1) Structures built prior to the mid 1980s may contain lead and/or asbestos. Lead is commonly found in paint and in some plumbing components. The EPA does not recognize newer coats of paint as encapsulating older coats of lead-based paint. Asbestos is commonly found in various building materials such as insulation, siding, and/or floor and ceiling tiles. Laws were passed in 1978 to prohibit usage of lead and asbestos, but stocks of materials containing these substances remained in use for a number of years thereafter. Both lead and asbestos are known health hazards. Evaluating for the presence of lead and/or asbestos is beyond the scope of this inspection. Any mention of these materials in this report is made as a courtesy only, and meant to refer the client to a specialist. Consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygienists, professional labs and/or abatement specialists for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?EPA
http://www.reporthost.com/?CPSC
http://www.reporthost.com/?CDC

2) The residential dwelling unit appears to be part of a complex that is managed and maintained by a "Home Owners" or "Condo" association. This inspection is limited to a visual evaluation of the systems and components that are located within the dwelling unit inspected. The current condition of "Common Elements" are excluded from this inspection. Such elements include, but are not limited to:

• The building site condition, structural stability, drainage systems and insulation
• All exterior surfaces, materials and structure
• All roof surfaces, materials and structure
• All attic spaces
• The building foundation, floor substructure and all spaces below, such as basements and/or crawl spaces
• All stairs, landings, porches, hallways, walks and balconies, elevators, utility metering, parking stalls/ports
• All decks, patios, pools, spas, recreational areas/equipment
• All common areas on the property

Any comments regarding these items in this report have been made as a courtesy only. Consult with the Home Owner's or Condo Association regarding these items.

3) One or more electric receptacles (outlets) at the kitchen and/or bathroom(s) had no visible ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection, or the inspector was unable to determine if GFCI protection was present. If not GFCI-protected, receptacles in wet areas pose a shock hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and install GFCI protection if necessary and per standard building practices. General guidelines for GFCI-protected receptacles include the following locations:

• Outdoors (since 1973)
• Bathrooms (since 1975)
• Garages (since 1978)
• Kitchens (since 1987)
• Crawl spaces and unfinished basements (since 1990)
• Wet bar sinks (since 1993)
• Laundry and utility sinks (since 2005)

For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?GFCI

4) Panel(s) # had inadequate working space. This is a safety hazard when opening or working in panels. Electric panels should have the following clearances:

• An open area 30 inches wide by 3 feet deep in front of the panel
• 6 feet 3 inches of headroom in front of the panel
• The wall below the panel is clear to the floor
• The center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker not more than 6 feet 7 inches above the floor or working platform

Recommend that a qualified contractor repair or make modifications per standard building practices. If panels must be opened for repairs, then a qualified electrician should perform repairs.

5) One or more electric receptacles (outlets) and/or the boxes in which they were installed were loose and/or not securely anchored. Wire conductors can be damaged due to repeated movement and/or tension on wires, or insulation can be damaged. This is a shock and fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair as necessary.

6) Branch circuit wiring installed in buildings built prior to the mid 1980s is typically rated for a maximum temperature of only 60 degrees Celsius. This includes non-metallic sheathed (Romex) wiring, and both BX and AC metal-clad flexible wiring. Knob and tube wiring, typically installed in homes built prior to 1950, may be rated for even lower maximum temperatures. Newer electric fixtures including lighting and fans typically require wiring rated for 90 degrees Celsius. Connecting newer fixtures to older, 60-degree-rated wiring is a potential fire hazard. Repairs for such conditions may involve replacing the last few feet of wiring to newer fixtures with new 90-degree-rated wire, and installing a junction box to join the old and new wiring.

It is beyond the scope of this inspection to determine if such incompatible components are installed, or to determine the extent to which they're installed. Based on the age of this building, the client should be aware of this safety hazard, both for existing fixtures and when planning to upgrade with newer fixtures. Consult with a qualified electrician for repairs as necessary.

7) One or more electric receptacles (outlets) appeared to have no power. Recommend asking the property owner about this. Switches may need to be operated to make some receptacles energized. If necessary, recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair. Living room outlet that is meant to work on a switch does not turn on, or turns on briefly.

8) One or more receptacles (outlets) have been painted, and slots were clogged with paint. Recommend that a qualified electrician replace such receptacles as necessary.

