Helping Solutions, LLC
Website: http://www.reporthost.com/helpingsolutions
Email: scott.farabaugh@live.com
Phone: (814) 215-9320
2309 13th St
Altoona PA 16601-3017
Inspector: Scott Farabaugh
Home Inspection Report
Prepared by Scott Farabaugh |
| Client(s): |
Joe Doe |
| Property address: |
1234 dartmouth LN
Altoona PA 16602 |
| Inspection date: |
9/12/2011 |
This report published on Monday, September 12, 2011 10:10:01 PM EDT
View summary page
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.. I would like to thank you for using Helping Solutions, LLC to meet your Home Inspection needs. After you recieve this report, please reply to me and let me know you recieved the report. If you have any questions about the report please contact me at any time. Thank you again for your business.
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: | 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 |
 | Comment | For 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
Report number: 0001
Inspector's name: Scott Farabaugh
Structures inspected: Complete house, attached garage
Type of building: Triplex
Age of building: 35
Property owner's name: Joe Doe
Time started: 1300
Time finished: 1615
Inspection Fee: 300
Payment method: Check
Present during inspection: Property owner(s)
Occupied: Yes
Weather conditions: Clear
Temperature: Hot 80 degrees
Ground condition: Damp
Front of structure faces: North, East
Main entrance faces: North, East
Foundation type: Finished basement
The following items are excluded from this inspection: Private sewage disposal system, Private well, Central vacuum system
1)
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
Cost estimate:
$
40
2)
Some wall, floor and/or ceiling surfaces were obscured by furniture and/or stored items. Some areas couldn't be evaluated.
Footing material: Poured in place concrete
Foundation material: Stone
Apparent wall structure: Wood frame
Wall covering: Vinyl
Driveway material: Asphalt
Sidewalk material: Poured in place concrete
Exterior door material: Solid core wood
3)
Handrail(s) at some stairs are loose. This is a safety hazard. A qualified contractor should make repairs as necessary. For example, installing new fasteners and/or hardware so handrails are securely attached.
4)
One or more driveway drains appear to be clogged. Water may accumulate at the structure or in low spots as a result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
5)
One or more areas of the grounds around the structure have significantly soggy soil, standing water or indications of accumulated water at times (sediment, dead grass, etc.). Recommend consulting with a qualified contractor who specializes in drainage, to determine if or what repairs are needed to provide adequate drainage. Possible repairs may involve grading soil, or installing, repairing and/or replacing underground drains.
6)
The perimeter grading slopes towards the structure in one or more areas. 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. Wet soil may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. Recommend grading soil so it slopes down and away from the structure with a slope of at least 5% (10% or better is optimal) for at least 6 feet.
7)
One or more downspouts are dented, damaged and/or crushed. This can restrict the water flow and result in clogging and overflowing gutters. Water may accumulate 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. Damaged downspouts should be repaired or replaced as necessary, and by a qualified contractor if necessary.
8)
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. Requires chiseling a channel in the crack to apply.
Resilient caulks (easy to apply).
Epoxy sealants (both a waterproof and structural repair).
9)
Recommend resealing asphalt driveway.
10)
Recommend cleaning deck(s) and treating with a preservative claiming to waterproof, block ultraviolet light, and stop mildew. Consumer Reports recommends these products:
Cabot Decking Stain and PTW Stain
Olympic Water Repellent Deck Stain
Thompson's House and Deck Stain
Wolman PTW Deck Stain
Akzo Sikkens Cetol DEK
Benjamin Moore Moorwood Clear Wood Finish
DAP Woodlife Premium
Olympic Natural Look Protector Plus
Roof inspection method: Traversed
Roof type: A-frame
Roof covering: Asphalt or fiberglass composition shingles
Estimated age of roof: 15 years
Gutter & downspout material: Aluminum
Roof ventilation: Adequate
11)
One or more plumbing vent pipes are blocked by debris or other items. Sewer gases may enter living spaces as a result. Debris or blocking items should be removed so all vent pipes are unobstructed.
Inspection method: Traversed
Roof structure type: Trusses, Rafters
Ceiling structure: Trusses
Insulation material: Fiberglass roll or batt
Insulation depth: 10 inches
Insulation estimated R value: 40
12)
One or more hornet, bee and/or wasp nests were found. These can pose a safety hazard. Nest(s) should be removed as necessary.
Primary service type: Overhead
Primary service overload protection type: Circuit breakers
Service amperage (amps): 100
Service voltage (volts): 120
Location of main disconnect: Breaker at top of main service panel
Service entrance conductor material: Aluminum
System ground: Cold water supply pipes
Main disconnect rating (amps): 100
Solid strand aluminum branch circuit wiring present: Yes
Smoke detectors present: Yes
Estimated age: <5 years
Type: Tank
Energy source: Natural gas
Capacity (in gallons): 65
Manufacturer: American Standard
13)
The inner flame shield for the water heater combustion chamber is missing, loose, or improperly fitted. This is a potential fire hazard. Repairs should be made as necessary, and by a qualified contractor if necessary, to replace, reinstall or repair the flame shield as necessary.
