| Home Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | John & Jane Doe |
| Property address: | Buffalo, NY 14223 |
| Inspection date: | Tuesday, June 26, 2007 |
This report is the exclusive property of Signature Property Inspection and the clients listed in the report title. Use of this report by any unauthorized persons is prohibited.
 | 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 servicable condition |
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
Exterior
Roof
Garage
Attic
Electric service
Water heater
Heating and cooling
Plumbing and laundry
Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys
Basement
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Interior rooms
| General information | Return to table of contents |
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
| Exterior | Return to table of contents |
One or more outdoor electric receptacles 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 outdoor receptacles have GFCI protection. For example, install GFCI receptacles or circuit breaker(s) as needed. See also http://www.easy2diy.com/
 Photo 18 Exterior outlet. (Non GFCI rated)
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Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines are in contact with or less than one foot from the structure's 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 structure's exterior.
 Photo 5 Shrubbery in contact with structure. (Southwest corner)
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Trees and/or shrubs are in contact with or are close to the roof edge in one or more areas. Damage to the roof may result, especially during high winds. Vegetation can also act as a conduit for wood destroying insects. Vegetation should be pruned back and/or removed as necessary to prevent damage and infestation by wood destroying insects.
 Photo 2 Trees in contact with structure. (East gutter)
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Shrubbery is blocking the furnace intake/ exhaust. Recommend pruning the shrubs back so as to not interfere with the proper functioning of the furnace. A blockage may cause a high pressure fault, causing the furnace to shut down.
 Photo 6 Shrubbery blocking furnace intake/ exhaust. (South facing)
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 Photo 1 Gutter clogged with leaves & debris. (East gutter)
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| Roof | Return to table of contents |
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.
 Photo 17 Damaged roof shingle.
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Debris such as leaves, needles, seeds, etc. have accumulated on the roof. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms since water may not flow easily off the roof, and may enter gaps in the roof surface. Leaks may occur as a result. Debris should be cleaned from the roof now and as necessary in the future.
 Photo 20 Accumulated needles and debris in roof valley.
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Moss is growing on the roof. As a result, shingles may lift or be damaged. Leaks may result and/or the roof surface may fail prematurely. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Efforts should be taken to kill the moss during its growing season (wet months). Typically zinc-based chemicals are used for this, and must be applied periodically. For information on various moss treatment products and their pros and cons, visit http://bryophytes.science.oregonstate.edu/page24.htm Photo 3 Moss growth. (North facing)
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| Garage | Return to table of contents |
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 contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
Weatherstrip around or at the bottom of the garage-house door is missing. It should be installed where missing and as necessary to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces.
| Attic | Return to table of contents |
Extension cords are being used as permanent wiring in one or more areas. They should only be used for portable equipment on a temporary basis. Using extension cords as permanent wiring poses a fire and shock hazard. Extension cords may be undersized. Connections may not be secure, resulting in power fluctuations, damage to equipment, and sparks that could start a fire. Extension cords should be removed as necessary, or a qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, install additional circuits and/or electric receptacles.
 Photo 8 Overheated cord, melted into stored styrofoam. (Attic)
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 Photo 9 Extension cord used to wire fixture. (Attic)
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One or more exhaust fans have no duct and terminate in the attic. 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 contractor should install ducts and vent caps as necessary and as per standard building practices so exhaust air is vented outside. Better building practices call for R8 rated insulation on these ducts.
 Photo 11 Improperly vented bathroom exhaust. (Attic)
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 Photo 25 Improperly vented Kitchen exhaust. (Attic)
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One or more attic vents are blocked by insulation and/or debris. This can reduce air flow through the attic, reduce the life of the roof surface because of high temperatures, and/or increase moisture levels in the attic. Repairs should be made as necessary, such as moving insulation or debris, so vents are unobstructed.
 Photo 10 Insulation too tight at eave. (Attic)
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| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
This property has one or more Federal Pacific Electric brand main service or sub panels that use "Stab-Lok" circuit breakers. Both double and single pole versions of these circuit breakers are known to fail by not tripping when they are supposed to. This is a potential but serious fire hazard. Recommend having a qualified electrician replace any and all Federal Pacific panels. For more information, visit: http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm Photo 24 FPE electric panel with "Stab-lok" breakers.
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| Water heater | Return to table of contents |
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/
 Photo 14 Domestic water heater.
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| Heating and cooling | Return to table of contents |
The outside condensing unit is not level. Damage may occur if it is more than ten degrees off from level. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as replacing the pad that the condensing unit is installed on.
 Photo 7 A/C Condensing unit with electric disconnect.
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Air handler filter(s) are dirty and should be washed now. They should be checked monthly in the future and washed as necessary.
 Photo 13 High efficiency gas furnace with electrostatic air cleaner.
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| Plumbing and laundry | Return to table of contents |
 Photo 15 Natural gas meter & main shut off.
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 Photo 21 Water pressure. (71 P.S.I.)
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 Photo 22 Main domestic water shut off and meter.
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| Fireplaces, woodstoves and chimneys | Return to table of contents |
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.
 Photo 19 Crumbling mortar below chimney cap
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| Basement | Return to table of contents |
One electric receptacle has burn or scorch marks on it. Receptacle and/or wiring to it may be damaged. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary, such as replacing damaged receptacle and/or wiring.
 Photo 12 "Arced" electrical outlet. (Basement)
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Flexible lamp or appliance cord is being used for permanent wiring in one or more areas. This wiring is not intended to be used as permanent wiring, and poses a safety hazard of shock and fire. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
 Photo 16 Dry rot lamp cord. (Basement)
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 Photo 23 Frayed lamp cord at light fixture. (Basement)
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| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
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.
One faucet leaks by the handle when turned on. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary.
| Bathrooms | Return to table of contents |
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.
Caulk is missing or deteriorated above the bathtub, where the tub surround meets the tub. It should be replaced where deteriorated and/or applied where missing to prevent water intrusion and damage to the wall structure.
| Interior rooms | Return to table of contents |
An insufficient number of smoke alarms are installed. Additional smoke alarms should be installed as necessary so a functioning one exists in each hallway leading to bedrooms, and in each bedroom. For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html