 | Website: http://www.Look1st.net Email: look1st@sbcglobal.net Phone: (530) 864-6809 · (530) 877-7870 FAX: (866) 240-2869 490 Boquest Blvd. Paradise, Ca. 95969 Inspector: Steven Waterman NACHI #06092992 HIF # 10368A |
| Cox / Myrtle Inspection | |
| Client(s): | Dan Cox |
| Property address: | 54 Myrtle Drive Oroville, Ca. 95966 |
| Inspection date: | Thursday, October 23, 2008 |
NOTE:
The findings and recommendations contained in this report are based on the newest and most up to date construction and safety standards in the industry. Some deficiencies may not have been recognized as such at the time the structure was built or remodeled. Other deficiencies are aimed at energy efficiency or air quality, and are not required building restrictions or practices. Look First Inspections is not a specialist in code compliance or zoning restrictions, and no part of the report should be considered as required repair and/or replacement.
 | Safety | Poses a risk of injury or death |
 | Repair/Replace | Recommend repairing or replacing |
 | Repair/Maintain | Recommend repair and/or maintenance |
 | Minor Defect | Correction likely involves only a minor expense |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Monitor | Recommend monitoring in the future |
 | Serviceable | Item or component is in servicable condition |
 | Comment | For your information |
Structural Pest Inspection Concerns
Items of concern relating to the structural pest inspection are shown as follows:
 | WDO/WDI Infestation | Evidence of infestation of wood destroying insects or organisms (Live or dead insect bodies, fungal growth, etc.) |
 | WDO/WDI Damage | Damage caused by wood destroying insects or organisms (Rot, carpenter ant galleries, etc.) |
 | WDO/WDI Conducive conditions | Conditions conducive for wood destroying insects or organisms (Wood-soil contact, shrubs in contact with siding, roof or plumbing leaks, etc.) |
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.aspTable of Contents
General Information
Grounds
Exterior / Foundation
Roof / Attic
Electric
Plumbing / Fuel Systems
Water Heater
Heating
Cooling / Heat Pump
Kitchen
Bathrooms / Laundry / Sinks
Interior Rooms / Areas
| General Information | Return to table of contents |
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:| Grounds | Return to table of contents |
One or more deck, patio and/or porch covers were unstable due to substandard bracing, lack of diagonal bracing, or lack of attachment to the main building. This is a safety hazard since severe movement may cause the cover to collapse. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 19 |
Stairs were unsafe due to the following non standard configuration: risers too high. Standard building practices require that: Photo 54 |
Soil was in contact with or too close to wooden beams. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Standard building practices require the following clearances to soil below: Photo 14 |
Minor cracks, settlement, heaving and/or deterioration 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 may wish to have repairs made or have cracked sections replaced for aesthetic reasons.
Recommend resealing asphalt driveway.
Most areas of the deck substructure were inaccessible due to lack of access from limited height. These areas couldn't be evaluated and are excluded from the inspection.
 Photo 13 |
| Exterior / Foundation | Return to table of contents |
One or more pier or foundation footings were undermined, where soil has either eroded out from underneath, or has been excavated too close to the footing. Standard building practices typically require undisturbed soil to extend at least a foot horizontally out from the edge of footings, and then slope down no more steeply than 45 degrees. Otherwise soil may collapse from beneath the footing(s). A qualified contractor or engineer should evaluate and determine what repairs if any should be made. A qualified contractor should perform any repairs that may be needed.
 Photo 21 East side
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 Photo 22 East side
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Soil was 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.
 Photo 18 South side
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One or more minor cracks (1/8 inch or less) were found in the foundation. These don't appear to be a structural concern, but recommend sealing them to prevent water infiltration and monitoring them in the future. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including hydraulic cement, resilient caulks and epoxy sealants.
 Photo 12 South side
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The floor substructure was damaged in one or more areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary, and as per standard building practices. Photo 81 |
Rot or water damage was found at one or more sections of rafter tails. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.  Photo 9 South side
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Scrap wood, Cardboard was found in the crawl space. All cellulose-based debris or stored items should be removed to avoid attracting wood destroying insects.
 Photo 77 |
Some sections of siding and/or trim were damaged, loose, substandard. A qualified person should evaluate and repair, replace or install as necessary.
 Photo 2 Front stoop
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 Photo 3 Front stoop
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 Photo 5 Front stoop
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 Photo 7 South side
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 Photo 16 |
 Photo 20 SE corner
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Gaps/holes existed at one or more areas around the exterior. Gaps/holes should be sealed as necessary to prevent moisture intrusion, save energy and prevent entry by vermin.
