Summary Page
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| Client(s): | John & Mary Doe |
| Property address: | 123 Any Where St. Any Town, Ca. 90000 |
| Inspection date: | Saturday, June 04, 2005 |
1) Exterior:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- One or more exterior electric receptacles aren't waterproof or rated for use in wet areas. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. Repairs should be made as necessary, and by a qualified licensed electrician if necessary, so all exterior receptacles are waterproof as per standard building practices.
2) Exterior:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- Wire splices are exposed due to not being contained in a covered junction box. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. A qualified licensed electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, install securely mounted junction boxes with cover plates where needed to contain wiring splices.
3) Exterior:
Safety, Comment
- Gaps larger than four inches were found in one or more guardrails. At the time this home was built these were built to standard building specifications for that time, but does not meet today's standard building practices. This specification was changed due to small children falling. This is a possible safety hazard, especially for the small children. Buyers may want to have a qualified licensed contractor make modifications as necessary so gaps in guardrails do not exceed four inches. For example, installing additional balusters or railing components.
5) Exterior:
Comment
- Firewood is stored so that it's either in contact with the structure or very close to it. The is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects. Recommend storing firewood outdoors in an open area, as far away from the house as practical, to keep away insects. For more information visit http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2065.html
6) Exterior:
Comment
- Soil is in contact with or less than six inches from siding and/or trim. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Soil should be graded and/or removed as necessary so there are at least six inches of space between the siding and trim and the soil below.
7) Plumbing and laundry:
Repair/Replace, Evaluate
- Steel hangers are used to support copper water supply pipes. This contact between dissimilar metals causes corrosion. Recommend having a qualified licensed plumber evaluate water supply pipes where these hangers have been used, and repair or replace pipes if necessary. Steel hangers should be replaced with appropriate hangers that won't cause corrosion.
8) Plumbing and laundry:
Minor defect
- The washing machine has rubber supply hoses which a prone to failure and can cause water leaks. If the washing machine is to go with the sale of the house recommend buyer replacing with steel braided hoses.
10) Garage:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- The automatic door closing device (sprung hinges, etc.) on the garage-house door needs adjustment, repair or replacing. The door doesn't close and latch easily and/or completely via the force of the automatic closing device. This door is intended to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces and to slow the spread of fire from the garage to living spaces. A qualified licensed contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
11) Garage:
Safety, Minor defect
- The automatic garage door opener does not have and electronic eye for Auto-Reverse.
12) Electric service:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- Exposed wiring and/or bus bars exist in the main service panel due to closure covers missing (slots where circuit breakers fit through the panel cover). This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. Closure covers should be installed where missing to eliminate exposed wiring, and by a qualified licensed electrician if necessary.
13) Electric service:
Repair/Replace
- One or more overcurrent protection devices (circuit breakers or fuses) are "double tapped", where 2 or more wires are clamped in a terminal designed for only one wire. This is a safety hazard since the bolt or screw may tighten securely against one wire, but leave others loose. Arcing, sparks and fires may result. A qualified licensed electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
14) Water heater:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- 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 licensed contractor should install seismic straps or struts as necessary and as per standard building practices.
15) Water heater:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- No drain line is installed for the temperature-pressure relief valve. This is a potential safety hazard due to the risk of scalding if someone is standing next to the water heater when the valve opens. A qualified licensed plumber should install a drain line as per standard building practices. For example, extending to 6 inches from the floor, or routed so as to drain outside. For more information, visit http://www.wattsreg.com/default.htm?/t&p/installation.htm
16) Heating and air conditioning:
Minor defect, Maintain
- This system is equipped with throw-away filter(s). They appear to be dirty. Recommend replacing filter(s) now and every 2 months in the future if the thermostat's fan position is set to "Auto", or monthly if it's set to "On".
17) Bathrooms:
Repair/Replace, Evaluate
- One or more toilets are loose. A qualified licensed 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.
18) Bathrooms:
Repair/Replace
- One or more sink drains use flexible drain pipe. This type of drain pipe is more likely to clog than smooth wall pipe. Recommend having a qualified licensed plumber replace this pipe with standard plumbing components (smooth wall pipe) to prevent clogged drains.
19) Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances:
Safety, Repair/Replace
- A significant amount of creosote (1/8" or more) visible in fireplace flue. Recommend cleaning, inspection and repairs if necessary by a qualified chimney service contractor.
20) Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances:
Safety, Evaluate
- The fireplace hearth is less than 18 inches deep. This is a fire hazard. At a minimum, non-combustible hearth pad(s) should be installed. Ideally the hearth(s) should be modified as necessary or installed by a qualified licensed contractor so they are at least 18" deep.
22) Crawl space:
Repair/Replace
- Insulation under the floor in the crawlspace has fallen down. A qualified licensed contractor should make repairs as necessary to restore the insulation to its original rating.
23) Crawl space:
Comment
- Water supply pipes are uninsulated. This was not a requirement at the time this home was originally built. Buyers may want a qualified licensed contractor to insulate pipes as necessary for better energy efficiency and to prevent water pipes from freezing.
24) Attic:
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.
25) Attic:
Evaluate, Monitor
- Stains were visible on the roof structure in one or more areas. These areas were dry at the time of the inspection. The stains may be caused by a past leak. Recommend asking the property owner(s) about past leaks. The client(s) should monitor these areas in the future, especially after heavy rains, to determine if active leaks exist. If leaks are found, a qualified licensed roofing contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
26) Interior rooms:
Safety, Minor defect
- Cover plate(s) are missing 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.
27) Interior rooms:
Safety, Comment
- No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices (receptacles or circuit breakers) are visible in the kitchen or bathrooms. This was not a requirement on homes built or remodeled prior to 1975 for bathrooms and 1987 for kitchens. GFCI devices help prevent electric shocks in areas that may have water present. Recommend buyer having a qualified, licensed electrician install GFCI protection for receptacles over counter tops and around sinks as per standard building practices.
28) Interior rooms:
Repair/Maintain
- East bedroom door binds in the jamb. Recommend having a qualified licensed contractor make repairs as necessary so they close easily.
29) Interior rooms:
Minor defect
- Screen(s) torn and /or loose in one or more windows. Window(s) may not provide ventilation during months when insects are active. Recommend repairing or replacing screens.