Estimated age: 10
Primary heating system energy source: Natural gas
Primary heat system type: Forced air
Primary A/C energy source: Electric
Primary Air conditioning type: Split system
Distribution system: Sheet metal ducts
Manufacturer: American Standard
Filter location: At the top of the furnace
14)
Insulation is missing on one or more heating/cooling ducts in unconditioned spaces. A qualified contractor should evaluate and install insulation as necessary and as per standard building practices.
15)
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.
16)
Air handler filter(s) are dirty and should be replaced now. They should be checked monthly in the future and replaced as necessary.
17)
Recommend buying oil tank replacement insurance, available from many full-service oil providers. This can cover up to 100% of the replacement costs of an oil tank and usually costs less than a few dollars per month.
Water pressure (psi): 70 psi
Location of main water shut-off valve: basement
Location of main water meter: ouside
Location of main fuel shut-off: outside
Visible fuel storage systems: no
Water service: Public
Service pipe material: Copper
Supply pipe material: Copper
Vent pipe material: Cast iron
Drain pipe material: Plastic
Waste pipe material: Plastic
18)
This property has both a septic system and a water softener system, and the water softener's discharge line appears to be routed into the septic waste line. There is some debate as to whether this configuration is advisable because of the following:
Salt in the discharge water may kill the needed bacteria, causing sludge to build up, and possibly plugging the lines.
Salt may interact with clay in the leach field soil and cause the water to not disperse.
The discharge cycle may disturb the septic tank when it cycles (usually at night), and prevent sludge from settling, resulting in sludge escaping from the tank.
Marginally sized septic tanks can be overwhelmed by the volume of water during the discharge cycle and may cause sludge to escape.
Recommend that the client(s) consult with one or more contractors who specialize in septic systems and water softeners for more information.
19)
Neither the clothes washer nor dryer were operated or evaluated. They are excluded from this inspection.
20)
A sump pump is installed on the premises. This may indicate that water accumulates inside or below the structure. Recommend asking the property owners how often the sump pump operates and for how long at different times of the year. Also, the clients should be aware that the service life of most sump pumps is between five and seven years, and that the pump may need replacing soon depending on its age and how much it operates.
Fireplace type: Masonry
Chimney type: Masonry
21)
Significant amounts of ashes, wood and/or debris are in the fireplace. The inspector was unable to fully evaluate it.
Inspection method: Viewed from hatch
Insulation material underneath floor above: None visible
Pier or support post material: Wood
Beam material: Solid wood
Floor structure above: Solid wood joists
Vapor barrier present: No
22)
Evidence of "light to moderate" rodent infestation was found in one or more areas. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines this as less than 20 feces per square foot. Rodent infestation may be a safety hazard due to the risk of contracting Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). HPS is a rare (only 20-50 cases per year in the United states) but deadly (40% mortality rate) disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. For example, from sweeping up rodent droppings.
Recommend following guidelines in the CDC's Clean Up, Trap Up, Seal Up article for eradicating rodents, cleaning up their waste and nesting materials, and preventing future infestations. While Hantavirus is believed to survive less than one week in droppings and urine, specific precautions should be taken during clean up. The client(s) may wish to consult with a qualified, licensed pest control operator for eliminating the infestation. A qualified licensed abatement contractor or industrial hygienist could be contacted for clean up. If the infestation was minimal, clean up of rodent waste and nesting materials in non-living spaces (crawl spaces and attics) may not be necessary, or may be performed for aesthetic reasons only (odor and appearance).
23)
The crawl space ventilation is substandard, or none exists. This may result in high levels of moisture in the crawl space and can be a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Standard building practices require one square foot of vent area for 150 to 200 square feet of crawl space. Vents should be evenly distributed and within a few feet of corners to promote air circulation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and install vents as per standard building practices.
24)
Some crawl space areas were inaccessible due to low height (less than 18 inches), ductwork or pipes blocking, standing water, and/or stored items. These areas are excluded from this inspection.
Insulation material underneath floor above: Fiberglass roll or batt
Pier or support post material: Bearing wall
Floor structure above: Solid wood joists
25)
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.
26)
One or more exterior entrance doors are damaged and/or deteriorated and should be repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor.
Location of tank shut off valve: basement
27)
The estimated useful life for most well pumps is 15 to 20 years. Based on information provided to the inspector, or evidence found during the inspection, the well pump may be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
28)
The estimated useful life for most steel pressure tanks is 15 to 25 years. Based on information provided to the inspector, or evidence found during the inspection, the pressure tank may be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
29)
Recommend cleaning and sealing grout in countertops now and in the future as necessary to prevent staining and to improve waterproofing.
30)
The enamel coating on one or more bathtubs is damaged and/or deteriorated. For example, chipped or worn, and/or rust on some exposed steel. However, no leaks were found due to the deterioration. The client(s) should evaluate to determine if the bathtub(s) should be refinished or replaced.
31)
Minor damage and/or deterioration was found at countertops in one or more areas. The client(s) should evaluate and consider having repairs made, and/or countertops replaced where necessary.
32)
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.
33)
One or more deadbolt mechanisms are inoperable or difficult to operate. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
34)
Carpeting in one or more rooms is loose. Recommend having a qualified carpeting installation contractor restretch carpet as necessary.
Please see and read the attached Scope of Limitation form, Stardards of Practice,MoldIinspection Agreement ( if applicable ),Radon inspection agreement ( if applicable ),INTERNACHI agreement,Insurance Addendum,and the Wood Destroying Insect report ( if applicable )