 Photo 6 North side
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 Photo 10 South side
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 Photo 11 SE corner
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 Photo 24 South side
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The crawl space access hatch fit poorly. A qualified person should repair, replace or install as necessary to prevent water and vermin intrusion.  Photo 85 |
Some crawl space vent screens were missing, damaged. Animals such as vermin or pets may enter the crawl space and nest, die and/or leave feces and urine. A qualified person should replace damaged or deteriorated screens where necessary using screen material such as "hardware cloth" with 1/4 inch minimum gaps.
 Photo 4 North side
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 Photo 8 South side
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Evidence of prior water intrusion was found in one or more sections of the crawl space. For example, sediment stains on the vapor barrier or foundation, and/or efflorescence on the foundation. Accumulated water is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms and should not be present in the crawl space. The client should review any disclosure statements available and ask the property owner about past accumulation of water in the crawl space. The crawl space 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 crawl spaces include: Photo 82 |
No vapor barrier was installed in the crawl space. This can be a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms due to the likelihood of water evaporating into the building from the soil. A recommended upgrade would be for a qualified person to install a vapor barrier as per standard building practices.
Some foundation and/or footings sections were obscured by being below grade and couldn't be fully evaluated.
All concrete slab floor sections were obscured by flooring and couldn't be fully evaluated.
No insulation was installed under the floor in the crawl space. A recommended upgrade would be for a qualified contractor to install insulation for better energy efficiency and as per standard building practices with an R rating recommended for this area. For more information, visit: Photo 76 |
| Roof / Attic | Return to table of contents |
The ceiling insulation in some areas of the attic was missing, uneven. This may result in increased heating or cooling costs due to decreased energy efficiency. A qualified person should repair, replace or install insulation as necessary. For more information, visit: Photo 31 Above master bedroom
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 Photo 32 Above East bedroom
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The siding on one or more exterior walls above lower roof sections was in contact with or had less than a one inch gap between it and the roof surface below. A gap of at least one inch is recommended so water isn't wicked up into the siding from the shingles below, and also to provide room for additional layers of roofing materials when the current roof surface fails. Recommend having a qualified contractor make repairs as necessary, such as trimming siding, so at least a one inch gap exists between the siding and the roofing below where necessary.
 Photo 27 |
Rafter and/or barge board tails are exposed. Rain run-off from the roof will likely cause rot to occur in these boards. Recommend that shingles or flashing be installed above them to prevent rot.
One or more gutters were poorly sloped so that significant amounts of water accumulate in them rather than draining through the downspouts. This can cause gutters to overflow, especially when organic debris such as leaves or needles have accumulated in them. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as correcting the slope in gutters or installing additional downspouts and extensions if necessary.
 Photo 15 |
Extensions such as splashblocks or drain pipes for some, all 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
 Photo 17 SE corner
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One or more exhaust fan ducts in the attic were missing. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms due to increased moisture levels in the attic from the exhaust air. A qualified person should evaluate and make permanent repairs as necessary and as per standard building practices, so all exhaust air is vented outside.
 Photo 61 Bathroom exhaust fan
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No insulation was installed at the attic access hatch. Recommend installing insulation at hatch for better energy efficiency. For more information, visit:
One or more roof surface sections were designed so as to be much more likely to accumulate debris and snow. This includes the following: two slopes converge. Leaks may occur as a result. The client should monitor such areas for accumulated debris in the future and clean as necessary.
 Photo 28 |
Debris had accumulated in one or more gutters. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects since gutters may overflow and cause water to come in contact with the building exterior or make water accumulate around the foundation. Gutters should be cleaned now and as necessary in the future.
Trees were overhanging roof and were within 10 feet of roof vertically. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms since organic debris such as leaves or needles are more likely to accumulate on the roof surface. Accumulated debris may cause water to enter gaps in the roof surface and leak into attic and/or interior spaces. Trees should be pruned so they are at least 10 feet above roof, or don't overhang the roof.
 Photo 29 |
 Photo 30 |
The roof structure may need repair in one or more areas due to the following conditions: cracked or broken rafters. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary, and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 34 |
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 about past leaks. The client should monitor these areas in the future, especially after heavy rains, to determine if active leaks exist. If leaks are found, a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.| Electric | Return to table of contents |
Panel #A was corroded. This is a safety hazard for shock and/or fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 42 |
 Photo 43 |
Panel #A used older style, "Edison" base fuses. This type of fuse allows anyone to install incorrectly rated fuses, possibly resulting in damage to wiring. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate this panel and the wiring to determine if damage has occurred, and repair or replace components and/or wiring as necessary.
