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Photo Inspection, LLC

23 Four Mile River Rd. 
Old Lyme, CT 06371
Inspector: Photo Inspection

Summary

Client(s):  Bill Sample
Property address:  2 USA Drive
Old Town, CT
Inspection date:  Tuesday, May 16, 2017

This report published on Thursday, November 4, 2021 3:48:57 PM EDT

This report is the exclusive property of Photo Inspection, LLC and the client(s) listed in the report title. Use of this report by any unauthorized persons is prohibited.

Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
Concern typeSafetyPoses a risk of injury or death
Concern typeRepair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing
Concern typeRepair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance
Concern typeMinor DefectCorrection likely involves only a minor expense
Concern typeMaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance
Concern typeEvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist
Concern typeMonitorRecommend monitoring in the future
Concern typeServiceableItem or component is in serviceable condition
Concern typeCommentFor your information


Exterior
5) Concrete on exterior stairs is in need of localized repointing or patching. Loose areas can become a trip hazard. Consult with a mason for repairs.
6) Stone or brick exposed foundation needs re-pointing of the joints. Consult with a mason for repairs.
7) Sewer cap is broken or loose and should be repaired. Consult with a plumber.
8) The exterior of some of the windows is worn and/or broken. Upgrading these units will likely be most cost effective solution.
9) One or more downspouts do not have extensions, or have extensions that are ineffective. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. It's recommended that repairs be made as necessary such as repair to or installation of splash blocks or tie-ins to underground drain lines, so that rain water is carried at least several feet away from the structure to soil that slopes down and away from the structure.
10) One or more gutters are missing. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. It's recommended that a qualified contractor install gutters and downspouts where missing, as well as extensions such as splashblocks or tie-ins to underground drain lines where necessary so that rainwater is carried away from the house.

Detached garage or carport
21) Low pitch roof that was built off of the garage is shingled and rafters were twisted. Recommend having a licensed builder support this section of roof more adequately, especially for snow loads.
22) The plywood behind the siding is moldy and rotted at the bottom and should be repaired or replaced by a licensed builder.
23) One or more garage vehicle doors is deteriorated or damaged beyond cost-effective repair. It's recommended that a qualified garage door contractor replace vehicle door(s) as necessary.

Basement
25) Non-metallic sheathed wiring is unsupported or inadequately supported. This type of wiring should be attached to runners or to solid backing with fasteners at intervals of 4.5 feet or less. It's recommended that a qualified electrician evaluate and make repairs as necessary.
26) Basement room that appeared to be used as a bedroom at one time doesn’t have proper fire egress. The bathroom was in very poor condition.
27) One or more receptacles are loose, broken or damaged. A licensed electrician should resecure or replace them as necessary.
28) Cover plate(s), which are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires, are missing from one or more electric receptacle, switch and/or junction boxes. This is a safety hazard and poses a risk of both fire and shock. It's recommended that a cover plate be installed over those boxes that are missing one.
29) Evidence of moisture penetration was visible in the basement at the time of the inspection in the form of:
  • water stains
  • wet areas of sheet rock and insulation
  • efflorescence

It should be understood that it is impossible to predict whether moisture penetration will pose a problem in the future. The vast majority of basement leakage problems are the result of insufficient control of storm water at the surface. The ground around the house should be sloped to encourage water to flow away from the foundation. Gutters and downspouts should act to collect roof water and drain the water at least five feet from the foundation, or into a functional storm sewer. Downspouts that are clogged or broken below grade level, or that discharge too close to the foundation, are the most common source of basement leakage. Please refer to the Roofing and Exterior sections of the report for issues in those areas that may affect leakage into the basement.
In the event that basement leakage problems are experienced, lot and drainage improvements should be undertaken as a first step. Your plans for using the basement may influence the approach taken to resolving any dampness that is experienced.
30) The support beam should be evaluated by a qualified builder due to one side of beam dropped down and no longer supporting many of the floor joists. Recommend having this beam jacked back up into place so it supports floor joists.

Electric service
32) One or more smoke detectors is damaged or missing. Recommend replacing inoperable smoke detectors as necessary so a functioning one exists in each hallway leading to bedrooms, and in each bedroom. For more information on smoke detectors visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html
33) The seal around the entry wire where it meets meter socket is worn. This can allow water intrusion into electrical components. The seal should be repaired to prevent water intrusion and damage. Consult with a licensed electrician.

