 | Southeast Home InspectionsWebsite: http://southeastinspections.infoEmail: southeastinspections@charter.net Phone: (985) 981-0044 · (225) 695-6741 FAX: (225) 695-6741 Southeast Home Inspections 26565 Hwy 444 Springfield LA 70462 Inspector: Michael DePhillips LSBHI #10480, NACHI #06061890 |
| Home Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | Sample Report of Southeast Home Inspections |
| Property address: | 20430 Anywhere Drive Springfield LA 70462 |
| Inspection date: | Saturday, June 16, 2007 |
[b]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. Southeast Home Inspections inspects a home to analyze the MAJOR DEFECTS on premises at time of inspection for the client to evaluate and consider. Southeast Home Inspections makes no warranty as to any component of home inspected and does not perform a technically exhaustive inspection testing all systems by experts but supplies a visual observation of home condition and components for customer determination.
 | Safety | Poses a risk of injury or death |
 | Repair/Replace | Recommend repairing or replacing by a qualified professional. |
 | Repair/Maintain | Recommend repair and/or maintenance |
 | Minor defect | Correction likely involves only a minor expense |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend further evaluation by a qualified professional |
 | 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.aspTable of Contents
General Information
Grounds
Exterior / Foundation
Roof / Attic
Electric
Plumbing / Fuel Systems
Water Heater
Cooling / Heat Pump
Fireplaces / Stoves / Chimneys
Kitchen
Bathrooms / Laundry / Sinks
Interior Rooms / Areas
| General Information | Return to table of contents |
Based on non standard construction observed, additions to this property may have been made without the owner having attained permits or inspections from the municipality. Work may have been performed by someone other than a qualified contractor or person. The client should consult with the property owner about this, and if necessary research permits.| Grounds | Return to table of contents |
Self-closing devices on one or more gates used with pool or spa fencing were missing. This is a safety hazard because these devices are intended to control access to the pool or spa, especially for children. A qualified person should repair, replace or install as necessary.
One or more planter boxes were installed on property in past and have since been removed leaving small holes in siding from screws or nails which should be sealed to prevent moisture instrusion which may lead to rot. Recommend repair to these areas on front of home near windows.
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.
Trees were in contact with or were close to the building in one or more areas. Damage 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.
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.
Minor cracks, settlement, heaving and/or deterioration were found in one or more sidewalk or patio sections. 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.
| Exterior / Foundation | Return to table of contents |
Rot or water damage was found at one or more sections of soffits, fascia. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.
The exterior finish in some areas was failing. A qualified contractor should prep (pressure wash, scrape, sand, prime caulk, etc.) and repaint or restain areas as needed and as per standard building practices.
Many concrete slab floor sections were obscured by furniture, carpeting, flooring and couldn't be fully evaluated.
| Roof / Attic | Return to table of contents |
Rot or water damage was found at one or more sections of the roof structure, including: soffits, fascia. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.
Flashings at the base of one or more chimneys were deteriorated. Leaks may occur as a result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
The attic access hatch was too small to allow easy access for periodic evaluation of the attic. Standard building practices require hatches to be at least 22 by 30 inches in size, and in accessible areas. Recommend having a qualified contractor enlarge the attic access as per standard building practices.
Some sections of the 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 and attempt to issue a "5 year roof certificate".
Panel edge clips (also known as "H clips") were not installed between roof sheathing panels. Standard building practices require that these be installed with wide truss or rafter spacing (24 inches o.c.) and with thin sheathing (3/8 inch). Lack of these clips may result in sheathing sagging between rafters or trusses. This may also void the warranty on some brands of shingles.
All attic and roof structure sections more than 20 feet from the access hatch(es) were inaccessible due to stored items. These areas are excluded from the inspection.
Attic spaces greater than 30 inches in height appeared to exist in this building, but access didn't exist at the time of the inspection for reasons stated above. Recommend making adequate access as necessary (move stored items, install hatch, etc.) and evaluating these attic spaces.
| Electric | Return to table of contents |
One or more ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) electric receptacles 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.
One or more electric receptacles at the following "wet" locations appeared to have no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection: bathroom(s), exterior. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. Recommend having a qualified electrician evaluate to determine if GFCI protection exists, and if not, repair as necessary. For more information, visit:
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
One or more clamps that secure the electric service's grounding electrode conductor(s) to a grounding rod were loose. Grounding may be substandard as a result and may be a safety hazard for shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.
One or more wall-mounted exterior light fixtures had wiring that's subject to water intrusion due to caulk not being installed around the light fixture's back plate. Caulk should be applied around the perimeter of back plates where missing. A gap should be left at the bottom for condensation to drain out.
Ceiling fans and light fixtures appear to be lower than 6'8" clearance inside home and may need to be lifted higher to prevent someone from walking into light fixture.