 Photo 47 |
Grounding at panel #A appeared to be substandard. This is a potential hazard for shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 44 |
Some wiring was loose, unsupported, or inadequately supported. Standard building practices require non-metallic sheathed wiring to be trimmed to length, attached to runners or to solid backing with fasteners at intervals of 4-1/2 ft. or less. Fasteners should be installed within 12 inches of all enclosures. A qualified, licensed electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, trim wire to length and/or install staples as needed.
 Photo 35 |
 Photo 40 |
One or more sections of wiring that weren't terminated were found. This is a potential safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, cutting the wire to length and terminating the wire with wire nuts in a securely anchored, covered, properly sized junction box.
 Photo 33 |
 Photo 39 |
One or more screws were missing from the cover to panel #A and should be replaced. Because energized wiring may exist behind the holes with the missing screws, recommend that a qualified, licensed electrician replace these screws, or that care be taken to ensure that the new screws do not come in contact with wiring inside the panel when they are installed. Stock screws from the panel manufacturer should be used, or their equivalent.
Many cover plates on junction boxes were missing. 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. A qualified person should repair as necessary.
 Photo 36 |
 Photo 38 |
One or more electric receptacles and/or the boxes they are installed in were 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.
 Photo 50 |
 Photo 53 |
Some electric receptacles had reverse-polarity wiring, where the hot and neutral wires are reversed. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 48 |
Some open ground, three-pronged grounding type receptacles were found. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.  Photo 49 |
One or more ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) type receptacles were found to have an open ground. GFCI protection will still work with an open ground, but ideally repairs should be made as necessary so grounding is correct with these receptacles. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
One or more ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) electric receptacles wouldn't trip, wouldn't trip with test instrument at the following "wet" locations: bathroom(s). This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
Smoke detectors were missing from bedrooms. Additional smoke detectors should be installed as necessary so a functioning one exists in each hallway leading to bedrooms, in each bedroom, and one each level of the building. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html
This property had one or more fuel burning appliances and/or an attached garage, and no carbon monoxide detectors were visible. This is a safety hazard. Recommend installing one or more carbon monoxide detectors as necessary and as per the manufacturer's instructions. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05017.html
The legend for overcurrent protection devices (breakers or fuses) in panel #A, B was missing. Recommend installing, updating or correcting the legend as necessary so it's accurate. Evaluation by a qualified electrician may be necessary.
 Photo 45 |
 Photo 46 |
One or more electric receptacles appeared to have no power. Recommend asking the property owner about this. Switches may need to be operated to make some receptacles energized. If necessary, a qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 64 Under kitchen sink
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 Photo 75 South side
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The electric service to this property appeared to be rated at substantially less than 200 amps, and may be inadequate for the client's needs. Recommend consulting with a qualified electrician about upgrading to a 200 amp service.
Gaps in wall surface materials existed around the edges of one or more cover plates to electric boxes.
One or more three-way light switches appear to be incorrectly wired, so the light(s) don't operate correctly. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 51 |
 Photo 52 |
Some bulbs in light fixtures were inoperable. As a result, some light fixtures couldn't be fully evaluated. Recommend replacing bulbs to fully evaluate fixtures where necessary.
| Plumbing / Fuel Systems | Return to table of contents |
One or more outside faucets were 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 building. If a chemical sprayer is being used with the hose, those chemicals can enter the water supply pipes.
One or more sections of gas supply pipes were loose or had substandard support. Standard building practices require that gas supply piping be supported by clamps as follows: Photo 79 |
 Photo 80 |
One or more sections of waste pipes had a substandard slope. Clogging or leaks may occur as a result. Standard building practices typically require a slope of 1/4 inch per foot of length. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary, and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 83 |
One or more sections of copper pipe were found in the gas supply pipes. Some municipalities don't allow this. Standard building practices require that black steel pipe or plastic coated steel pipe be used in most cases. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and replace pipe or make repairs if necessary.
 Photo 57 |
One or more sections of water supply pipes were loose or had substandard support. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary, and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 84 |
All water supply pipes in the crawl space were uninsulated. Recommend insulating pipes as per standard building practices for better energy efficiency and to prevent water pipes from freezing.
 Photo 78 |
Water supply lines were routed outside and are subject to freezing. Pipe wrap or foam sleeves are inexpensive and easily installed. Recommend insulating pipes as necessary to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
 Photo 23 Hose bib in backyard
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 Photo 25 North side
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The inspector was not able to find the main water shut-off valve. The client should consult with the property owner 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.
