Home Inspections A to Z

Website: http://www.reporthost.com/homeaz
Email: mzimmerle@hotmail.com
Phone: (931) 364-7580 · (931) 205-2896
1378 Harper Cemetery rd.  
Chapel Hill, Tn. 37034
Inspector: Mike Zimmerle
00000843

 

Property Inspection Report
Client(s): Barbara Cooper
Property address: 212 High st. Chapel Hill, Tn. 37034
Inspection date: 3/30/2011
This report published on Thursday, March 31, 2011 2:11:48 PM 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.

 
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 
Major DefectCorrection likely involves a significant expense 
Repair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing 
Repair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance 
Minor DefectCorrection likely involves only a minor expense 
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
Exterior
Roof
Garage
Attic
Electric service
Water heater
Heating and cooling
Plumbing and laundry
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Interior rooms
General information
 
Exterior Return to table of contents
Footing material: Poured in place concrete
Foundation material: Poured in place concrete
Apparent wall structure: Wood frame
Wall covering: Brick veneer
Driveway material: Poured in place concrete
Sidewalk material: Poured in place concrete
Exterior door material: Solid core steel
Footing material: Poured in place concrete
GFCI's: FYI, the GFCI's at the front and rear doors, reset in the garage.
Crack in brick: There was a crack above a window on the front porch, this crack was also visible below the window which indicates there could have been some settling of the foundation. There was no apparent damage to the structure, such as damaged drywall on the inside wall. You might want to have the mortar repointed by a mason, and monitor.
1) One or more outside faucets are missing backflow prevention devices. These devices reduce the likelihood of polluted or contaminated water entering the potable water supply. This condition can occur when an outside faucet is left in the "on" position with a hose connected and the sprayer head turned off. When pressure in the system fluctuates, water can be drawn back into the water supply pipes from the house. If a chemical sprayer is being used with the hose, those chemicals can enter the water supply pipes.

Recommend installing backflow prevention devices on all exterior hose bibs where missing. They are available at most home improvement stores and are easily installed. For more information, visit:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE113
2)   The Extension is missing at the bottom of one downspout. I recommend having it reattached.

Photo 2   		 
3)   At the front left, and right rear of the house near a downspout there are depressions in the soil where water can accumulate, I recommend filling these depressions with soil to direct water away from structure.
4)   One of the outside hose bibbs has an anti-siphon device.

Photo 3   		 
 
Roof Return to table of contents
Roof inspection method: Viewed from eaves on ladder
Roof type: Hipped
Roof covering: Asphalt or fiberglass composition shingles
Estimated age of roof: 6 years
Roof ventilation: Adequate
 
Garage Return to table of contents
5) There is a set of pull down stairs in the garage that is not fire-rated. These stairs also were not long enough to reach the floor so a set of extensions had been added, and it still barely reached the floor. If these steps are used, exercise extreme caution.

Photo 8  
Photo 9  
6) There is a crack that runs down the center of the garage from front to back.

Photo 4   		 
 
Attic Return to table of contents
Inspection method: Partially traversed
Roof structure type: Trusses, Rafters
Ceiling structure: Trusses, Ceiling beams
Insulation material: Fiberglass loose fill, Fiberglass roll or batt
Insulation depth: 8" to 13"
Insulation estimated R value: 20 to 35
7) No insulation is installed over the attic access hatch. Recommend installing insulation above hatch for better energy efficiency.
8) No weatherstrip is installed around the attic access hatch. Weatherstrip should be installed around the hatch to prevent heated interior air from entering attic.
9)   FYI, The attic can be accessed from a set of pull down stairs in the garage and a hatch in the Master Bedroon closet. The HVAC unit is located next to the Hatch.
 
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: At Main Panel on north endof house next to the meter.
Location of sub panels: Utility Room, and at HVAC unit
Location of main disconnect: Breaker at top of main service panel
Service entrance conductor material: Aluminum
System ground: Ground rod(s) in soil
Main disconnect rating (amps): 200
Branch circuit wiring type: Copper
10) The smoke detectors had been detached and were laying on the kitchen counter. They had no batteries. I plugged one into the hard wiring and the alarm sounded. I recommend replacing the batteries, and verifying that all the detectors are in proper working order before living in house.
11)   One of the screws is missing in the electrical panel cover in the utility room. Since there are only 3 left holding it on I suggest replacing the missing screw.
 
