1) Safety, Comment - 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) Safety, Repair/Replace - Handrails at the flight of stairs leading to the main entrance were missing. This is a potential fall hazard. Recommend that a qualified contractor install handrails where missing and per standard building practices.

3) Repair/Maintain - The gravel walkway showed signs of erosion near the patio area of the home. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary to prevent further erosion and undermining.

4) Maintain - Trees were in contact with or were close to the building at one or more locations. Damage to the building can occur, especially during high winds. Recommend that a qualified tree service contractor or certified arborist remove trees as necessary to prevent damage to the building exterior.

5) Repair/Maintain - One or more joists were spliced with "sistered" lumber, and no support post was installed below. Sistering is a common repair practice where additional pieces of lumber are attached to spliced pieces. Such repairs result in a component that's weaker than the original joist and should be reinforced with a support post below. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair per standard building practices. For example, by installing support posts below.

6) Maintain, Comment - One or more crawl space vents were intentionally blocked/closed. This restricts ventilation in the crawl space and can result in increased levels of moisture inside. Such vents should be left open at all times except during freezing cold weather. Recommend opening vents as necessary.

7) Safety, Repair/Replace - Handrails were missing on the flight of stairs leading to the basement. This is a potential fall hazard. Recommend that a qualified contractor install handrails where missing and per standard building practices.

9) Repair/Maintain - Observed tree limbs overhanging the roof of the home and garage in areas. This can result in damage to roof in the event of severe weather. Recommend trimming or removal of tree limbs overhanging the roof by a qualified contractor.

10) Safety, Repair/Replace - The attic access hatch was located or configured so that it posed a safety hazard for falling when attempting to enter the attic. Also, the attic access hatch was too small to allow easy access. Such hatches should be at least 22 x 30 inches in size, and in safely accessed areas. Recommend that a qualified person modify attic access points per standard building practices.

12) Repair/Maintain - Soil was in close proximity to the wood exterior of the garage. This is a conducive condition for fungal rot of wood. Recommend grading soil to prevent contact with wood by a qualified contractor.

14) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - The electric receptacle at the laundry area had no visible ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. 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.
For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?GFCI

15) Safety, Repair/Maintain - No permanently installed carbon monoxide alarms were found. This is a potential safety hazard. Some states and/or municipalities require CO alarms to be installed for new construction and/or for homes being sold. Recommend installing approved CO alarms outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms on each level and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?COALRM

18) Safety, Repair/Maintain - The pressure regulator for the gas service was too close to an opening into the building (window). Small amounts of gas can vent from regulators from time to time, so regulators should be located at least 3 feet from building openings, although this distance varies depending on the municipality. This is a potential safety hazard. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary. For example, by installing a pipe extension onto the regulator.

19) Safety, Comment - 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

20) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Water was discolored when bathtubs or sinks were filled, or when showers were operated. This can be caused by water stagnating in water supply pipes, rust accumulating in pipes or in the water heater, or sediment being present in the water supply. Recommend flushing the water supply piping and the water heater. If that fails to resolve the issue, then have a qualified plumber evaluate and repair as necessary.

21) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Low flow was found at the shower head in the master bathroom shower (bathroom #3) Water supply pipes may be clogged or corroded, filters may be clogged or need new cartridges, or fixtures may be clogged. Recommend that a qualified plumber evaluate and repair as necessary.

22) Maintain, Evaluate - Based on visible components or information provided to the inspector, this property appeared to have a private sewage disposal (septic) system. These are specialty systems and are excluded from this inspection. Comments in this report related to this system are made as a courtesy only and are not meant to be a substitute for a full evaluation by a qualified specialist. Generally, septic tanks should be pumped and inspected every 3 years. Depending on the type of system and municipal regulations, inspection and maintenance may be required more frequently, often annually. Recommend the following:

• Consult with the property owner about this system's maintenance and repair history
• Review any documentation available for this system
• Review inspection and maintenance requirements for this system
• That a qualified specialist evaluate, perform maintenance and make repairs if necessary

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

29) Maintain, Evaluate - The last service date of the propane gas fired boiler was unable to be determined. Recommend conversation with current homeowner regarding service records and maintenance requirements. If the boiler has not been serviced within a year, recommend that a qualified HVAC technician further evaluate, clean, and service this system. For safety reasons, and because this system is fueled by gas, this servicing should be performed annually moving forward by a qualified technician.

32) Safety, Repair/Maintain, Evaluate - A solid fuel-burning fireplace was found at the property. When such devices are used, they should be professionally inspected and cleaned annually to prevent creosote build-up and to determine if repairs are needed. The National Fire Protection Association states that a "Level 2" chimney inspection should be performed with every sale or transfer of property with a wood-burning device. Recommend consulting with the property owner about recent and past servicing and repairs to all wood-burning devices and chimneys or flues at this property. Recommend that a qualified specialist evaluate all solid fuel-burning devices and chimneys, and clean and repair as necessary. Note that if a wood stove insert is installed, it may need to be removed for such an evaluation. For more information, search for "chimney inspection" at:
http://www.reporthost.com/?CSIA

33) Safety, Repair/Maintain - The fireplace's firebox was significantly deteriorated with corrosion and the damper was not functional. Heat from the fireplace may penetrate the firebox due to gaps and missing mortar. This is a potential fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary.

35) Safety, Repair/Replace - The clothes dryer was equipped with a vinyl or mylar, accordion-type, flexible exhaust duct. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission considers these types of ducts to be unsafe, and a fire hazard. They can trap lint and are susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the air flow and cause overheating. Recommend that such ducts be replaced with a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, and by a qualified contractor if necessary. For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?DRYER

36) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - The water supply flow for the shower in the master bathroom was low at time of inspection. Recommend that a qualified plumber evaluate and repair as necessary.