View as PDF

View report

Logo
http://www.piedmontinspections.com
wtjarrard@gmail.com
(706) 892-4368
1238 Treemont Trace 
Winder, GA 30680
Inspector: Tyler Jarrard
Certification #: 13962 (Inspection Certification Associates)

Summary

Client(s):  Necoma and Jessica Grindle
Property address:  721 Sherwood Dr
Clarkesville, GA 30523
Inspection date:  Tuesday, May 21, 2019

This report published on Friday, May 24, 2019 2:22:33 PM EDT

This report is the exclusive property of this inspection company 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 safety hazard
Concern typeMajor DefectCorrection likely involves a significant expense
Concern typeRepair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing
Concern typeRepair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance
Concern typeMaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance
Concern typeEvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist
Concern typeMonitorRecommend monitoring in the future
Concern typeCommentFor your information


Grounds
2) Significant water damage and moisture levels were noticed at the deck attachment to the house. Recommend further evaluation and replacement/repair by a qualified carpenter.
3) Wooden deck or porch surfaces and/or railings were overdue for normal maintenance. Recommend that a qualified person clean and preserve as necessary. Where decks have been coated with a finish such as opaque stains or paint, it may be too difficult to strip the finish and apply anything but paint or opaque stain. Where transparent stain or penetrating oil has been applied in the past, recommend that a penetrating oil be used. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?PENOIL
https://www.reporthost.com/?DKMAIN

Exterior and Foundation
4) Several stinging insect nests or spider webs were observed around the home. This can pose as a safety hazard, especially to those with an allergen. Recommend removal of nests by a qualified exterminator.
5) The masonry (brick or stone) veneer was deteriorated or damaged in some areas. Where cracks or openings are exposed, water can enter the wall structure causing mold, fungal growth and structural damage. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary. For example, by repointing mortar or replacing broken or missing masonry.
6) One or more holes or gaps were found in siding or trim. Vermin, insects or water may enter the structure. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.
7) One or more minor cracks (1/8 inch or less) were found in the foundation. These didn't appear to be a structural concern, but recommend sealing them to prevent water infiltration and monitor them in the future. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including hydraulic cement, non-shrinking grout, resilient caulks and epoxy sealants.
8) Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines was in contact with or close to the building exterior. Vegetation can serve as a pathway for wood-destroying insects and can retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend pruning, moving or removing vegetation as necessary to maintain at least 6 inches of space between it and the building exterior. A 1-foot clearance is better.
9) The paint or stain finish in some areas was failing (e.g. peeling, faded, worn, thinning). Siding and trim with a failing finish can be damaged by moisture. Recommend that a qualified contractor prep (e.g. clean, scrape, sand, prime, caulk) and repaint or restain the building exterior where necessary and per standard building practices. Any repairs needed to the siding or trim should be made prior to this.

Crawl Space
10) No under-floor insulation was installed in the crawl space. Recommend that a qualified person install insulation for better energy efficiency and per standard building practices. Typically this is R-19 rated fiberglass batt with the attached facing installed against the warm (floor) side.

Roof
12) One or more gutters and/or downspouts were missing. Rainwater can come in contact with the building exterior or accumulate around the building foundation as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.
13) Significant amounts of debris such as leaves, needles, seeds, etc. have accumulated on the roof surface. Water may not flow easily off the roof, and can enter gaps in the roof surface. Leaks can occur as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend cleaning debris from the roof surface now and as necessary in the future.

Electric
14) One or more electric receptacles at the kitchen, bathroom(s) and/or exterior 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:
https://www.reporthost.com/?GFCI
15) 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.
16) One or more cover plates for switches, receptacles or junction boxes were missing, loose, 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.
17) The functionality of, power source for and placement of smoke alarms is not determined as part of this inspection. Smoke alarms should be installed in each bedroom, in hallways leading to bedrooms, on each level and in attached garages. They have a limited lifespan and should be replaced every 10 years. For home buyers, batteries in smoke alarms should be changed when taking occupancy. Batteries should be replaced annually in the future. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in the vicinity of sleeping areas and on each level. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?SMKALRM
https://www.reporthost.com/?COALRM
18) 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.

Plumbing / Fuel Systems
21) One or more hose bibs appeared to be inoperable. No water flowed from the bib(s) when turned on. This may be due to a shut-off valve being turned off. Note that the inspector does not operate shut-off valves. Recommend consulting with the property owner about inoperable hose bibs, and if necessary have a qualified plumber make repairs.

Kitchen
28) The dishwasher was noisy or vibrated excessively. Recommend that a qualified specialist evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Video will be attached to email

Bathrooms, Laundry and Sinks
29) The toilet at location(s) #A was loose where it attached to the floor. Leaks can occur. Flooring, the sub-floor or areas below may get damaged. Sewer gases can enter living spaces. Recommend that a qualified contractor remove the toilet(s) for further evaluation and repair if necessary. A new wax ring should be installed and toilet(s) should be securely anchored to the floor to prevent movement and leaking.
30) The bathtub surround at location(s) # was deteriorated, damaged or substandard. Water can damage the wall structure as a result. Recommend that a qualified contractor replace or repair the surround as necessary.
31) Tile, stone and/or grout in the flooring at location(s) #A was deteriorated (e.g. loose or cracked tiles, missing grout) or substandard. Water can damage the sub-floor as a result. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary.
32) Caulk was missing around the base of the bathtub spout, or there was a gap behind it, at location(s) #A. Water may enter the wall structure behind the bathtub. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary to eliminate the gap. For example, by installing or replacing caulk if the gap is small enough. For larger gaps, a shorter spout nipple or an escutcheon plate can be installed.

Interior, Doors and Windows
33) One or more bedrooms had windows that were too high above the floor. Unless a bedroom has an exterior entry door, at least one window requires adequate egress in the event of a fire or emergency to allow escape or to allow access by emergency personnel. The base of openings for egress windows should be a maximum of 44 inches above the floor. At a minimum, keep a chair or something that serves as a ladder below the window at all times. If concerned, have a qualified contractor repair or make modifications per standard building practices. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?EGRESS
34) The original carport/garage has been enclosed. This space is showing signs of severe water damage. Daylight was noticed through several gaps in the walls/siding. This area needs a substantial amount of work completed before it could be considered a livable space. Recommend further evaluation and repair by a qualified contractor.
35) Floors in one or more areas were not level. This can be caused by foundation settlement or movement of the foundation, posts and/or beams. Significant repairs may be needed to make floors level. Recommend that a qualified contractor and/or engineer evaluate further. Repairs should be performed by a qualified contractor.
36) One or more interior doors were damaged. Recommend that a qualified person replace or repair doors as necessary.
37) Some interior door hardware (locksets) were missing. Recommend that a qualified person repair or replace as necessary.
38) One or more walls were damaged and/or had substandard repairs. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.
39) 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.