 Photo 26 South side
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Recommend having the septic tank inspected. Recommend having the tank pumped if it was last pumped more than 3 years ago.
| Water Heater | Return to table of contents |
Combustible materials were too close to the flue pipe. This is a fire hazard. Combustible materials should be moved well away from the flue or repairs made by a qualified contractor as necessary. Standard building practices typically require the following clearances: Photo 37 |
 Photo 41 Water heater flue
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 Photo 55 Water heater flue through closet shelf
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 Photo 56 Water heater flue through ceiling
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No drain line was 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 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.
 Photo 60 |
The water heater's seismic straps or struts were substandard. For example, they may allow significant movement or use improper fasteners. This is a potential safety hazard. Leaks may also occur in water supply pipes. A qualified person should evaluate and either repair existing straps or install new straps or struts as necessary and as per standard building practices.
 Photo 58 |
 Photo 59 |
No water supply shut-off valve was visible for the water heater. A shut-off valve allows the supply to the water heater to be turned off when the water heater needs repair or replacement, while allowing the remainder of the plumbing system to be operable (toilets, sinks, etc.). Recommend having a qualified, licensed plumbing contractor determine if a water supply shut-off valve exists, and install one if it is missing.
The estimated useful life for most water heaters is 8 to 12 years. This water heater appears to be near, at this age and/or its useful lifespan and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
| Heating | Return to table of contents |
There is no visible heat source in the structure.
| Cooling / Heat Pump | Return to table of contents |
This cooling or heat pump system was not fully evaluated because the water supply was turned off. Recommend that a full evaluation be made by a qualified person when conditions have been corrected so the system is operable. Note that as per the standards of practice for NACHI (http://www.nachi.org) and ASHI (www.ashi.org), the inspector is not required to operate or replace overcurrent protection devices, or operate any controls other than "normal controls".
| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
The sink sprayer base was loose. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 62 Sink sprayer
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One or more sink faucets were loose. A qualified person should repair as necessary.
 Photo 65 Wet bar
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One or more sink drains used flexible drain pipe. This type of drain pipe is more likely to clog than smooth wall pipe. Recommend having a qualified plumber replace this pipe with standard plumbing components (smooth wall pipe) to prevent clogged drains.
 Photo 63 Kitchen sink
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No "air gap" was installed for the dishwasher drain line. Air gaps are a device meant to prevent water from the sink drain or food disposal from entering the dishwasher. These are required in some municipalities for new construction and when remodeling. The client should consult with a qualified contractor to determine if an air gap should be installed.
Some cabinet surfaces, drawers and/or doors showed minor wear.
Minor wear was found at the kitchen sink.
| Bathrooms / Laundry / Sinks | Return to table of contents |
The flow from the bathtub's hot, cold water supply was low at location #A. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
The bathtub drain stopper mechanism at location #A was inoperable. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
Caulk was missing by the floor, wall at the bathtub at location #A. A qualified person should repair as necessary.
 Photo 67 |
 Photo 68 |
 Photo 69 |
The sink drain stopper mechanism at location #A was inoperable. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
Minor damage was found at the sink at location #A.
 Photo 66 |
Minor wear was found at the bathtub at location #A.
No exhaust fan was installed in the laundry area. Exhaust fans in wet areas prevent moisture from accumulating, and causing mold growth and/or damage to building components. They are especially important in the relatively airtight houses that have been built recently. A recommended upgrade would be for a qualified contractor to install an exhaust fan as per standard building practices. Recommend that a switch with a built-in timer be installed to control it.
| Interior Rooms / Areas | Return to table of contents |
This structure was built prior to 1979 and may contain lead paint. Laws were enacted in 1978 in the US preventing the use of lead paint in residential structures. Lead is a known safety hazard, especially to children but also to adults. The paint found in and around this structure appeared to be intact and may be encapsulated by more recent layers of paint that are not lead-based. Regardless, recommend following precautions as described in the following links to Consumer Products Safety Commission website articles regarding possible lead paint:
The weatherstrip around one or more exterior doors was substandard. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
 Photo 74 |
interior doors were difficult to latch. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
 Photo 70 Master bedroom closet door
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Some interior door hardware, including locksets, strike plates were missing. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
 Photo 71 Master bedroom closet door
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 Photo 72 |
 Photo 73 Bathroom door
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Trim was missing in some areas. A qualified person should repair as necessary.
Fixtures such as door stops were missing in one or more areas. A qualified person should install missing fixtures as per standard building practices.
No doorbell is installed at the main entrance. The client should consider installing one.
Minor cracks and/or holes were found in walls and ceilings in one or more areas. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but the client may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.