1) Structures built prior to 1979 may contain lead-based paint and/or asbestos in various building materials such as insulation, siding, and/or floor and ceiling tiles. Both lead and asbestos are known health hazards. Evaluating for the presence of lead and/or asbestos is not included in this inspection. The client(s) should consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygenists, professional labs and/or abatement contractors for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit these websites:

• The Environmental Protection Association (http://www.epa.gov)
• The Consumer Products Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov)
• The Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov)

4) One or more outside faucets are missing backflow prevention devices. These devices reduce the likelihood of polluted or contaminated water entering the potable water supply. This condition can occur when an outside faucet is left in the "on" position with a hose connected and the sprayer head turned off. When pressure in the system fluctuates, water can be drawn back into the water supply pipes from the house. If a chemical sprayer is being used with the hose, those chemicals can enter the water supply pipes.

Recommend installing backflow prevention devices on all exterior hose bibs where missing. They are available at most home improvement stores and are easily installed. For more information, visit: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_AE079

5) The driveway is sunk at the edge of the garage floor. This can either be leveled or replaced. The off set from the height of the garage floor to the driveway was 2 and 1/2 inches at the time of inspection.

9) The siding on one or more exterior walls above lower roof sections is in contact with or has less than a one inch gap between it and the roof surface below. A gap of at least one inch is recommended so water isn't wicked up into the siding from the shingles below, and also to provide room for additional layers of roofing materials when the current roof surface fails. Recommend having a qualified contractor make repairs as necessary, such as trimming siding, so at least a one inch gap exists between the siding and the roofing below where necessary.

11) The pull-down attic stairs in the attached garage ceiling aren't fire-rated. This ceiling should have a one-hour fire rating to slow or prevent the spread of fire from the attached garage to attic spaces above the living areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make modifications to these stairs as necessary so they have a one hour fire rating. Other options include removing them or replacing them with commercially made, fire-rated stairs. Examples of possible solutions include:

• Installing 5/8 inch Type X sheetrock on the lower surface of the stair door and eliminating gaps around the edges of the door.
• Removing the stairs and installing a traditional hatch made with 5/8 inch Type X sheetrock.
• Installing a Battic Door and installing sheetrock over it as described at their website.
• Replacing these stairs with fire-rated stairs such as Calvert USA Fire resistant commercial aluminum folding attic stairs.

12) There is an area of the garage that does have a crack causing the corner of the garage door not to seal properly. At the time of inspection the gap was within a half inch.

13) One or more exhaust fans have no duct and terminate in the attic. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms due to increased moisture levels in the attic from the exhaust air. A qualified contractor should install ducts and vent caps as necessary and as per standard building practices so exhaust air is vented outside. Better building practices call for R8 rated insulation on these ducts.

17) One or more overcurrent protection devices (circuit breakers or fuses) are "double tapped", where 2 or more wires are clamped in a terminal designed for only one wire. This is a safety hazard since the bolt or screw may tighten securely against one wire, but leave others loose. Arcing, sparks and fires may result. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.

18) There are three bathroom circuits that are wired together on one circuit breaker. I could not determine if this was the original installation, however the bathrooms should each have their own circuit.

19) COMMON CONCERNS EXPLAINED IN ACTUAL REPORT.

20) The hot water temperature is greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of scalding. The thermostat should be adjusted so the water temperature doesn't exceed 120 degrees. For more information on scalding dangers, visit http://www.tap-water-burn.com/

21) ONE OF THE MANY DEFICIENCIES WITH WATER HEATERS.

23) Copper water supply pipes in homes built prior to 1986 may be joined with solder that contains lead. Lead 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 about 50 percent lead. The client(s) should be aware of this, especially if children will be living in this structure. Evaluating for the presence of lead in this structure is not included in this inspection. The client(s) 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 such as these may be advised:

• Flush water taps or faucets. Do not drink water that has been sitting in the plumbing lines for more than six hours.
• Install appropriate filters at points of use.
• Use only cold water for cooking and drinking. 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 plumbing contractor replace supply pipes and/or plumbing components as necessary.

For more information visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5056.html
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html

24)

25) A significant amount of creosote (1/8 inch or more) is visible in the fireplace flue. A qualified chimney service contractor should inspect, clean, and repair if necessary now and annually in the future.

26) The damper control for the fireplace is loose and needs to be evaluated for minor repair.

30) One or more electric receptacles that serve countertop surfaces within six feet of a sink appear to have no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate to determine if GFCI protection exists, and if not, repairs should be made so that all receptacles that serve countertop surfaces within six feet of sinks have GFCI protection. For example, install GFCI receptacles or circuit breaker(s) as needed.

31) One or more sinks are clogged or drain slowly. Drain(s) should be cleared as necessary, and by a qualified plumber if necessary.

32) The light fixture at one or more sets of stairs with living spaces at both ends is controlled by a single switch at one end. This is a safety hazard due to inadequate lighting. The light should be controlled by three-way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs so it can be easily operated on both floors. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary.

34) The furnace or boiler flame(s) are yellow or orange rather than blue. This may be caused by inadequate combustion air and/or dirty or clogged burners. A qualified heating and cooling contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

35) Significant amounts of debris, dirt and/or dust are visible in one or more sections of supply and/or return air ducts. This can be a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems. The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) recommends considering having ducts professionally cleaned when "ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers". At a minimum, the visible debris should be thoroughly cleaned. Recommend having a qualified contractor clean the ducts. For more information on duct cleaning in relation to indoor air quality, visit: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

36) Combustible materials were found less than 18 inches from the single wall flue pipe for the oil or gas-fueled furnace or boiler. This is a fire hazard. Combustible materials should be moved, or repairs made by a qualified contractor, as necessary to maintain this clearance.

37) What appears to be asbestos is visible on some ductwork. However, it appears to be intact and not significantly deteriorated. The client may wish to have this material tested at a qualified lab. For information on asbestos hazards in the home, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/453.html

39) No expansion tank is installed on this structure's water supply system. Expansion tanks are recommended when a property is on a public water supply system and the property's water system is "closed" via a pressure reducing valve (PRV), check valve, or backflow preventer. No room for expansion of water exists in this type of system. Thermal expansion occurs when water is heated during non-use periods. In a closed system with no provision for expansion, its effects may include:

• Backflow into the water main
• Damage to water heater connections, gas water heater flue tubes and pumps serving washers and dishwashers
• Leaking faucets
• "Weeping" of water through the water heater temperature-pressure relief (TPR) valve
• Noisy water hammer in the pipes.

Expansion tanks can eliminate these problems by giving water a place to go when thermal expansion occurs. When a water heating cycle ends, or when any fixture is opened within the system, the impact of thermal expansion is reduced, and water drains out of the expansion tank back into the system. Recommend having a qualified plumber install an expansion tank as per standard building practices.