Summary Page
| Home Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | An Informed Family |
| Property address: | 54321 Knowledge St. Treasure Valley, Idaho |
| Inspection date: | Monday, July, 01, 2000 |
 | 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 |
- Rear door has no steps installed door should be sealed closed or steps installed to prevent injuries.
- Exterior outlet box (only wires no outlet installed) not secured. Requires to be secured to post or structure. Also requires a Ground Fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed suggest having a licensed electrician evaluate and repair/install.
- Perimeter grading slopes towards buildings (house & shop). Recommend adding/grading soil so it slopes down and away from the building to direct rainwater away.
- A gutter should be installed on the south end of the roof. Recommend having a qualified gutter and downspout contractor install gutters, downspouts where missing. Also recommend installing extensions such as splashblocks or a drain line where necessary to carry rain water away from the house.
- Vegetation (trees, shrubs and/or vines) are in contact with building exterior. Recommend pruning or removing vegetation as necessary so there's at least a one foot gap between all vegetation and the building exterior. This gap should exist to allow exterior building materials to dry quickly after it rains, and to eliminate pathways to the structure for wood destroying insects.
- Silicone is missing or deteriorated in some areas. Recommend re-sealing with silicone where necessary.
- Minor cracks (1/8" or less) present in foundation. These don't appear to be a structural concern, but recommend sealing them to prevent water infiltration. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including:
- Recommend cleaning deck and treating with a waterproof sealant claiming to waterproof, block ultraviolet light, and stop mildew. Consumer Reports recommends these products:
- No handrails in stairway leading to attic.
- Perimeter grading slopes towards building. Recommend grading soil so it slopes down and away from the building to direct rainwater away.
- One or more gutters and downspouts are missing. Recommend having a qualified gutter and downspout contractor install downspout(s) where missing. Also recommend installing extensions such as splashblocks or a drain line where necessary to carry rainwater away from the house.
- Light fixture missing and no cover is installed. Requires a cover or fixture to be installed.
- Minor cracks (1/8" or less) present in foundation. These don't appear to be a structural concern, but recommend sealing them to prevent water infiltration. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including:
- Vegetation (trees, shrubs and/or vines) are in contact with building exterior. Recommend pruning or removing vegetation as necessary so there's at least a one foot gap between all vegetation and the building exterior. This gap should exist to allow exterior building materials to dry quickly after it rains, and to eliminate pathways to the structure for wood destroying insects.
- Significant amounts of debris have accumulated in one or more gutters. Recommend cleaning gutters now and as necessary in the future.
- Nails and staples require re-attach and sealed on roof vents. Furnace stack appears to have been resealed.
- Cable laying loose (sound system I believe) on patio roof. Not exterior grade cabling and should be attached to a protected area on the building building
- The water heater and/or furnace are subject to damage from vehicles because no protective barrier is installed. Recommend having a qualified contractor install an adequate barrier.
- Wires in electrical panel not properly color coded.
- Access area around electrical panel has to remain clear of stored items.
- Legend for overcurrent protection devices (breakers or fuses) in one or more sub panels is missing, unreadable or incomplete. Recommend installing, updating or correcting the legend(s) as necessary.
- Hot water temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Recommend adjusting thermostat so water temperature doesn't exceed 120 degrees to avoid scalding danger. For more information on scalding dangers, visit http://www.tap-water-burn.com/
- The estimated useful life for water heaters is 8 to 12 years. This water heater appears to be approaching this age. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
- 2nd water heater is installed over finished living space (IN master closet) and has no catch pan and drain installed. Recommend having a qualified contractor install a catch pan and drain to prevent water damage to finished interior spaces below if/when the water heater develops a leak or is drained.
- Pipes to hot water heater in garage show evidence of previous leakage. Should be evaluated by a qualified plumber.
- Electrical connection cover plate loose missing gasket and securing screw allowing garage fumes to enter conditioned air for house interior. Recommend having a qualified technician repair to seal supply air system.
- The estimated useful life for air conditioning compressors is 8 to 15 years. This unit appears to be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time.
- Insulation on exterior A/C lines deteriorating. Recommend replacing insulation for better cooling and equipment efficientcy.
- Last service date of this system is more than two years ago or is unable to be determined. Recommend asking seller when it was last serviced. If unable to determine or if more than two years ago, recommend that this system be inspected, cleaned, serviced and repaired if necessary by a qualified heating and cooling technician. Recommend that this servicing be made every two years in the future.
- This system is equipped with throw-away filter (20"x25"x1"). Recommend replacing throw-away filter(s) every 2 months in the future if the thermostat's fan position is set to "Auto", or monthly if it's set to "On".
- Recommend having septic tank inspected. Recommend pumping tank if last pumped more than 3 years ago.
- Several sewer lines in crawl space are in a level or minor negative pitch recommend further evaluation by a qualified plumber. (Main bathrooms and under master BDM)
- All solid fuel burning appliances (woodstoves and fireplaces) should be inspected annually by a qualified chimney service contractor, cleaned and repaired as necessary.
- Vapor barrier needs repair. Recommend repairing vapor barrier so no exposed soil exists in the crawlspace. Recommend using 6 mil polyethylene with seams overlapped at least 24".
- Some insulation in the crawlspace is missing and has fallen down. Recommend reinstalling or replacing this insulation.
- The water supply pipes in the crawl space are uninsulated. Recommend insulating these pipes for better energy efficiency and to water pipes from freezing.
- Evidence of water penetration from what appears to be from crawl space vents. Recommend installing vent wells and providing aditional soil for positive drainage so water is directed away from the foundation.
- Cellulose-based debris such as wood scraps, form wood, cardboard and/or paper were found in crawl space. Recommend removing all cellulose-based debris to avoid attracting wood destroying insects.
- Shower handles in master bath loose requires tightning.
- Interior windows and doors require recaulking. (normal condition)