This report published on Monday, June 14, 2021 10:08:05 PM EDT
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How to Read this Report
This report is organized by the property's functional areas. Within each functional area, descriptive information is listed first and is shown in bold type. Items of concern follow descriptive information.
Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
Safety
Poses a safety hazard
Repair/Replace
Recommend repairing or replacing
Repair/Maintain
Recommend repair and/or maintenance
Evaluate
Recommend evaluation by a specialist
Comment
For your information
Click here for a glossary of building construction terms.Contact your inspector If there are terms that you do not understand, or visit the glossary of construction terms at https://www.reporthost.com/glossary.asp
Client present for discussion at end of inspection: No
Weather conditions during inspection: Dry (no rain)
Temperature during inspection: Cool
Type of building: Duplex
Buildings inspected: One house, One detached garage
Number of residential units inspected: 1
Source for main building age: Client
Front of building faces: West
Main entrance faces: West
Occupied: No
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) Microbial growths were found at one or more locations in the garage. It is beyond the scope of this inspection to identify what substance or organism this staining is. However such staining is normally caused by excessively moist conditions, which in turn can be caused by plumbing or building envelope leaks and/or substandard ventilation. These conducive conditions should be corrected before making any attempts to remove or correct the staining. Normally affected materials such as drywall are removed, enclosed affected spaces are allowed to dry thoroughly, a mildewcide may be applied, and only then is drywall reinstalled. For evaluation and possible mitigation, consult with a qualified industrial hygienist or mold/moisture mitigation specialist. For more information, visit: http://www.reporthost.com/?MOLDCDC http://www.reporthost.com/?MOLDEPA
3) The water service was not turned on during the inspection. The inspector operates only "normal" controls such as faucets, and does not operate shut-off valves to the water meter or house. As a result, plumbing supply, drain waste and vent lines, traps, pumps, fixtures, and some appliances such as water heaters weren't fully evaluated. The water pressure was not determined. Recommend that a qualified person make a full evaluation of the plumbing system after the water supply is turned back on. Areas below the house should be evaluated after plumbing has been operated to check for leaks. Any problems that are found after this evaluation should be repaired by a qualified plumber.
4) The natural gas service was not turned on during the inspection. The inspector operates only "normal" controls such as thermostats, stove burner knobs, and on/off switches, and does not operate gas shut-off valves or activate pilot lights. As a result, items such as but not limited to the gas supply system, gas-fired water heater(s), gas-fired forced air furnace(s), gas fireplace(s), stove(s), and range(s) weren't fully evaluated. The inspector was unable to test for gas leaks. Recommend that a qualified person make a full evaluation of the gas supply system and gas-fired appliances after the gas supply is turned back on. Any problems that are found after this evaluation should be repaired by a qualified contractor.
5) The client should be aware that prior to 1976, factory-built homes in America were built only according to voluntary standards. Because this building was built prior to 1976, it may be significantly substandard in safety, efficiency, quality, durability, etc. Factory-built homes since 1976 have been required to comply with federal construction and safety standards (the HUD Code). This code is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and standardizes design, construction, energy efficiency, fire resistance, transportability, strength, and durability. It also mandates performance standards for the electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal, and heating systems.
Limitations: Unless specifically included in the inspection, the following items and any related equipment, controls, electric systems and/or plumbing systems are excluded from this inspection: detached buildings or structures; fences and gates; retaining walls; underground drainage systems, catch basins or concealed sump pumps; swimming pools and related safety equipment, spas, hot tubs or saunas; whether deck, balcony and/or stair membranes are watertight; trees, landscaping, properties of soil, soil stability, erosion and erosion control; ponds, water features, irrigation or yard sprinkler systems; sport courts, playground, recreation or leisure equipment; areas below the exterior structures with less than 3 feet of vertical clearance; invisible fencing; sea walls, docks and boathouses; retractable awnings. Any comments made regarding these items are as a courtesy only.
Site profile: Steep slope, Slope toward street.
Sidewalk material: Poured in place concrete
6) Minor deterioration (e.g. cracks, holes, settlement, heaving) was found in sidewalks or patios, but no trip hazards were found. The client may wish to have repairs made for cosmetic reasons.
Limitations: The inspector performs a visual inspection of accessible components or systems at the exterior. Items excluded from this inspection include below-grade foundation walls and footings; foundations, exterior surfaces or components obscured by vegetation, stored items or debris; wall structures obscured by coverings such as siding or trim. Some items such as siding, trim, soffits, vents and windows are often high off the ground, and may be viewed using binoculars from the ground or from a ladder. This may limit a full evaluation. Regarding foundations, some amount of cracking is normal in concrete slabs and foundation walls due to shrinkage and drying. Note that the inspector does not determine the adequacy of seismic reinforcement.
Wall inspection method: Viewed from ground
Condition of wall exterior covering: Appeared serviceable
Apparent wall structure: Brick
Wall covering: Solid brick (not veneer)
Apparent foundation type: Concrete garage slab
7) Based on the appearance of the siding and the age of this structure, the exterior siding material may contain asbestos. The EPA recommends leaving such siding in place and undisturbed, and maintaining a paint coat for encapsulation. Modern cement-based siding with no asbestos content, often with a similar appearance, is available for repairs when needed. The client should be aware that this siding may contain asbestos when considering repairing or replacing it. At that time or before if the client has concerns, consult with a qualified abatement specialist and/or testing lab. For more information, visit: http://www.reporthost.com/?AITH http://www.reporthost.com/?EPAASB
8) 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.
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9) Footings appeared to be missing from below the foundation. While this is not unusual in some older homes, Poured-in-place concrete footings should be installed below foundations. Without footings, foundations are prone to settlement and subsequent failure. Consult with a qualified structural and/or geotechnical engineer to determine if repairs are needed. Repairs should be made by a qualified contractor and per standard building practices.
