| Home Inspection Report | |
| Client(s): | John Doe |
| Property address: | Countryside Rd. Upstate, New York |
| Inspection date: | Saturday, December 24, 2005 |
Thank you for choosing Upstate. This report is designed to be as thorough as possible, but also be clear and concise. If you have any questions please call.
 | Safety | Poses a risk of injury or death |
 | Major defect | Correction likely involves a significant expense |
 | Repair/Replace | Recommend repairing or replacing |
 | Repair/Maintain | Recommend repair and/or maintenance |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Monitor | Recommend monitoring in the future |
 | Comment | For your information |
Table of Contents
General information
Roof and Ventilation
Walls Windows and Doors
Exterior and Landscaping
Barn
Detached garage
Attic
General Interior
Fireplace
1st Bathroom
Main Bathroom
3rd Bathroom
Kitchen and Laundry
Heating
Domestic Water Heater
Electric service
Generator
Plumbing
Basement
Wood Destroying Insect and Rot
Safety Concerns
Well Flow Test
| General information | Return to table of contents |
| Roof and Ventilation | Return to table of contents |
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1) Trees are overhanging roof and are within 10 feet of roof vertically. Recommend pruning trees so they're at least 10 feet above roof, or don't overhang the roof.
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2) One or more gutters are missing. Recommend installing gutters, downspouts and extensions such as splashblocks or a drain line to carry rain water away from the house. | ||||
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3) There is ice jamming taking place on the front of the house. This will cause interior leaks if not corrected. Recommend snow slides or a heat tape product. Consult a roofer for more advice.
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4) The top three levels of chimney block need repair or replacing as they are cracked and/or deteriorated over time. There are several small cracks at lower levels. Recommend consulting a mason for repair.
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5) There have been several repairs made to the roof flashing using tin and caulk. Monitor for addition repair.
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| 6) Ridge vent may be installed wrong or hust sloppy. No leaks were found Monitor and consult a roofer as to proper installation. |
| Walls Windows and Doors | Return to table of contents |
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7) Service wires from pole are threatened by tree overhang and should have Electric Company inspect and provide remedy.
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8) Basement windows are old. Consider replacing. One window is boarded and the cement work is deteriorating.
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9) Vines growing on building, recommend having contractor remove vines that may contribute to deterioration of siding.
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10) Moss on siding. Clean with bleach and water.
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| Exterior and Landscaping | Return to table of contents |
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12) Perimeter grading slopes towards building. Recommend grading soil so it slopes down and away from the building to direct rainwater away. Only at several areas. Snow cover made it difficult to see true grade. Inspect in the spring and grade away as needed. |
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13) Snow covered ground prohibits a thorough inspection of the driveway, walkway, patio and surrounding areas of the house. |
| Barn | Return to table of contents |
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14) The barn is in poor condition. Several vertical and horizontal supports are rotted, sagging and leaning away from the road. The front foundation wall is bowing in. Expect to do extensive repairs to barn if you consider using. Several slate shingles are cracked and/or missing.
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| Detached garage | Return to table of contents |
15) Driveway slopes toward garage door openings. Water will leak into garage. A drain was installed to carry water away.
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| Attic | Return to table of contents |
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17) There is an open electrical junction box over the kitchen/dining area. Recommend installing a cover.
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18) There are three rafters that are twisting due to excessive span for size wood used. Additional support is needed or replacement of rafters. Roof decking is starting to sag. Recommend having a contractor or structural engineer advise repair.
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19) There were several old roof leak noted around the chimney and ceiling. Not active during inspection.
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| General Interior | Return to table of contents |
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20) The home has had several additions over the years. There are multiple cracks located on walls and ceilings. Expect to repair and replace areas of sheetrock and plaster.
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21) There was an old burn mark by light fixture in upstairs bedroom. Light operated with no problem. Light fixture appeared replaced.
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| Fireplace | Return to table of contents |
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22) Both fireplaces did not fire. Gas was off to free standing stoive. Insert did not fire up. Consult manufacture for operating instruction.