Water heater Return to table of contents
Estimated age: 6 years
Type: Tank
Energy source: Electricity
Capacity (in gallons): 50
Manufacturer: American
Model: E61-50R-045 DV
Water temperature (degrees Fahrenheit): 118
12)   The water heater was turned off, I turned it on to verify that it worked, and turned it off before leaving.
 
Heating and cooling Return to table of contents
Estimated age: 6years
Primary heating system energy source: Electric
Primary heat system type: Heat pump
Primary A/C energy source: Electric
Primary Air conditioning type: Split system
Distribution system: Flexible ducts
Manufacturer: Gibson
Model: GB3BM-030K-A-10B (inside) JT3BA-030KA (outside)
Filter location: In return air duct located in hallway outside bathroom.
Last service date: NA
13) The last service date of this system appears to be more than one year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. The client(s) should ask the property owner(s) when it was last serviced. If unable to determine the last service date, or if this system was serviced more than one year ago, a qualified heating and cooling contractor should inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed annually in the future.
14) The outdoor air temperature was below 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the inspection. Because of this, the inspector was unable to operate and fully evaluate the cooling system.
15)   The House was about 45 degrees when the inspection began, I started the heat in the normal heat mode, you could smell the odor from the emergency heat strips. I got the return air up to 72 and the supply air was 137. this is a 65 degree differential and makes me believe the emergency heat was on the entire time. I would suggest having the unit checked out by a licensed HVAC tech. Preferrably on a 60 to 70 degree day where he can check it heat and AC mode.
 
Plumbing and laundry Return to table of contents
Water pressure (psi): 50
Location of main water meter: SW cornet of yard near Driveway and Street
Water service: Public
Service pipe material: Polyethelene
Supply pipe material: Copper
Vent pipe material: Plastic
Drain pipe material: Plastic
Waste pipe material: Plastic
16) The inspector was not able to find the main water shut-off valve. The client(s) should consult with the property owner(s) to determine if a shut-off valve exists, find it themselves, or hire a qualified plumber if necessary to find it. If no shut-off valve is found for the structure, then recommend having a qualified plumber install one to more easily allow the water supply to be turned off in the event of an emergency, such as when a supply pipe bursts.
17)   I called the builder to find out the location of the main water cutoff, and he believes that there is none except at the meter. He said that he thinks the best place to install one inside the house would be at the Waterheater.
 
Kitchen Return to table of contents
18)   I operated all the plumbing and appliances, everything seemed to be in good working order. I set the oven at 300 degrees, and my oven thermometer said 275. Since temperature is critical with certain dishes it might be a good idea to buy an oven thermometer.
 
Bathrooms Return to table of contents
19) The toilet in the master bath was loose. I recommend replacing the wax ring that seals the toilet. And tightening the bolts securely when reinstalling. This work should be done by a licensed plumber.
20)   The water spout was loose in the tub in the master bedroom. This also should be repaired by a master plumber.
 
Interior rooms Return to table of contents
21)   In the Master bedroom there was a broken cover plate, and loose receptacle on the south wall, recommend having it repaired by a licensed electrician.
 
General information Return to table of contents
Inspector's name: Mike Zimmerle
Type of building: Single family
Age of building: 6 years
Time started: 2.00
Time finished: 4:20
Inspection Fee: 175.00
Payment method: Check
Present during inspection: Client(s)
Occupied: No
Weather conditions: Cloudy
Temperature: Cold45
Ground condition: Wet
Front of structure faces: West
Main entrance faces: West
Foundation type: Slab on grade
 

Photo 5  
Unterminated wire near electrical panel. Did not appear to be live.
Photo 6  
Crack above window

Photo 7  
Shut off switch in catch HVAC condensation catch pan in attic. Its urpose is to shutdown unit if pan fills with water.
  
 
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