| S.H.I.R.E. Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | David Kimball |
| Property address: | Timmerman Rd Canastota, NY |
| Inspection date: | Thursday, June 07, 2007 |
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.
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315-697-7701 or 315-420-2832
 | Safety | Poses a risk of injury or death |
 | Major defect | Correction likely involves a significant expense |
 | 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 |
 | Serviceable | Item or component is in serviceable condition |
 | 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| General information |
Structures built prior to 1979 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(s) should consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygenists, professional labs and/or abatement contractors for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit these websites:| Exterior |
An area of the footer, for the foundation, was found to be undermined under the rear deck, a structural concern and an indication that settlement is ongoing. The client(s) should consider hiring qualified contractors and/or engineers as necessary for further evaluation. Such contractors may include:
The sill plate beam, behind the deck ledger board is completly rotted due to no flashing installed. Although there are posts at the ends of the deck, there is none in the center at the main carrying beam and relies on the sill beam to support it. The client(s) should consider hiring qualified contractors and/or engineers as necessary for further evaluation
See photo 27 See photo 28
One or more deck ledger boards are nailed to the structure rather than being attached by adequate fasteners. This poses a significant safety hazard since the ledger board(s) may separate from the structure, causing the deck(s) to collapse. A qualified contractor should install lag screws or bolts as per standard building practices to securely attach the ledger board(s) to the structure. For more information on installing deck ledger boards visit: http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/decks/deck_4.htm
Flashing is missing from above one or more deck ledger boards. This can cause moisture to accumulate between the ledger board(s) and the structure. Rot has resulted in this area and may cause the ledger board fasteners to fail. The deck may separate from the structure in this event and poses a significant safety hazard. A qualified contractor should install flashing above ledger board(s) where necessary. For more information on installing deck ledger boards visit: http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/decks/deck_4.htm
One or more major cracks (more than 3/4 inch wide) were found in the foundation. These appear to be a structural concern, and may indicate that settlement is ongoing. The client(s) are strongly advised to hire qualified contractors and/or engineers as necessary for further evaluation. Such contractors may include:
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.
See photo 3
One or more gutters are missing. 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, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. A qualified contractor should install gutters and downspouts where missing. Also, extensions such as splashblocks or tie-ins to underground drain lines should be installed as necessary to carry rain water away from the house.
One or more wooden deck support posts are in contact with soil, and are rotten. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Standard building practices require that there be at least 6" of space between any wood and the soil below, even if the wood is treated. If possible, soil should be removed or graded so a 6" clearance is maintained. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as replacing rotten posts, or trimming rotten post bases and installing concrete and metal post bases. If possible, soil should be removed or graded so a 6" clearance is maintained. Otherwise recommend installing borate based Impel rods to prevent rot.
See photo 29
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.
See photo 3
Recommend cleaning deck(s) and railing(s) and treating with a preservative claiming to waterproof, block ultraviolet light, and stop mildew. Consumer Reports recommends these products:
One or more sections of foundation and/or exterior walls are excluded from this inspection due to lack of access from vegetation, debris and/or stored items.
| Roof |
The roof surface material appears to be near the end of its service life and will likely need replacing in the near future, even with repairs. The client(s) should budget for a replacement roof surface, and may want to have a qualified roofing contractor evaluate and attempt to issue a "5 year roof certificate".
One or more composition shingles are damaged, deteriorated and/or missing, and should be replaced. Leaks may occur as a result. A qualified roofing contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
See photo 6 See photo 8 | Garage |
One or more wall and/or ceiling surfaces between the attached garage and interior living spaces have gaps, holes, or missing or inadequate surface materials. These surfaces are intended to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces, and to slow the spread of fire from the garage to living spaces. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary so the attached garage wall and ceiling surfaces that adjoin living spaces are tightly sealed and fire rated as per standard building practices. Typically these surfaces require a one-hour fire rating.
The roof on the garage is sagging due to broken or missing collar ties, no support under the load bearing wall that was removed when the garage was extended and the missing post at the rear of the same removed wall. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace the post and/or add collar ties, after jacking.
See photo 2 See photo 10 See photo 26
The garage-house door poses a fire risk because it's not fire-rated (metal or solid-core construction). A qualified contractor should replace this door with a fire-rated door.
