Foundation type: Finished basement
The following items are excluded from this inspection: Security system, Irrigation system, Swimming pool, Hot tub, Private well, Playground equipment, Water softener system, Intercom system
1) Safety, Repair/Replace - 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
2) Safety, Evaluate - Radon testing indicated levels of 8 pCi/L. The EPA has set an action level at 4 pCi/L. A qualified contractor should install radon mitigation system(s) in order to reduce the radon levels.
3) Comment - Many wall, floor and/or ceiling surfaces were obscured by large amounts of furniture and/or stored items. Many areas couldn't be fully evaluated.

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Exterior Return to table of contents
Footing material: Not visible
Foundation material: Poured in place concrete
Apparent wall structure: Wood frame
Wall covering: Brick veneer
Driveway material: Asphalt
Sidewalk material: N/A
4) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Non-metallic sheathed wiring is routed in one or more areas so it is subject to damage, such as on wall or ceiling surfaces. The insulation can be damaged by objects coming in contact with it and/or it being repeatedly moved. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, rewire using conduit, or re-routing through wall cavities.

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5) Safety, Repair/Replace - The pool gate near the pool equipment does not have a lock installed currently. Repairs should be made to allow the gate to lock.

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6) Safety, Repair/Replace - One or more flights of stairs with more than two risers have no handrail installed. This is a safety hazard. A qualified contractor should install graspable handrails that your hand can completely encircle at stairs where missing, and as per standard building practices.

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7) Safety, Repair/Replace - A stone on the stairs leading to the pool is loose and should be repaired by a qualified contractor.

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8) Repair/Replace - One or more downspouts have no extensions, or have extensions that are ineffective. 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, such as installing or repositioning splash blocks, or installing and/or repairing tie-ins to underground drain lines, so rain water is carried at least several feet away from the structure to soil that slopes down and away from the structure.

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9) Maintain - 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.

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10) Evaluate - 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.

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11) Evaluate - Settlement has occured at some areas surrounding the home. This does not present a structural concern, but may be repaired for aesthetic reasons.

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12) Comment - Minor cracks were found in the driveway. However they don't appear to be a structural concern and no trip hazards were found. No immediate action is recommended, but the client(s) may wish to have repairs made or have cracked sections replaced for aesthetic reasons.
 
Roof Return to table of contents
Roof inspection method: Viewed from ground with binoculars
Roof type: Hipped
Roof covering: Asphalt or fiberglass composition shingles
Estimated age of roof: 8 years
Gutter & downspout material: Aluminum
Roof ventilation: Adequate
 
Garage Return to table of contents
13) Safety, Repair/Replace - The garage-house door isn't equipped with an automatic closing device such as sprung hinges. This door should close and latch automatically to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces and/or to slow the spread of fire from the garage to living spaces. A qualified contractor should install automatic closing device(s) as necessary, and as per standard building practices, so this door closes and latches automatically.
14) Comment - Much of the garage, including areas around the interior perimeter and in the center are excluded from this inspection due to lack of access from stored items.

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15) Comment - One or more vehicle doors were inaccessible due to stored items and/or debris, and couldn't be operated or fully evaluated.
 
Attic Return to table of contents
Inspection method: Viewed from hatch, Partially traversed
Roof structure type: Trusses
Ceiling structure: Trusses
Insulation material: Mineral wool loose fill
Insulation depth: 14"
Insulation estimated R value: R-30
16) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - A bottom cord on a roof truss is broken at the framing plate. A qualified engineer should evaluate and suggest repairs to be completed by a qualified contractor.

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Electric service Return to table of contents
Primary service type: Underground
Primary service overload protection type: Circuit breakers
Service amperage (amps): 400
Service voltage (volts): 120/240
Location of main disconnect: Breaker at bottom of main service panel
Service entrance conductor material: Aluminum
Main disconnect rating (amps): 200
Solid strand aluminum branch circuit wiring present: No
Smoke detectors present: Yes
 
Water heater Return to table of contents
Estimated age: 8 years
Type: Tank
Energy source: Propane
Capacity (in gallons): 75
Manufacturer: Bradford White
 
Heating and cooling Return to table of contents
Estimated age: 8 years
Primary heating system energy source: Propane gas
Primary heat system type: Forced air
Primary A/C energy source: Electric
Distribution system: Sheet metal ducts, Flexible ducts
Manufacturer: Trane
Filter location: In return air duct below furnace, Behind return air grill
17) Maintain - Air handler filter(s) are dirty and should be replaced now. They should be checked monthly in the future and replaced as necessary.
18) - The furnace fresh air intakes terminate inside the structure of the home. This condition can create a vacuum condition within the home, drawing cold air into the home during heating seasons. These fresh air intakes should be extended outside of the structure to mitigate this condition and to ensure appropriate fresh air supply is available.

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Plumbing and laundry Return to table of contents
Water service: Private
Supply pipe material: Copper, CPVC
19) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Recommend having the septic tank inspected. Recommend having the tank pumped if it was last pumped more than 3 years ago.

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20) Minor Defect - The available water pressure was low at the time of the inspection.

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21) Comment - The clothes washer had clothing in it and was not operated during this inspection. The inspector was unable to fully evaluate the washer and its drain line.

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Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys Return to table of contents
Fireplace type: Masonry, Metal prefabricated
22) Comment - 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
23) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - One or more electric receptacles and/or the boxes they are installed in are loose and/or not securely anchored. Wire conductors may be damaged due to repeated movement and/or tension on wires, or insulation may be damaged. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.

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Bathrooms Return to table of contents
24) Repair/Maintain - Caulk is missing and/or deteriorated at one or more bathtubs. For example, where the tub base meets the floor below, where the tub surround meets the tub, and/or around the base of the tub spout. Caulk should be replaced where deteriorated and/or applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to wall and floor structures.

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25) Repair/Maintain - Caulk is missing and/or deteriorated at one or more showers. For example, where the shower base meets the floor below and/or around the shower surround. Caulk should be replaced where deteriorated and/or applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to wall and floor structures.

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Interior rooms Return to table of contents
26) Safety, Repair/Replace - Lamp holders or light fixtures with fully or partially exposed bulbs are installed in one or more closets. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire. Flammable stored items may come into contact with hot bulbs, and hot fragments from broken bulbs may fall on combustible materials. Standard building practices require closet lighting to use fluorescent light fixtures, or to use fully enclosed incandescent fixtures. Installing a compact fluorescent lamp in a lamp holder is not an acceptable practice. A qualified electrician should replace closet lights as necessary and as per standard building practices.

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27) Safety, Minor Defect - Cover plate(s) are missing from 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 installed where missing.

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28) Repair/Replace - One or more windows in the kitchen that were built to open, will not open, or open only minimally due to their being painted shut, damaged and/or deteriorated in some way. Repairs should be made as necessary, and by a qualified contractor if necessary so windows open fully, and open and close easily.
29) Repair/Replace - The lockset at the door leading from the family room to the screened porch is loose and should be tightened, repaired and or replaced as necessary.

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30) Monitor - Stains were found in the ceiling in the basement bedroom. However, no elevated levels of moisture were found. The stain(s) may be due to past plumbing leaks. Recommend asking the property owner(s) about this, and monitoring the stained area(s) in the future, especially after heavy or prolonged rain. If elevated moisture is found in the future, a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

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31) Comment - Minor cracks were found in ceilings 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.

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Home Inspections of Northern Virginia, LLC