Home Inspection Kings Valley E Conifer CO

A plumbing vent appeared to lack proper clearance from a valley, sidewall, openable window, door, ventilation, or air intake. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.

The combustion exhaust flue was dented/damaged at the time of the inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.

Gutters were full of debris or granules in areas and need to be cleaned. The debris in gutters can clog drainage, or be sign gutters are sloped improperly – Either of which may cause problems by overflowing to introduce excessive amounts of moisture to the soil beneath the foundation. Excessive moisture in the soil supporting the foundation can affect its ability to support the weight of the structure above and may cause foundation damage from soil movement.

Debris in gutters can also conceal rust, deterioration, or leaks that are not visible until cleaned.

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

There appeared to be some evidence of rodent activity in the attic. The inspector recommends that an exterminator evaluate the attic area.

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

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

The insulation is thinner than current thermal resistance (R-value) standards.

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

The concrete driveway was significantly cracked.  Cracks of 1/4″ or greater separation are typically indicating settlement, heaving, or structural problems. These types of cracks may present a tripping hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

Peeling paint was present in areas.

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

The property had areas of neutral or negative drainage, which will route runoff from precipitation to the foundation.  Excessive moisture content in soil supporting the foundation can cause foundation and other structural damage from undermining, heaving, or settling, depending on soil composition, moisture content, and other conditions. The ground around the property should slope away from all sides, ideally 6 inches for the first 10 feet from the house foundation perimeter. Downspouts, surface gutters, and drains should also be directing water away from the foundation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary according to current standards.

The outside water faucet drips at the knob when turned on. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

A wood support post or wood portion of the deck was in direct contact with the ground/dirt. The wood should be pressure treated and ideally be: placed in a metal bracket and/or cement casing, and have clearance from the ground level. Wood in direct contact with dirt will wick up ground moisture and deteriorate at an accelerated rate if routine maintenance is not kept.

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

Cracked or split boards were present on the deck.  This condition is a structural defect and potential safety hazard.

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

A wood support post or wood portion of the deck was in direct contact with the ground/dirt. The wood should be pressure treated and ideally be: placed in a metal bracket and/or cement casing, and have clearance from the ground level. Wood in direct contact with dirt will wick up ground moisture and deteriorate at an accelerated rate if routine maintenance is not kept.

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

Cracked or split boards were present on the deck.  This condition is a structural defect and potential safety hazard.

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

The downspout (s) are missing the proper 6 ft. extensions. This condition may cause problems by introducing excessive amounts of moisture to the soil beneath the foundation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The inspector was unable to verify that the door was fire rated. This may be considered a fire safety hazard. The door between the garage and the house should be a solid wood door at least 1-3/8 inches thick, a solid or honeycomb-core steel door at least 1-3/8 inches thick, or a 20-minute fire-rated door. This means that should a fire occur in the garage, the occupant door does not afford protection until firemen arrive. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The door between the garage and the living space failed to close by itself. Modern safety requirements require that the door between the home interior and the garage be self-closing for safety reasons related to fire hazards and toxic fumes. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An interior wall in the garage was damaged.

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

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection was not provided for all the garage electrical outlets. A qualified contractor should evaluate and implement according to current standards.

Although GFCI protection of garage circuits may not have been required at the time in which this property was built, GFCI protection is now required for all 15- and 20-amp receptacles in a garage, including outlets for refrigerators, sprinkler systems, garage door openers, and washing machines – some items may not be protected on purpose due to the potential for them to go unnoticed and cause damage.

Minor cracking was visible on the interior ceilings.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The interior ceilings have 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.

The drywall showed pulling or wrinkling of the drywall tape at the corner which may reflect structural movement in that area.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

At the interior stairs, the handrail had spacing between components that were too far apart. Spacing of more than 4 ” could allow a child or pet to fall through. A fall or injury could occur if not corrected.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Carbon monoxide detectors were not installed within a specified distance of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes. The inspector recommends the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in appropriate locations. Colorado House bill 1091 became effective on July 1, 2009, which requires Carbon Monoxide detectors to be installed in most properties that have a fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage.

There are no carbon monoxide detectors on the lower or upper levels.

The smoke detector was missing. A qualified person should replace them as needed. The existing smoke detectors were tested if present, but they are only noted as to presence and operation as of the 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.

Some of the smoke detectors appeared to be old and beyond their expected life. A qualified person should repair or replace as needed. The existing smoke detectors were tested if present, but they are only noted as to presence and operation as ofthe  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.

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 shower diverter was stuck and did not release when the water was turned off.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The toilet was loose on the floor. This condition typically is caused by loose bolts or nuts and/or missing floor seals. Loose toilet can result in leaks, water damage, and mold, as well as damage to the toilet, water supply lines, bolts, and drainage pipes. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The countertop needs caulking with silicone along the backsplash.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The distribution piping runs from the main source to each faucet or fixture.

A water distribution pipe was leaking at the time of inspection.

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

A saddle valve was present at the plumbing at the time of inspection. They are prone to leak over time as the rubber seal will eventually deteriorate and they clog up as calcium deposits build up at the small opening. Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and replace it with a permanent valve as needed.

The overhead electrical line is in contact with the tree. Hazardous.

Pipe fittings at the water heating equipment were corroded. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

Due to the year of manufacture, the heating system is assumed to be near the end of its expected service life. Regular maintenance and monitoring of its condition are recommended. Budgeting for repairs and future replacement is recommended. A qualified contractor should evaluate to clean, service/repair/replace as necessary, and certify the unit if possible.  InterNACHI’s Standard Estimate Life Expectancy Chart for Homes

The blower motor and/or wheel appeared to be dirty at the time of inspection. Blower fan motors and fan wheels are subjected to constant dirt, dust, and lint and can become overly dirty when not cleaned on a regular basis and even faster if the air filters are not changed regularly.

A qualified contractor should evaluate, clean, and service as necessary, and certify the unit is in good working order.

An offset means that one section of a sewer pipe does not line up with the next, creating a gap or reduction in the effective opening of the pipe. Most of the time, an environmental change is usually at fault for an offset pipe. Settlement in the surrounding earth or root growth can cause the two sections of piping to shift independently. Occasionally, the problem is due to poor installation, but this is rare.

A minor offset is small and does not appear to be blocking the flow of waste. No action is required at this time. We recommend having the line reinspected every three to five years to monitor the condition. If the offset gets larger, and specifically if it is near the bottom edge of the pipe, then the repair will likely be needed. If you have concerns, consult a qualified sewer line repair or replacement contractor to evaluate if further action is required.