See photo 11
The interior perimeter of the garage is excluded from this inspection due to lack of access from stored items.
| Attic |
No accessible attic spaces were found or inspected for the 2 story section at this property.
| Electric service |
| Water heater |
The hot water temperature is greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of scalding. The thermostat should be adjusted so the water temperature doesn't exceed 120 degrees. For more information on scalding dangers, visit http://www.tap-water-burn.com/
| Heating and cooling |
The oil tank appears to be heavily rusted and may astart to leak in the near future. We recommend that the tank be replaced or at minimum inspected and tested by an approved vendor. The leaking of heating oil is a dangerous and costly environmental hazard.
See photo 24
The last service date of this system appears to be more than two years 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 two years ago, a qualified heating and cooling contractor should inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed every few years in the future, or as per the contractor's recommendations.
| Plumbing and laundry |
No clothes dryer exhaust duct is installed. Clothes dryers produce large amounts of moisture which should not enter structure interiors. Damage to building components may result. A rigid or semi-rigid metal exhaust duct should be installed as per standard building practices, and by a qualified contractor if necessary. For information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html
Neither the clothes washer nor dryer were operated or evaluated. They are excluded from this inspection.
| Basement |
We recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair the rotted floor joist at the south wing, east side, near the wall.
See photo 15
The sill beam is partially rotted out at the south east corner, of the east wing,[where the cistern was removed] and the short posts, supporting the beam that was installed to replace it, are rotted from the ongoing water intrusion.
See photo 16 See photo 17 See photo 18 See photo 19
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.
See photo 13
The base of all the wood support posts are rotted, even the newer ones that were installed on the section of new floor joists, that replaced the deteriorated joists. We recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair such as the posts be cut off or replaced with treated posts and/or concrete piers poured under them, to reduce the risk of the posts to rot.
See photo 16 See photo 18 See photo 21 See photo 22
Wooden support posts are not securely fastened to beams above. This is a safety hazard since they can separate during a seismic event or from vibration. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as installing metal ties, bracing with lumber and/or plywood gussets as per standard building practices.
See photo 23
Standing water and/or wet areas were found in one or more sections of the basement. Accumulated water is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms and should not be present in the basement. A qualified contractor who specializes in drainage issues should evaluate and repair as necessary. Typical repairs for preventing water from accumulating in the basement include:| Well |
This property's water pressure was below 40 psi at times during the inspection. 40-80 psi is considered to be the normal range for water pressure in a home. Most well equipment operates in a 20 psi range during its use and recharge cycle. The client(s) may find that the lower pressures in this range may not be adequate. For example, when one person is showering and another is using other plumbing fixtures. Modifications can be made such as adjusting or replacing the pressure regulator switch. Recommend having a qualified well or plumbing contractor evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For more information, visit http://www.wellowner.org/awellmaintenance/waterpressure.shtml
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.
See photo 12 | Kitchen |
One or more electric receptacles that serve countertop surfaces within six feet of a sink appear to have no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate to determine if GFCI protection exists, and if not, repairs should be made so that all receptacles that serve countertop surfaces within six feet of sinks have GFCI protection. For example, install GFCI receptacles or circuit breaker(s) as needed.
The counters are not securely fastened to the wall. There is an outlet behind the backsplash. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of the counter falling. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
No range hood is installed over the range or cook top. Ventilation and/or lighting may be inadequate and moisture may accumulate indoors. Recommend having a qualified contractor install a vented and lighted range hood, with the exhaust fan configured so as to vent outdoors.
| Bathrooms |
One or more electric receptacles that serve countertop surfaces within six feet of a sink appear to have no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate to determine if GFCI protection exists, and if not, repairs should be made so that all receptacles that serve countertop surfaces within six feet of sinks have GFCI protection. For example, install GFCI receptacles or circuit breaker(s) as needed.
| Interior rooms |
Relatively few electric receptacles are installed in one or more interior rooms. This can result in "octopus" wiring with extension cords, which is a fire hazard. A qualified electrician should evaluate and install additional receptacles as necessary and as per standard building practices.
See photo 25 | Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys |
The masonry chimney's mortar is deteriorated and should be repaired to prevent further, significant deterioration. Recommend having a qualified chimney service contractor or mason evaluate chimney and repair as necessary. This will likely require repointing the mortar.
The masonry chimney crown is missing and needs replacement. 
