2) One or more guardrails were missing. This is a safety hazard. Standard building practices require that they:

• Be installed where walking surfaces are more than 30 inches above the surrounding grade
• Be securely and permanently attached
• Be at least 36 inches in height
• Not be climbable by children
• Not have gaps or voids that allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair, replace or install guardrails as necessary, and as per standard building practices.

3) One or more hornet, bee or wasp nests were found at the porch and under the structure. These can pose a safety hazard. A qualified person should remove nests or exterminate as necessary.

4) Handrails at one or more flights of stairs were missing. This is a safety hazard. Standard building practices require that handrails be:

• Installed at stairs with four or more risers
• Sized and shaped so your hand can encircle them
• Permanently and securely attached, and able to withstand a 200 pound force in any direction at any point
• Continuous and extend for the entire flight of the stairs
• Located between 30 and 38 inches above the leading edge of the stair treads

A qualified person should repair, replace or install as necessary and as per standard building practices.

5) Substandard construction was found in some areas of the floor substructure. For example, ties missing between posts and beams and/or joist hangers needed. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary, and as per standard building practices.

6) No vapor barrier was installed in the crawl space. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying organisms due to the likelihood of water evaporating into the building from the soil. A qualified person should install a vapor barrier as per standard building practices.

7) Many crawl space vent screens were missing. Animals such as vermin or pets may enter the crawl space and nest, die and/or leave feces and urine. A qualified person should replace damaged or deteriorated screens where necessary using screen material such as "hardware cloth" with 1/4 inch minimum gaps.

9) Trees were overhanging roof and were within 10 feet of roof vertically. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying organisms since organic debris such as leaves or needles are more likely to accumulate on the roof surface. Accumulated debris may cause water to enter gaps in the roof surface and leak into attic and/or interior spaces. Trees should be pruned so they are at least 10 feet above roof, or don't overhang the roof.

10) Smoke detectors were missing from bedrooms and/or from hallways leading to bedrooms. Additional smoke detectors should be installed as necessary so a functioning one exists in each hallway leading to bedrooms, in each bedroom, and one each level of the building. For more information, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html

11) Extension cords were being used as permanent wiring in one or more areas. They should only be used for portable equipment on a temporary basis. Using extension cords as permanent wiring poses a fire and shock hazard, and is an indication that wiring is inadequate and should be updated. Extension cords may be undersized. Connections may not be secure, resulting in power fluctuations, damage to equipment, and sparks that could start a fire. Extension cords should be removed as necessary, or a qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, install additional circuits and/or electric receptacles.

12) Replace inoperable light bulbs.

13) One or more plumbing vent pipes terminated less than three feet above a window or door that opens. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of sewer gases entering the structure. A qualified contractor should make repairs as necessary so vent pipes terminate at least three feet above openings to living spaces, but preferably above the roof surface.

14) One or more plumbing vent pipes terminated less than six inches above the roof surface below. Debris or snow may block openings, and may result in sewer gases entering living spaces. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs as necessary so vent pipes terminate at least six inches above roof surfaces.

15) Bathroom vent should be ducted to exterior gable.

16) This unit is heated and cooled using window units and space heaters.

Window units are not considered efficient means of cooling a structure. The client should consider installing a central heating and cooling system.

Space heaters can be considered an open source of combustion. Use with caution.

17) One or more guardrails were missing. This is a safety hazard. Standard building practices require that they:

• Be installed where walking surfaces are more than 30 inches above the surrounding grade
• Be securely and permanently attached
• Be at least 36 inches in height
• Not be climbable by children
• Not have gaps or voids that allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair, replace or install guardrails as necessary, and as per standard building practices.

at loft entry

18) Handrails at one or more flights of stairs were missing. This is a safety hazard. Standard building practices require that handrails be:

• Installed at stairs with four or more risers
• Sized and shaped so your hand can encircle them
• Permanently and securely attached, and able to withstand a 200 pound force in any direction at any point
• Continuous and extend for the entire flight of the stairs
• Located between 30 and 38 inches above the leading edge of the stair treads

A qualified person should repair, replace or install as necessary and as per standard building practices.

at loft ladder

19) Water stains or evidence of leaking were found at some windows. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.

20) Finish flooring should be installed at interior.

21) Some interior door hardware, including locksets were missing. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.