Heating and air conditioning
35) The boiler is old and nearing the end of the anticipated life-span of this type of unit (20-25 years). It may be more prone to repairs. It is recommended that you budget for replacement of the unit. For the short term recommend extending relief valve discharge tube.
36) No heat responded to thermostat. It appears the seller shut off valve at circulating pump, which may cause the pump(s) to fail. Recommend boiler be shut off properly for summer months. Consult with a heating technician.

Attic
41) No ceiling insulation is installed in the attic. A qualified contractor should install insulation for better energy efficiency and as per standard building practices with at an R rating recommended for this area.

Laundry
43) Laundry overview. The lint vent should be replaced and attached. The 110 outlet for washer was loose and should be secured as noted in basement section.

Kitchen
44) Kitchen 1st Floor:
  • Faucet is loose and should be secured as needed consult with a plumber
  • Trap configuration appears to be reverse pitch
  • Floor imperfections were noted
  • Pronounced floor slopes were noted
  • Missing cover plates
  • Electrician should add outlets and improve existing ones.
  • Cabinet damage noted and should be repaired
45) Kitchen 3rd floor:
  • Sink leak should be repaired consult with a plumber
  • Floor defects were noted
  • Stove is old, no exhaust hood
46) Kitchen 2nd floor:
  • Power off to receptacles- limits testing
  • Ceiling damage is evident
  • Windows are cracked or broken

Bathrooms
50) Bathroom 1st floor:
  • radiators are missing covers
  • damaged sink
  • window hardware is broken
  • door doesn’t latch
  • improper GFCI installation

Interior rooms
53) 3rd floor electrical system should be further evaluated by a licensed electrician, as it appears some of the circuits are tied to the second floor unit. The power was off to second floor unit and several areas were dead at the third floor.
54) Exposed wiring is loose and/or damaged. Consult with a licensed electrician.
55) Wiring to fixture in second floor back hall is loose and/or damaged. Consult with a licensed electrician.
56) One or more receptacles are loose, broken or damaged. A licensed electrician should resecure or replace them as necessary.
57) Loose wiring is evident. A licensed electrician should secure and repair.
58) Cover plate(s), which are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires, are missing from one or more electric receptacle, switch and/or junction boxes. This is a safety hazard and poses a risk of both fire and shock. It's recommended that a cover plate be installed over those boxes that are missing one.
59) One or more light fixtures are inoperable. Recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate and repair or replace fixture(s) as necessary.
60) Windows are broken or loose at the third floor. Recommend repairs.
61) The hardware on the window(s) is damaged or broken and needs repair or replacement. Window hardware should be repaired so that windows easily open and close and are able to be locked.
62) Screen(s) missing in one or more windows. Window(s) may not provide ventilation during months when insects are active. Recommend installing screens.
63) One or more doors don't latch when closed. Recommend making repairs as necessary such as adjusting latch plates or lockset mechanisms.
64) One or more doors have no lockset installed. Recommend installing locksets in doors where missing.
65) One or more locksets are damaged or in disrepair. Recommend repairing or replacing locksets as necessary.
66) One or more doors is damaged and needs repair or replacement. Recommend repairing or replacing doors as necessary.
67) Wood flooring in one or more rooms is worn or damaged. The client may want to have this flooring refinished and/or repaired.

Interior stairs
72) Window is low to stairway and sashes are loose. Recommend installing a safety approved window here to help prevent children or adults from falling out or through unit.
73) As typical in older homes, the configuration of the stairs does not conform to the standard of practices today, and as such, you should proceed with caution. As this is a rental property, insurance companies, fire marshal, etc., may require some modifications or upgrades. Consult with proper authorities.
74) The railing on the stairs and the guard rail at the top of the stairs is lower than the standard practice of today, which is a safety concern, as someone could tumble over.

Environmental Concerns
75) Evidence of mold was present. It is recommended that air/swab testing be performed to confirm and to determine the type of mold. Because of the extent of the mold, and the indication that moisture issues are also present, it is recommended that a specialist be consulted to address mold removal. Mold can be a health hazard to some individuals with sensitivity. In addition, if the moisture penetration issues are not immediately addressed, the mold will continue to grow and become a bigger problem. Air and swab testing can be done by our company; please contact our office for more information.
76) This home was built before 1978, when laws were enacted in the US preventing the use of lead paint in residential structures.

The paint found in and around this structure appeared to be intact and and most likely encapsulated by more recent layers of paint that's not lead-based.

New laws have just been enacted on renovation, removal and repair when lead paint is present. Please visit this website to make sure you are compliant: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

Lead paint may be present, and is a known safety hazard, especially to children but also to adults. It may cause brain damage and retarded mental and physical development, among other things.