View as PDF

Key Inspection Service LLC

Website: http://keyinspectionservice.com
Email: stafford@keyinspectionservice.com
Phone: (609) 513-1925
3956 Black Horse Pike Ste B162 
Mays Landing NJ 08330-3107
Inspector: Steven Stafford

Summary Page

Property Inspection Report
Client(s): Joe Jones
Property address: XXX Rariton rd
Cranford NJ 07016
Inspection date: 1/31/2010

This summary page published on 5/10/2010 6:28:14 PM EDT

Return to report

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.

General Information
1) Safety, Comment - Structures built prior to 1980 may contain lead-based paint and/or asbestos in various building materials such as insulation, siding, and/or floor and ceiling tiles. Both lead and asbestos are known health hazards. Evaluating for the presence of lead and/or asbestos is not included in this inspection. The client should consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygienists, professional labs and/or abatement contractors for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit:
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.cpsc.gov
http://www.cdc.gov

Grounds
2) Repair/Maintain - Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines was in contact with or less than one foot from the building exterior. Vegetation can serve as a conduit for wood destroying insects and may retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. Vegetation should be pruned and/or removed as necessary to maintain a one foot clearance between it and the building exterior.

Exterior / Foundation
4) Safety, Comment - Based on the appearance of the siding and the age of this structure, some, most or all of the exterior siding material may contain asbestos. The client should be aware of this when considering repairs to or replacement of this siding, and consult with qualified testing labs and/or abatement contractors as necessary. For more information on asbestos in the home, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/453.html
5) Repair/Replace, Evaluate, Monitor - Evidence of prior water intrusion was found in one or more sections of the basement. For example, water stains at support post bases, efflorescence on the foundation etc. Accumulated water is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms and should not be present in the basement. The client should review any disclosure statements available and ask the property owner about past accumulation of water in the basement. The basement should be monitored in the future for accumulated water, especially after heavy and/or prolonged periods of rain. If water is found to accumulate, a qualified contractor who specializes in drainage issues should evaluate and repair as necessary. Typical repairs for preventing water from accumulating in basements include:

  • Repairing, installing or improving rain run-off systems (gutters, downspouts and extensions or drain lines)
  • Improving perimeter grading
  • Repairing, installing or improving underground footing and/or curtain drains

    Ideally, water should not enter basements, but if water must be controlled after it enters the basement, then typical repairs include installing a sump pump.
    6) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Rot or water damage was found at one or more sections of trim, window sills, window frames. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.
    7) Repair/Maintain - Caulk was deteriorated in areas. For example around windows and doors. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary. For more information, visit:
    http://www.reporthost.com/_docs/FPL_Caulking_Ins_Outs.pdf

    Roof / Attic
    11) Major Defect, Evaluate - All sections of the composition shingle roof surface appeared to be near the end of their service life and will likely need replacing in the near future, even with repairs. The client should budget for a replacement roof surface, and may want to have a qualified roofing contractor evaluate.
    12) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Many roof flashings were deteriorated. Leaks may occur as a result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
    13) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Many gutters, downspouts were corroded. Water may accumulate around the building foundation as a result. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
    14) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Extensions such as splash blocks or drain pipes for many downspouts were missing. Water may accumulate around the building foundation as a result. A qualified person should evaluate and repair, replace or install as necessary

    Electric
    21) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Based on the shape of the electric meter socket enclosure, the size of the service entrance conductors, and/or the rating of the main disconnect device, the electric meter socket enclosure appeared to be undersized for this electric service. This is a potential fire hazard. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair if necessary.
    22) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Based on the size of the rating of the main service panel, the size of the service conductor wires, and/or the rating of the main disconnect device, the main service panel appeared to be undersized. This is a potential fire hazard. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair if necessary.
    23) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - One or more overcurrent protection devices (circuit breakers or fuses) in panel #A were "double tapped", where 2 or more wires were 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 electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
    24) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Two-pronged electric receptacles rather than three-pronged, grounded receptacles were installed in many areas. They are considered to be unsafe by today's standards and limit the ability to use appliances that require a ground in these rooms. Examples of appliances that require grounded receptacles include:

