Home Inspection 3480 Hawthorne DrLittleton CO 80126

Plumbing vents appear to be capped. When a plumbing vent stack is blocked up (by a cap, a birds nest or an ice cap), air is not available to the drain system to prevent siphon pressure on the water in the sink traps. Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as needed. 

One or more combustion appliance exhaust flue(s) did not extend far enough above the roof. To ensure proper draw, furnace flues should extend at least 3 feet above the roof, and 2 feet above any portion of the roof within 10 feet (measured horizontally). The correction could include the addition of a flue extension to encourage a proper draft.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair/replace as necessary.

Flu pipe was loose and wobbly at the time of inspection. Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as necessary

Gutters were bent and/or damaged at the time of the inspection. 

This condition may cause problems by introducing excessive amounts of moisture to the soil beneath the foundation. Excessive moisture in soil supporting the foundation can affect its ability to support the weight of the structure above and may cause foundation damage from soil movement. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The insulation had been walked on or had stored items compressing it, which reduces the R-value.

Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

Bathroom vent duct terminated in the attic and did not vent to the exterior of property. 

Minor cracking was visible on the driveway in areas. Monitoring is the minimum recommendation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The driveway surface was spalling in areas. This condition will continue to degrade if not corrected. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The exterior of the garage door has damaged weather stripping. A qualified contractor should inspect and repair as necessary and according to current standards.

There were penetrations in areas of the siding at the time of inspection. Recommend applying appropriate sealant to these areas to prevent potential moisture or pest intrusion. A qualified contractor should further evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.  

The distance between the bottom of wood components and the ground surface (or grade) was not sufficient. In locations that have little or no snow, the distance should be no less than 8 inches. In locations with significant lasting snow, the bottom of wood elements should be no less than 8 inches above the average snow depth. 

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

Peeling paint was present in areas. 

Recommend a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

A common maintenance task for brick masonry is the repair of mortar joints. The longevity of mortar joints will vary with the exposure conditions and the mortar materials used, but a life span of more than 25 years is typical. The longevity of brick, however, may well exceed 100 years. Consequently, occasional repair of the mortar joints is expected over the life of the brick masonry. It is our observation that the most common reason for repointing brick masonry is to improve water penetration resistance. Repointing deteriorated mortar joints is one of the most effective and permanent ways of decreasing water entry into brickwork. This is because the most common means of water entry into a brick masonry wall is through de-bonded, cracked or deteriorated mortar joints. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair all areas as necessary.

An entry door had damaged or deteriorated weather stripping at the time of the inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised.

An entry door was not latching securely or not latching without use of a dead bolt. 

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as needed. 

Minor cracking was visible on the walkway(s) in areas. Monitoring is the minimum recommendation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The walkway(s) showed signs of heaving and/or settling in areas. Heaving is often caused by soil that has expanded in volume due to increased moisture content, or by wet soil which has expanded as it became frozen. Settlement is when the soil below a concrete slab is loose or it can no longer support the weight causing it to sink or crack.

• This causes cracks in the concrete. 
• This creates trip hazards that could result in injury. 

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The lawn sprinkler system supply valves appeared to be corroded and/or leaking at time of inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair/replace as necessary according to current standards.

Downspout extensions were dented or damaged in some areas at the time of inspection. This condition can cause a blockage and potential build up of moisture intrusion into the soil next to the foundation walls. This in turn can potentially cause hydro-static pressure against the foundation walls and create adverse results. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified contractor to repair or replace. 

One or more down spout extensions were too short. Recommend installing 6-8ft long (or greater as needed) extensions to divert rainwater runoff away from the property. 

Garage ceiling showed signs of current or past moisture intrusion. Moisture intrusion is visibly noted by the presence of water stains or efflorescence but can not tell whether the issue is active without further water testing.

Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate, and if active, make repairs as necessary to prevent further damage and/or mold.

Garage walls showed signs of current or past moisture intrusion. Moisture intrusion is visibly noted by the presence of water stains or efflorescence but can not tell whether the issue is active without further water testing.

Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate, and if active, make repairs as necessary to prevent further damage and/or mold.

The garage door was missing a safety release. 

The manual release handle of the garage door should be colored red so that it can be seen easily. The handle should be at a proper height where it’s easily reachable and not so low that it could be in contact with the top of a vehicle. 

Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and replace the safety release as necessary.

The garage door was missing a safety release. 

The manual release handle of the garage door should be colored red so that it can be seen easily. The handle should be at a proper height where it’s easily reachable and not so low that it could be in contact with the top of a vehicle. 

Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and replace the safety release as necessary.

An electrical outlet was loose in the wall. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The walls showed signs of minor damage and wear.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The interior walls showed evidence that moisture was entering from behind possibly including damage and deterioration.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An electrical outlet had a missing faceplate. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The smoke detector was missing. A qualified person should replace as needed. The existing smoke detectors were tested if present, but they are only noted as to presence and operation as of date of inspection. Smoke detectors may work today but not work when you need them to work. This is why it is important for you to test them on a regular basis, monthly at least. Smoke detectors are recommended by the U.S. Product Safety Commission to be installed inside each bedroom and adjoining hallway and on each living level of the property and basement level.

The gas fireplace did not respond to available controls and was not operational. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An electrical outlet had a missing faceplate. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The door had a damaged or missing doorstop.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary. 

An outlet did not provide Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection. Although GFCI protection of circuits may not have been required at the time in which this home was built, safe building practices have improved with the passage of time and building standards have changed to reflect current understanding. The inspector recommends updating the existing electrical circuits to include GFCI protection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The water supply valve was corroded at the time of inspection.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The main water shutoff valve was corroded.

The valve is not and was not operated during the scope of a home  inspection.

Recommend a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The property water supply pressure  measured at the exterior faucet or laundry appliance hose bib. Property water supply pressure exceeded the 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) limit considered the maximum allowable by generally accepted current standards. Excessively high water pressure can stress connections in the plumbing system and appliances is likely to cause leaks. 

A qualified contractor should install a pressure regulator or evaluate and repair or replace one as necessary.

Improper vented line. Qualified Contractor evaluate repair and replace as necessary. 

The circuit labels were missing, partial, or illegible at the electrical distribution panel. The circuit labels provide information describing the locations each individual circuit breaker provides power too. 

Recommend a qualified contractor verify the breakers and accuracy of any existing labeling as necessary.

The manufacturer’s label was missing, partial, or illegible at the  electrical service panel. The manufacturer’s label typically provides information describing the main panel such as the name of the panel manufacturer, the panel model number, the panel amperage rating, limitations related to the environment in which the panel was designed to be installed and grounding/bonding information for that particular model. The Inspector was unable to confirm the existence of proper conditions when confirmation would require information taken from this missing label.

The air-conditioner refrigerant suction line (large, insulated) has damaged or missing insulation in areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair/replace as necessary.

The crawlspace vapor barrier was damaged in some areas, which compromises its effectiveness in reducing moisture and/or radon levels. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The floor has signs of repairs. Recommend asking the current homeowner for more information. Recommend further evaluation from a qualified contractor should the repairs be excessive or of visibly poor quality.