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| 1st Bathroom | Return to table of contents |
| Main Bathroom | Return to table of contents |
23)
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| 3rd Bathroom | Return to table of contents |
24)
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| Kitchen and Laundry | Return to table of contents |
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25) No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices (outlets or circuit breakers) are visible for the kitchen. GFCI devices help prevent electric shocks in areas that may have water present. Recommend having a qualified, licensed electrician install GFCI protection for outlets, over counter tops and around sinks.
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26) Leak at drain under sink. Recommend repairing leak.. Stain was there from a previous leak, pipes are loose and not secure. Recommend plumber repair as necessary.
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27) Range hood fan is inoperable, and stove light not working. Convection over does not appear to be powered. Recommend repairing or replacing as necessary. | ||
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28) Some of the outlets in the kitchen were not functioning. Recommend an electrician repair or replace as necessary.
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29) Ceiling in laundry room shows stains that appear to be old leaks from above. Recommend this area be monitored.
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30) Washer and dryer functioned properly
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| Heating | Return to table of contents |
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31) Filter is clogged and in need of cleaning and/or replacing.
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32) This unit was working properly at the time of the inspection. The estimated useful life for oil fired boilers is 15 to 20 years. This boiler appears to be at this age or older and may need replacing at any time.
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33) Expected effective life of oil storage tank is 15-18 years. This tank appears to be at that age or older. The bottom of the tank has rust flakes. Although this oil tank is working properly at this time it may need replacing at any time.
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| Domestic Water Heater | Return to table of contents |
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34) Drain line is missing. Recommend having a licensed plumber install a drain line extending to within 6" from the floor, or routed so as to drain outside.
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| Electric service | Return to table of contents |
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35) One or more circuit breakers are "double tapped", where 2 or more wires are clamped in a circuit breaker terminal and the circuit breaker was only designed for 1 wire. This is a safety hazard since wires may come loose and cause arcing, sparking and fires. Recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate and repair.
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36) Several areas of the panel show unprofessional work methods. Taped and worn wires. Recommend an electrician review this panel for safety purposes.
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37) Panel is filled with no available slots for expansion.
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| Generator | Return to table of contents |
38) Generator started and operated for 2 hours +/-. Most lights and outlets worked. Generator powered stove, well pump and boiler at same time.
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| Plumbing | Return to table of contents |
39)
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| Basement | Return to table of contents |
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40) No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection device is visible for the sump pump electric supply. Recommend having a qualified, licensed electrician determine if a GFCI protection device (receptacle or circuit breaker) exists for the sump pump and install one if missing to reduce the danger of electric shock.
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41) Stairs to basement do not have handrail and pose a safety hazard. Recommend a carpenter add as necessary
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42) Asbestos like insulation used on heating pipes. This should be tested to confirm it is asbestos. It is in a friable condition and should be removed properly if determined to be asbestos.
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43) Moisture penetration from the outside.
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44) Basement supports are only wooden columns. Recommend using steel jacks on footers to add additional support to flooring. | ||||
45) Insulation installed improperly. Bating should be on decking side, instead of down towards the basement.
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| Wood Destroying Insect and Rot | Return to table of contents |
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46) Basement and barn have powder post beetle damage. Consult an exterminator.
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| Safety Concerns | Return to table of contents |
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47) No smoke detectors are visible. Recommend installing smoke detectors as necessary so a functioning one exists in each hallway leading to bedrooms, and in each bedroom. For more information on smoke detectors visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html |
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48) This home was built before 1978, when laws were enacted in the US preventing the use of lead paint in residential structures. Lead paint may be present, and is a known safety hazard, especially to children but also to adults. It may cause brain damage and retarded mental and physical development, among other things. The paint found in and around this structure appeared to be intact and and most likely encapsulated by more recent layers of paint that's not lead-based. However, recommend following precautions as described in the following links to Consumer Products Safety Commission website articles regarding possible lead paint. What You Should Know About Lead Based Paint in Your Home: Safety Alert - CPSC Document #5054 CPSC Warns About Hazards of "Do lt Yourself" Removal of Lead Based Paint: Safety Alert - CPSC Document #5055 |
| Well Flow Test | Return to table of contents |
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49) A well flow test was performed. The well produced 3 gallons of water for 1 hour. The well was functioning at the time of the inspection. |
