Garage or Carport
13) No photoelectric sensors were installed for one or more garage vehicle doors' automatic opener. These have been required on all automatic door openers since 1993 and improve safety by triggering the door's auto-reverse feature without need for the door to come in contact with the object, person or animal that is preventing the door from closing. Recommend that a qualified contractor install photoelectric sensors where missing for improved safety. For more information on garage door safety issues, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?GDPES
14) One or more openings were found in the attached garage walls or ceilings. Current standard building practices call for wooden-framed ceilings and walls that divide the house and garage to provide a limited fire-resistance rating to prevent the spread of fire from the garage to the house. Recommend that a qualified person repair per standard building practices. For example, by patching openings or holes, fire-taping holes or gaps with fire-resistant caulking, and/or installing fire-resistant wall covering (e.g. Type X drywall). For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?AGFRCost estimate: TBD upon exposure.
15) Appliances such as the water heater and/or furnace were subject to damage from vehicles because no protective barrier was installed in front of them. This is a potential safety hazard for fire and/or shock. A qualified contractor should install a barrier per standard building practices. For example, a steel post or specially made wood partition anchored in the concrete slab floor.
16) Weatherstripping around or at the base of the door between the garage and the house was missing, damaged. House to garage doors should prevent fire and fumes from spreading from the garage to the house. Weatherstripping should form a seal around this door. This is a potential safety hazard. Recommend that a qualified person replace or install weatherstripping as necessary.
Door skirt was missing and doorstop rubber bead was
damaged, allowing vapor infiltration into the house.
Recommend door specialist repair/replace these items.
17) One or more automatic door openers were inoperable. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace opener(s) as necessary.
18) The control button or panel for operating one or more automatic garage vehicle door openers was loose. A qualified person should repair as necessary so buttons or control panels are securely attached to wall surfaces.
Electric
20) One or more ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers were not installed in the Main Distribution panel. GFCI breakers reduce the chance of shock when using equipment in wet areas. This is a potential shock hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as necessary.
The only GFCI installed is in the garage at laundry sink. Recommend
qualified electrician consultation for an update of the system.
Cost estimate: $45 - $50/device if ground wire is present.
22) Substandard wiring was found at the garage. For example, exposed wiring, loose wiring, exposed splices, missing or broken cover plates. This is a safety hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as necessary and per standard building practices.
Refer to qualified electrician for garage wiring inspection/repair.
23) One or more electric receptacles (outlets) at the kitchen, 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
24) Non-metallic sheathed wiring was installed at one or more locations, and was subject to damage such as on easily accessible wall or ceiling surfaces. The insulation can be damaged by objects coming in contact with it, resulting in exposed, energized wires. Also, copper conductors can break after being repeatedly moved or bent. This is a potential shock or fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair per standard building practices. For example, by installing protective conduit or re-routing wires through walls or ceilings.
25) Wire splices were exposed and were not contained in a covered junction box. This is a potential shock or fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair per standard building practices. For example, by installing permanently mounted junction boxes with cover plates where needed to contain wiring splices.
26) One or more cover plates for switches, receptacles (outlets) or junction boxes were missing or broken. These plates are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from occurring due to exposed wires. Recommend that a qualified person install cover plates where necessary.
27) 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.
28) One or more electrical components including switches, receptacles appeared to be older than their intended service life. Such old components may pose a fire or shock hazard. Recommend consulting with a qualified electrician to determine which components should be replaced with newer, modern components.
Receptacles (plugs) and switches old and/or covered with paint.
Cost estimate: $35 - $45 each device (If ground wire is present).
29) One or more "plug-in" type carbon monoxide alarms were found. Because such CO alarms can be easily removed, recommend that the client verify that CO alarms haven't been removed upon taking occupancy. If removed, then recommend installing new 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. Note that some states and/or municipalities require CO alarms to be installed for new construction and/or for homes being sold. For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?COALRM
30) One or more receptacles (outlets) have been painted, and slots were clogged with paint. Recommend that a qualified electrician replace such receptacles as necessary.
31) Main service panel should have area-specific labeling
for every breaker.
Cost estimate: TBD (Minor)
Interior, Doors and Windows
40) Some interior door hardware needed tuning/lubrication. Recommend that a qualified person repair or replace as necessary.
Numerous doors were in need of repair/replacement.
(Too narrow or hinge bound)
Cost estimate: TBD upon exposure.
41) One or more windows that were designed to open and close were difficult to open and close. Recommend that a qualified person repair windows as necessary so they open and close easily.
Window left of front door glides worn out.
42) 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.
43) One or more interior doors wouldn't latch or were difficult to latch. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary. For example, by adjusting latch plates or locksets.
44) Recommend cleaning and sealing grout in tile or stone flooring now and in the future as necessary to prevent staining and to improve waterproofing.