Summary

2) What may be pipe(s) or other materials visible that could indicate that an underground oil tank is or was present. Underground oil tanks can leak over time and contaminate the ground. Recommend further investigation to determine if one or more underground oil tanks exist on this property. If so, recommend determining if they've been legally decommissioned. If they haven't, recommend having the soil tested for oil contamination and having them legally decomissioned or removed.

3) Homes built before 1978 can contain lead based paint. Exposure to lead (breathing in airborne dust, eating paint chips, chewing on a painted surface) can be a health hazard. Friction and rubbing points on windows and doors are a possible source of lead contamination. In general, the older the home, the more likely it is to contain lead paint. The Environmental Protection Agency says that "lead based paint in good condition is usually not a hazard". Go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/ and http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/steps.pdf for more information on lead in the home and to determine if testing and possible remediation is needed.

Copper water supply pipes in buildings built prior to 1986 may be joined with solder that contains lead. Lead is a known health hazard, especially for children. Laws were passed in 1985 prohibiting the use of lead in solder, but prior to that solder normally contained about 50 percent lead. The client should be aware of this, especially if children will be living in this structure. Evaluating for the presence of lead in this structure is not included in this inspection. The client should consider having a qualified lab test the water in the house for lead, and if necessary take steps to reduce or remove lead from the water supply. Go to http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html for more info.

Homes built prior to 1980 may contain asbestos, a building material now known to be a health hazard. Asbestos was commonly used as a material in many items - ceiling and floor tiles, popcorn or textured ceilings, tile mastic, adhesives, plumbing wrap, insulation, exterior shingles, heat shields above boilers and furnaces, etc. The Environmental Protection Agency states that "usually the best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone". Have any suspect items tested and investigated further to see if asbestos is present, remediate or repair as needed. See http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/ashome.html for more information.

4) Rails at right side exterior stairs missing, has openings that are too wide. Contact appropriate contractor for repair or correction.

5) Noted lots of deterioration (interior and exterior) at the foundation. Brick is deteriorated. Mortar deteriorated and missing. Possible structural concern and the client is advised to hire a structural contractor or engineer to evaluate the integrity of the foundation. You will also need to seal the cracks to prevent water and insect infiltration.

6) Noted deteriorated or rotting wood at front door, windows, soffits/fascias, rear door, basement windows, siding, trim that will need repair or replacement. Recommend further evaluation by a general contractor or carpenter. Lots of wood rot at exterior, especially at the second floor trim, fascias, etc.

Wood flooring at porch gaping, needs work in areas.

Trim on porch posts needs repair in areas.

Basement windows covered in ivy, may need repair.

15) Noted cracks, alligatoring, spongy areas in roof. Water noted in attic. Recommend roofing contractor re-roof. All flashings and gutters should also be evaluated and replaced as needed at this time.

Standing water noted in gutters. May be blocked with debris or may not be sloped correctly. Needs repair.

Top gutter downspouts drain to lower roof, should be corrected.

Old wood gutter / trim on top of roof is rotted and deteriorated and needs replacement.

16) Noted cracks, patching, or other defects in the chimney. Contact chimney contractor or mason for further evaluation, make all repairs as needed.

Chimney not currently in use but it will still leak into the attic.

20) Electrical wiring is unsupported or inadequately supported in areas. Recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate and repair as necessary.

21) Hand rail or guard rail at stairs not returned to the wall, needs correction for safety. Contact carpenter or appropriate contractor for repair.

22) Deterioration present in foundation. Probable structural concern and the client is advised to hire a structural contractor or engineer to evaluate the integrity of the foundation. You will also need to seal the cracks to prevent water and insect infiltration.

30) One or more support posts appear to have been added since the original construction, probably due to bounce or sag in the floor above (right side crawl). While it appears that this (probably) home-made repair is working I will note that support posts are normally tied to the beam or framing with metal brackets and sit on a concrete pad made to support the added weight. Have carpenter evaluate, correct as needed.