  • Computer hardware
  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Air conditioners
  • Clothes washers
  • Clothes dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Kitchen food waste disposers
  • Information technology equipment
  • Sump pumps
  • Electrical aquarium equipment
  • Hand-held motor-operated tools
  • Stationary and fixed motor-operated tools
  • Light industrial motor-operated tools
  • Hedge clippers
  • Lawn mowers

    This list is not exhaustive. A qualified electrician should evaluate and install grounded receptacles as per the client's needs and standard building practices.
    25) Safety, Repair/Replace - The service drop wires were in contact with trees or vegetation. The utility company should prune or remove trees as necessary to prevent straining or abrading the service drop wires.
    26) Safety, Repair/Replace - One or more exterior electric receptacles were being used for appliances or systems that are constantly in use, and were not equipped with a "while in use" receptacle covers for wet locations[/url]. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock and fire. "While in use" covers should be installed where necessary. For more information, visit:
    http://www.google.com/search?q=while+in+use+receptacle+cover
    27) Safety, Evaluate - Branch circuit wiring installed in buildings built prior to the mid 1980s is typically rated for a maximum temperature of only 60 degrees Centigrade. This includes non-metallic sheathed (Romex) wiring, and both BX and AC metal clad flexible wiring. Knob and tube wiring, typically installed in homes built prior to 1950 may be rated for even lower maximum temperatures. Newer electric fixtures including lighting and fans typically require wiring rated for 90 degrees Centigrade. Connecting older, 60 degree-rated wiring to such newer fixtures is a potential safety hazard due to the risk of fire. Repairs for such conditions often involve replacing the last few feet of wiring to newer fixtures with new 90 degree-rated wire. This often requires installing a junction box to join the old and new wiring.

    It is beyond the scope of this inspection to determine if such incompatible components are installed, or to determine the extent to which they're installed. Based on the age of this building, the client should be aware that this safety hazard may be present in this building. Recommend consulting with the property owner to determine if and when newer fixtures were installed, and/or to have a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as per standard building practices.

    Plumbing / Fuel Systems
    28) Safety, Comment - Copper water supply pipes in buildings built prior to 1986 may be joined with solder that contains lead. Lead is a known health hazard, especially for children. Laws were passed in 1985 prohibiting the use of lead in solder, but prior to that solder normally contained about 50 percent lead. The client should be aware of this, especially if children will be living in this structure. Evaluating for the presence of lead in this structure is not included in this inspection. The client should consider having a qualified lab test for lead, and if necessary take steps to reduce or remove lead from the water supply. Various solutions such as these may be advised:

  • Flush water taps or faucets. Do not drink water that has been sitting in the plumbing lines for more than six hours.
  • Install appropriate filters at points of use.
  • Use only cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water.
  • Use bottled or distilled water.
  • Treat well water to make it less corrosive.
  • Have a qualified plumbing contractor replace supply pipes and/or plumbing components as necessary.

    For more information visit:
    http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5056.html
    http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html

    Water Heater
    29) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Flue pipe sections or connections were loose . This is a safety hazard due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

    Heating
    30) Repair/Maintain, Evaluate - The last service date of this system appeared to be more than one year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. The client should ask the property owner 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 contractor should service this system and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed annually in the future.

    Fireplaces / Stoves / Chimneys
    32) Safety, Repair/Replace - No spark screen or rain cap was installed for the chimney flue at location #A. Spark screens prevent the following:

  • Fire hazard from wood fire sparks and embers exiting flues
  • Wildlife (birds, rodents, raccoons, etc.) entering flues

    Rain caps prevent the following:

  • Rainwater entering flues and mixing with combustion deposits, creating caustic chemicals which can corrode flues
  • Rainwater entering flues and causing damage to masonry from freeze-thaw cycles

    A qualified person should install screening and rain caps as per standard building practices.

    Interior Rooms / Areas
    34) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Many windows that were built to open were difficult to open and close. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
    35) Repair/Replace - One or more exterior doors had moderate deterioration. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
    36) Repair/Replace - The weatherstrip around one or more exterior doors was missing. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
    37) Repair/Maintain, Evaluate - The caulking at many windows was deteriorated. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. For more information, visit:
    http://www.google.com/search?q=replacing+glazing+putty