9) The legend for circuit breakers or fuses in panel(s) #A was missing, incomplete, illegible or confusing. This is a potential shock or fire hazard in the event of an emergency when power needs to be turned off. Recommend correcting the legend so it's accurate, complete and legible. Evaluation by a qualified electrician may be necessary.

10) Significant amounts of contaminants or foreign material such as drywall texture or paint were found in panel(s) #A. No approved method exists for cleaning contaminants from panel interiors or components such as bus or terminal bars, circuit breakers or fuses. The panel and/or components inside may need replacing. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and replace components if necessary.

There is dust and a business card in the panel box. I recommend blowing it out with air.

12) Copper water supply pipes were installed. Copper pipes installed prior to the late 1980s may be joined with solder that contains lead, which 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 approximately 50% lead. The client should be aware of this, especially if children will be using this water supply system. Note that the inspector does not test for toxic materials such as lead. The client should consider having a qualified lab test for lead, and if necessary take steps to reduce or remove lead from the water supply. Various solutions include:

• Flush water taps or faucets. Do not drink water that has been sitting in the plumbing lines for more than 6 hours
• Install appropriate filters at points of use
• Use only cold water for cooking and drinking, as hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water
• Use bottled or distilled water
• Treat well water to make it less corrosive
• Have a qualified plumber replace supply pipes and/or plumbing components as necessary

For more information visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?LEADDW
http://www.reporthost.com/?LEAD

15) The furnace did not respond to normal controls (thermostat). It appeared to be inoperable. The inspector was only able to perform a limited evaluation. If possible, consult with the property owner and/or review documentation on this system. Recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.

16) One or more heating or cooling air supply registers had a weak air flow, or no apparent flow. This may result in an inadequate air supply. Recommend asking the property owner about this. Adjustable damper(s) in ducts may exist and be reducing the flow. If dampers exist, then they should be opened to attempt to improve the air flow. If the property owner is unaware of such dampers, or if adjusting dampers does not improve the air flow, then recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor evaluate and repair or make modifications as necessary.

18) No high loop or air gap was visible for the dishwasher drain. A high loop is created by routing the drain line up to the bottom surface of the counter top above and securely fastening it to that surface. An air gap is a device that makes the drain line non-continuous. Both of these prevent waste-water backflow from entering the dishwasher, and possibly flooding out of the dishwasher if/when a siphon occurs. Some newer dishwashers have these devices built in. The client should try to determine if these devices are built in to this brand and model of dishwasher (e.g. review installation instructions). If not, or if this cannot be determined, then recommend that a qualified contractor install a high loop and air gap per standard building practices.

19) The hot and cold water supplies appeared to be reversed at the sink. Typically, cold water is controlled by the right faucet handle and hot by the left. For mixing faucets, cold is typically supplied with the handle to the right and hot when when the handle is to the left, or as indicated by the faucet's markings. At a minimum this is an inconvenience, but can result in accidental scalding. Recommend that a qualified plumber repair as necessary.

20) The oven light was inoperable. Recommend replacing bulb or that repairs are made, if necessary, by a qualified person.

21) The clothes dryer exhaust duct was kinked, crushed or damaged. Air flow will be restricted as a result and the clothes dryer may overheat. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire. Recommend that a qualified person replace or repair the duct as necessary. For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?DRYER

22) Bathtub downspout water diverter handle is stuck. May be rusted. Unable to press down to fill bathtub.

23) Shower head and tub spout are loose and can be pulled/broken. Recommend consulting with a plumber to find a way to secure them.

24) One or more interior doors were damaged. Recommend that a qualified person replace or repair doors as necessary.

Master bedroom closet door is missing hardware that keeps it in the frame. There is a piece of wood stuck in the door to keep it from swinging into the closet.

25) One or more window screens were damaged or deteriorated. These window(s) may not provide ventilation during months when insects are active. Recommend replacing window screens as necessary.

26) One or more walls and/or ceilings had substandard repairs. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

Plumbing was repaired behind the washing machine and not patched. The ceiling had openings to the attic that will allow hot air from the attic into the living space.

27) One or more interior doors were sticking in the door jamb and were difficult to operate. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary. For example, by trimming doors.

28) Flooring in the master bedroom has a crack because there is a dip in the concrete floor in that area.