One or more circuit breakers in panel #A were in the off position. As per the NACHI and ASHI Standards of Practice, the inspector did not attempt to reset or turn back on circuit breaker(s). The client should consult with the property owner to determine why breakers are tripped or off, and have a qualified electrician evaluate and repair if necessary. Breaker marked for stove
Many electric receptacles were not evaluated because of furniture, stored items.
| Plumbing / Fuel Systems | Return to table of contents |
The propane tank was located where it is subject to damage from vehicles. This is a safety hazard. Repairs or modifications should be made as necessary by a qualified contractor, such as installing barriers or moving the tank.
One or more outside faucets were leaking. For example, from the valve stem when turned on or from the spigot when turned off. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary.
The inspector was not able to find the water meter. Recommend that the client attempt to find the water meter by consulting with the property owner, searching for it themselves, or consulting with the local water municipality. It is especially important to find the meter if no main shut-off valve is found because the meter may be the only way to turn off the water supply in the event of an emergency, such as when a supply pipe bursts.
| Water Heater | Return to table of contents |
The water heater flame was yellow rather than blue. This may be caused by scale on top of the burner, a dirty burner orifice, the flue being clogged, and/or improper gas pressure. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
Substandard wiring was found for the water heater's power supply due to the following conditions: . This is a safety hazard for fire or shock. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. Top electric panel on water heater is missing a screw and should be secured to prevent inserting object into this area.
Gas heater located in kitchen closet has a large amount of rusting in bottom near fire shield area which should be evaluated further by a qualified professional for repairs.
| Cooling / Heat Pump | Return to table of contents |
One or more air filters were dirty. A qualified person should replace filter(s) as necessary. Filters should be checked monthly and maintained as necessary in the future.
This system used geothermal energy. It is a specialty system, and only a limited evaluation was performed during the inspection. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified specialist. Grundfos underground thermal heat pump with no legible information on Philco Manufacturers tag to exterior unit.
| Fireplaces / Stoves / Chimneys | Return to table of contents |
The metal fireplace liner at location #A had the following conditions: holes, cracks. This may be a safety hazard for fire, and for combustion fumes entering living spaces. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
Chimney above roof is leaning off center and should be properly straightened. Amateur repairs attempted by attaching guidewires which have completely deteriorated and no longer attached to chimney pipe. Recommend repair by a qualified professional.
All solid fuel burning appliances (woodstoves and fireplaces, etc.) should be inspected annually by a qualified chimney service contractor, cleaned and repaired as necessary.
| Kitchen | Return to table of contents |
The oven light was inoperable. Recommend replacing bulb or having repairs made if necessary by a qualified person. Noted that there is a breaker in the off position in main electric panel and should consult with owner to determine if this is the cause of oven light and oven not working.
| Bathrooms / Laundry / Sinks | Return to table of contents |
The toilet at location #A, B, C was loose. A qualified contractor should remove the toilet(s) for further evaluation and repairs if necessary. A new wax ring should be installed and toilet(s) should be securely anchored to the floor to prevent movement and leaking.
The bathtub drain stopper mechanism at location #A, B, C was missing, inoperable. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.
| Interior Rooms / Areas | Return to table of contents |
Guardrails in some areas with drop-offs higher than 30 inches were with gaps over 4". This is a safety hazard. Standard building practices require that they:
One or more ceiling fans are installed less than seven feet from the floor below. This is a safety hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, remove fans, or move them as necessary to maintain a seven foot clearance below. Ideally ceiling fans should be installed at least eight to nine feet above the floor for optimal air flow.
The front door's doorbell appeared to be inoperable. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.
One or more exterior doors had minor . A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary. Front bottom right glass on front door does not have trim to hold glass in place and should be repaired.
Trim or jambs around one or more exterior doors was deteriorated. A qualified person should repair, replace or install as necessary. Showing signs of rot at base of jamb on one or more exterior doors.
Lock mechanisms on some windows were missing, inoperable. A qualified person should repair as necessary. Repair lock mechanisms in front bedrooms areas.
Minor deterioration or damage was found in floors in one or more areas, including cracked tile. A qualified person should repair as necessary. Addition area at rear of home.
Minor cracks and/or holes were found in walls 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.
Minor cracks and/or holes were found in 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.
The inspector was unable to verify that the glass used in one or more exterior doors was approved safety glass. Glazing that is not approved safety glass located in areas subject to human impact is a safety hazard. Standard building practices generally require that approved safety glass be used in swinging and sliding doors except where "art glass", jalousie windows or glazing smaller than a three inch opening are used. A qualified contractor should evaluate and replace glass if necessary, and as per standard building practices.
All exterior doors don't have a screen door.
Screens in some windows were missing.