31) The bolts and hardware that attach the porch to the house are starting to corrode and need repair.

Unknown if the porch has flashing or joist hangars, add as needed.

33) In the electrical panel(s) one or more circuit breakers or bus bars are "double tapped", where 2 or more wires are clamped in a terminal and the connection is only designed for 1 wire. This is a possible safety hazard since wires may loosen and cause arcing, sparking and fires. Recommend having an electrician evaluate, repair as needed.

34) One or more loose conductors (wires) in electric service panel(s) not connected to an overcurrent protection device (circuit breakers or fuses). This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire if a bare conductor comes into contact with other components in the panel. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, removing wires that aren't terminated or installing wire nuts (second floor panel).

35) Exposed or loose electrical wire(s) noted at basement, attic, office area needs to be corrected for safety. Recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate and correct as needed.

36) Noted extension cords / adapters in use at basement, needs to be corrected for safety. Have electrician replace with permanent wiring or add additional electrical outlets as needed.

37) Noted loose outlets at the office area, needs to be corrected for safety.

38) More light and appropriate light switches need to be added at right side stairway for safety.

40) Noted knob and tube electrical wiring covered with insulation in the attic. The wires were not live when tested with electrical tester, unsure if they are still in use. If still in use these wires could overheat and start a fire. Recommend further evaluation, have electrician make sure the wires are all dead.

41) No hot water noted during the inspection (second floor). It may be shut-off, need adjustment, or need repair. Recommend plumber evaluate and repair as needed.

43) The clothes dryer was equipped with a vinyl or foil, accordion-type, flexible exhaust duct. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission considers these types of ducts to be unsafe and a fire hazard. These types of ducts can trap lint and are susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the air flow. This duct should be replaced with a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, and by a qualified contractor if necessary. Most clothes dryer manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. For more information on dryer safety issues, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html

49) Dry leaks, corrosion, and / or rust was noted on the plumbing valves, supply, and/or waste pipes. Have licensed plumber evaluate system and repair as needed.

50) Waste pipe(s) do not appear to be sloped correctly, should be pitched down toward main waste line to prevent clogs. Have plumber evaluate and make any repairs as needed.

51) Washer and dryer not operational, needs further evaluation.

52) No water at kitchen sink or at second floor bath, needs further evaluation.

53) Noted electric heat with fabric or other flammible material in contact with the heater. This is a fire hazard. Make sure nothing flammible is near or can come in contact with the heating element(s). Correct for safety.

55) No carbon monoxide detectors (or detectors of the plug-in variety which may or may not be present upon moving in) noted, make sure there is at least one working detector on each floor before moving into the home. Follow manufacturers instructions as to placement and installation. Go to http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html for more info.

56) Counter-balances (holds windows in place) on some windows are not working and need repair for safety. When raised windows could slide down unexpectedly, causing injury.

57) Hand rail or guard rail at stairs loose, not returned to the wall, needs correction for safety. Contact carpenter or appropriate contractor for repair.

58) Noted steep, short or uneven rise / run on stairway(s), possible trip hazard. Have repaired by a carpenter. Go to http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf for more info.

69) The dishwasher, refridgerator and/or freezer was not turned on at the time of inspection, unsure if they work properly.

70) Noted tilt and/or gaps in sections of the floor. Could be caused by a slow settling of the home over time or by an unseen structural defect. Recommend evaluation by a carpenter or structural contractor, repair as needed.

71) Noted peeling paint at conference room wall under window. Tested with moisture meter, dry at time of inspection.

Windows here damaged. Mullion / stile broken.

75) Add hand rail to attic stairs for safety.

76) The attic area needs further evaluation by a mason (chimney), roofer, and a carpenter. Lots of rotted wood here. Leaks and water noted inside attic. Areas of metal roof noted at ceiling area through broken and deteriorated sheathing.

Water was noted leaking through the roof, on the framing or on the surface below the roof. Contact roofer for evaluation and repairs.