Roof
Attic, Insulation and Ventilation
Exterior
Attached Garage
Interior, Doors, Windows
Kitchen
Laundry
Bathroom
Bathroom 2
Plumbing
Electrical
Water Heating Equipment
Heating
Cooling
Structural Basement
Mold Inspection
Premier Partners
The inspector observed signs of repair at the time of inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.
The inspector observed deflection of the roof decking in some areas was noted. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.
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.
The attic access hatch was not properly insulated. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The attic hatch was not the proper size to access the attic itself. The rough framed opening must measure a minimum of 22 by 30 inches to allow a full-grown adult to safely enter and exit. Should there be an appliance in the attic, the dimensions may be required to increase to allow the appliance to be removed.
The 2012 International Residential Code requires an attic access opening for attics with an area greater than 30 square feet and a vertical height in excess of 30 inches.
The attic has was located in the garage, however, it is not fire rated material.
Visible signs of repairs were noted in the roof structure/decking. Recommend asking current homeowners for more information. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified professional if repairs appear to be poorly done or failing in the future.
Cracking from apparent wall movement was present in the siding at the time of inspection.
Monitoring the walls of the house is needed. Most materials including masonry can deform elastically over long periods of time to accommodate small amounts of movement, large movements normally cause cracking.
Cracking can result from a variety of problems:
- Differential settlement of the foundation
- Drying shrinkage
- Expansion and contraction due to ambient thermal and moisture variations
- Improper support over openings
- The effects of freeze-thaw cycles
- The corrosion of iron and steel wall reinforcement
- Differential movement between building materials; expansion of salts
- The bulging or leaning of walls.
Recommend a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.
There were signs of previously repaired damage. Recommend inquiring with current homeowners for any further information. Should repairs be significant or failing, we recommend a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as needed.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection was not provided for all the exterior electrical outlets. Although GFCI protection of exterior circuits may not have been required at the time in which this property was built, modern building and safety standards now require them. This is a reflection of the current understanding of the potential hazards. The inspector recommends updating the existing exterior electrical circuits to include GFCI protection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and implement according to current standards.
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 tree limbs that are in contact with the roof or hanging near the roof should be trimmed. Evaluating trees lies beyond the scope of the general property inspection.
Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
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.
The outside water faucet is connected to a garden hose. The hose could not be removed to inspect the faucet’s current operation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.
The exterior foundation wall had signs of repair. Recommend inquiring with the current sellers for more information. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified contractor if the quality of work is poor.
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 hazard and toxic fumes. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
An attic access panel in the ceiling of the garage was not properly trimmed or sealed and is considered a break in the firewall between the garage and habitable areas.
Should the interior attic span across the entire structure, the attic access should be installed according to current fire rating standards. Alternatively, there may be a wall to separate the garage and the house or attic space. This wall must be covered with at least 1/2-inch thick (and preferably 5/8-inch thick Type X) gypsum board or equivalent applied to the garage side.
Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as needed.
The photo-electric reverse sensors are installed too high from the garage floor surface.
The vertical distance between the photo-eye beam and the floor should be no more than 6 inches.
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.
An interior door rubs at the door frame when closing. This may mean the door or frame is out of square or that hinges may not be installed properly.
A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
Windows installed in the home appeared to be worn or aged. This apparent condition can mean the windows are deteriorated or difficult to operate, and can also mean they are not consistent with current efficiency standards. They were possibly original and were either at or near their serviceable lifespan. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified contractor and budgeting for potential future replacement.
At the interior stairs, the handrail had a railing end that did not return to the wall or post. A fall could occur if something (purse, backpack etc.) caught the end of the railing when descending. A fall or injury could occur if not corrected. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The smoke detector did not work when tested. 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 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.
Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) Protection was not provided for all kitchen electrical outlets. Although GFCI protection of kitchen outlets may not have been required at the time in which this property was built, as general knowledge of say fielding practices has improved with the passage of time building standards have changed to reflect current understanding. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
An electrical outlet was not working. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The food waste disposer was not working at the time of inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
There was no ventilation (exhaust fan or openable window) In the laundry area. Normally an exhaust fan or an openable window is needed for proper ventilation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
A window had a sash that was difficult to slide or operate to get opened/closed. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The bathroom exhaust fan was weak. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The drain stop did not work or did not hold water in the sink. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The drain pipe at the sink had an “S” trap. Water filling the downstream vertical portion of the “S” trap will cause syphoning and loss of trap seals. Trap seals must be maintained to prevent sewer gases from entering the dwelling. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The toilet was loose at 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.
There was not an exhaust fan in the bathroom. An exhaust fan or an openable window is needed for proper ventilation.
Some bathroom designs may require installing an exhaust fan in addition to an openable window to achieve proper ventilation.
Should proper ventilation rely solely on an openable window, the window may need to be opened during adverse weather conditions for the ventilation to happen. Using an exhaust fan is the recommended alternative.
A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
A window had a sash that was difficult to slide or operate to get opened/closed. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The drain stop did not work or did not hold water in the tub. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The drain pipe at the sink had an “S” trap. Water filling the downstream vertical portion of the “S” trap will cause syphoning and loss of trap seals. Trap seals must be maintained to prevent sewer gases from entering the dwelling. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The sump pit did not have a cover installed at the time of inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The grounding rod is not flush with or below grade level. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
The rubber boot around the service mast is intended to prevent moisture from getting access below the roof. There is a defect at the route we’re it is not complete and there is a moisture entry point. A qualified contractor should investigate and repair or replace as necessary.
Solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring was present. This is an electrical hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate the electrical system and repair or replace as necessary.
Aluminum wire appears to be installed on branch electrical circuits in the subject premises. These single strand, branch circuit aluminum wires were used widely in houses during the mid 1960s and 1970s. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, problems due to expansion can cause overheating at connections between the wire and devices (switches and outlets) or at splices, which has resulted in fires. For further information on aluminum wiring contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission via the Internet at http://www.cpsc.gov.
For more details, visit InterNACHI’s Free Inspection Library.
The panel dead front is held in place with sharp screws. Sharp screws could damage the wires inside the panel. A qualified electrician should make a recommendation and repair or replace.
The expansion tank was not properly secured. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
Flames were not entirely burning a blue color. Orange and yellow flames may be an indicator the fuel-air mixture is not right and gas may not be burning as efficiently as possible. Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate to adjust, repair, or replace fuel-burning components as necessary.
Based on the age of the heating system it is recommended that it be cleaned and serviced and certified (if possible) by an HVAC professional.
The heating system did fire and appeared to be in serviceable condition at the time of the inspection. However, the appearance of the flames during operation indicated that gas combustion was not correct. Cleaning, servicing and/or certification of the HVAC system by a qualified contractor is recommended and repaired or replaced as necessary.
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.
There was dense vegetation around the exterior cooling unit. When vegetation is too close to the unit, it can limit heat dissipation and limit effectiveness.
A qualified contractor should evaluate and cut back vegetation as necessary to improve performance.
The exterior compressor unit was not level. Over time, this may result in noisy fan operation, damage to the fan bearings and a shortened fan lifespan, or it may result in movement of the compressor housing which can cause leaks in refrigerant lines resulting in expensive service. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.
There were minor to moderate cracks in the basement foundation wall. These cracks should be sealed to prevent moisture intrusion and monitored for further movement. Further analysis by a licensed structural engineer is recommended. Axium recommends our premier partner – Level Engineering. They can be contacted at 720-706-8540 or online at www.axiuminspections.com/structural-engineer.
Significant cracks were observed at the basement foundation walls. Recommend sealing the cracks to prevent moisture intrusion. Further analysis by a licensed structural engineer is recommended. Axium recommends our premier partner – Level Engineering. They can be contacted at 720-706-8540 or online at www.axiuminspections.com/structural-engineer.
