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A1 Quality Home Inspections, Inc

21259 W. Arbor Ln 
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Inspector: Thomas Jasinski
Inspector's email: jrmichalak@comcast.net

Summary

Client(s):  Herman Munster
Property address:  1313 Mockingbird Ln
Inspection date:  Monday, January 1, 2001

This report published on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 2:19:46 PM CST

This report is intended only as a general guide to help the CLIENT make his/her own evaluation of the overall condition of the home, and is not intended to reflect the value of the premises, nor make any representation as to the advisability of purchase.

The report expresses the personal opinions of "A1 Quality Home Inspections, Inc", based upon visual impressions of the conditions that existed AT THE TIME of the inspection only.

The inspection and the report are not intended to be technically exhaustive, or to imply that every component was inspected, or that every possible defect was discovered.
No disassembly of equipment, opening of walls, moving of furniture, appliances or stored items, or excavation was performed.

All components and conditions, which by nature of their location are concealed, camouflaged or difficult to inspect, are excluded from the report.

Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
Concern typeSafetyPoses a risk of injury or death
Concern typeMajor DefectCorrection likely involves a significant expense
Concern typeRepair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing
Concern typeRepair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance
Concern typeMaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance
Concern typeEvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist
Concern typeCommentFor your information


General information
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

Garage
9) Evidence of "light to moderate" rodent infestation was found in one or more areas of the garage attic. 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 Hanta virus 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 hygenist 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).
10) No infrared "photo eye" devices are installed for the vehicle door's electric door opener. They've been required on all vehicle door openers since 1993 and improve safety by triggering the vehicle door's auto-reverse feature without need for the door to come in contact with the object, person or animal that's preventing it from closing. Recommend considering having a qualified contractor install these devices for improved safety. For more information on garage door safety issues, visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/523.html or http://www.ohdstl.com/safety.html

Attic
13) Evidence of "heavy" rodent infestation was found in one or more areas. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines this as more 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.

Because this infestation is "heavy", recommend that the clients consult with a qualified pest control operator for extermination services. Also recommend consulting with a qualified, licensed abatement contractor or industrial hygenist for clean up of rodent waste and nesting materials. For more information on eradication, clean up and prevention of rodent infestations, read the CDC's Clean Up, Trap Up, Seal Up article.

The rodent droppings found were immediately above this ceiling stain (underneath the attic insulation - stain is immediately adjacent to 2nd floor hallway attic access hatch.
14) One or more hornet, bee and/or wasp nests were found. These can pose a safety hazard. Nest(s) should be removed as necessary.

Electric service
16) Home has a lightning protection system installed. the connector for the rear rain gutter was disconnected and should be reconnected.

Water heater
17) The estimated useful life for most water heaters is 8 to 12 years. This water heater appears to be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.

Heating and cooling
18) The estimated useful life for air conditioning compressors is 8 to 15 years. The outside Trane unit appears to be approaching this age and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.

Exterior
25) The driveway has a significant "hump" / "trip hazard". Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace driveway sections as necessary to eliminate trip hazards.
26) Deck boards are significantly deteriorated. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. See also photos 25 and 27
27) Rot was found in both deck stair treads. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary, replacing all rotten wood.
28) Rear Basement window well cover is broken. Recommend replacement