1) Structures built prior to the mid 1980s may contain lead and/or asbestos. Lead is commonly found in paint and in some plumbing components. The EPA does not recognize newer coats of paint as encapsulating older coats of lead-based paint. Asbestos is commonly found in various building materials such as insulation, siding, and/or floor and ceiling tiles. Laws were passed in 1978 to prohibit usage of lead and asbestos, but stocks of materials containing these substances remained in use for a number of years thereafter. Both lead and asbestos are known health hazards. Evaluating for the presence of lead and/or asbestos is beyond the scope of this inspection. Any mention of these materials in this report is made as a courtesy only, and meant to refer the client to a specialist. Consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygienists, professional labs and/or abatement specialists for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?EPA
https://www.reporthost.com/?CPSC
https://www.reporthost.com/?CDC

2) One or more hornet, bee or wasp nests were found in the attic in the crawl space at the building exterior . These can pose a safety hazard. A qualified person should remove nests or exterminate as necessary.

3) Evidence of rodent infestation was found in the form of feces, urine stains and/or dead rodents in the attic and/or interior rooms. Consult with the property owner about this. A qualified person should make repairs to seal openings in the structure, set traps, and clean rodent waste as necessary. Recommend following guidelines in these Center for Disease Control articles:
https://www.reporthost.com/?SEALUP
https://www.reporthost.com/?TRAPUP
https://www.reporthost.com/?CLEANUP

4) Microbial growths were found at one or more locations in interior rooms and/or the crawl space. It is beyond the scope of this inspection to identify what substance or organism this staining is. However such staining is normally caused by excessively moist conditions, which in turn can be caused by plumbing or building envelope leaks and/or substandard ventilation. These conducive conditions should be corrected before making any attempts to remove or correct the staining. Normally affected materials such as drywall are removed, enclosed affected spaces are allowed to dry thoroughly, a mildewcide may be applied, and only then is drywall reinstalled. For evaluation and possible mitigation, consult with a qualified industrial hygienist or mold/moisture mitigation specialist. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?MOLDCDC
https://www.reporthost.com/?MOLDEPA

5) Fungal rot was found in decking boards at one or more decks or porches. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

6) Fungal rot was found in stringers and/or treads at one or more sets of exterior stairs. Fungal rot in some stair components may pose a safety hazard. Recommend that a qualified person evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

8) Fungal rot was found at one or more soffits and/or fascia. Conducive conditions for rot should be corrected (e.g. wood-soil contact, reverse perimeter slope). Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

9) The masonry (brick or stone) veneer was deteriorated or damaged in some areas. Where cracks or openings are exposed, water may enter the wall structure causing mold, fungal growth and structural damage. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary. For example, by repointing mortar or replacing broken or missing masonry.

10) Soil was in contact with or less than 6 inches from siding, trim or structural wood. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend grading or removing soil as necessary to maintain a 6-inch clearance. If not possible, then recommend replacing untreated wood with rot resistant pressure-treated lumber. Since even pressure-treated materials can eventually decay, plan to periodically check the condition of any wood that is in contact with earth. Note that damage from fungal rot and/or insects may be discovered when soil is removed, and further repairs and wood replacement may be necessary.

11) Caulk exterior siding and paint as needed.

12) Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines was in contact with or close to the building exterior. Vegetation can serve as a pathway for wood-destroying insects and can retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend pruning, moving or removing vegetation as necessary to maintain at least 6 inches of space between it and the building exterior. A 1-foot clearance is better.

13) Trees were in contact with or were close to the building at one or more locations. Damage to the building may occur, especially during high winds, or may have already occurred (see other comments in this report). Recommend that a qualified tree service contractor or certified arborist remove trees as necessary to prevent damage to the building exterior.

14) Fungal rot was found at one or more joists, beams and/or sections of floor sheathing. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

15) 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 from the soil below up into the structure. A 6 mil black plastic sheet should be placed over all exposed soil with seams overlapped to 24 inches, and not in contact with any wood structural components. The sheeting should be held in place with bricks or stones, not wood. Recommend that a qualified contractor install a vapor barrier per standard building practices.

16) Ventilation for the crawl space was substandard. There were too few vents. This can result in high levels of moisture in the crawl space and is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. One square foot of vent area should be installed for 150 square feet of crawl space. Vents should be evenly distributed and within a few feet of corners to promote air circulation. Recommend that a qualified contractor install or improve venting per standard building practices.

17) Replace rusted and loose fasteners at metal roof. Repair dry rotted pipe flashing. Leaks may occur.

18) One or more attic or roof vent screens were missing, deteriorated or substandard. Recommend that a qualified person replace or repair screens as necessary to prevent birds or vermin from entering the attic.

19) The attic has adequate insulation.

20) One or more ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices protecting receptacles at the laundry area wouldn't trip with a test instrument. This is a potential shock hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as necessary.

21) One or more electric receptacles at the kitchen and/or bathroom(s) had no visible ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection, or the inspector was unable to determine if GFCI protection was present. If not GFCI-protected, receptacles in wet areas pose a shock hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and install GFCI protection if necessary and per standard building practices. General guidelines for GFCI-protected receptacles include the following locations:

• Outdoors (since 1973)
• Bathrooms (since 1975)
• Garages (since 1978)
• Kitchens (since 1987)
• Crawl spaces and unfinished basements (since 1990)
• Wet bar sinks (since 1993)
• Laundry and utility sinks (since 2005)

For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?GFCI

22) Repair damage at exterior outlet.

23) One or more cover plates for switches, receptacles or junction boxes were missing or broken. These plates are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from occurring due to exposed wires. Recommend that a qualified person install cover plates where necessary.

24) For home buyers, batteries in all the smoke alarms should be replaced after taking occupancy. Batteries should be replaced annually in the future. "Chirping" noises emitted from smoke alarms typically indicate that batteries need replacing. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?SMKALRM

25) One or more light fixtures were deteriorated. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair or replace light fixtures as necessary.

26) One or more leaks were found in drain pipes or fittings. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary.

27) Plumbing repairs have occurred in the past. Evaluate and maintain as needed.

28) Based on visible components or information provided to the inspector, this property appeared to have a private sewage disposal (septic) system. These are specialty systems and are excluded from this inspection. Comments in this report related to this system are made as a courtesy only and are not meant to be a substitute for a full evaluation by a qualified specialist. Generally, septic tanks should be pumped and inspected every 3 years. Depending on the type of system and municipal regulations, inspection and maintenance may be required more frequently, often annually. Recommend the following:

• Consult with the property owner about this system's maintenance and repair history
• Review any documentation available for this system
• Review inspection and maintenance requirements for this system
• That a qualified specialist evaluate, perform maintenance and make repairs if necessary

For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?SEPTIC

29) The estimated useful life for most water heaters is 8-12 years. This water heater appeared to be at this age and/or its useful lifespan and may need replacing at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future, or considering replacement now before any leaks occur. The client should be aware that significant flooding can occur if the water heater fails. If not replaced now, consider having a qualified person install a catch pan and drain or a water alarm to help prevent damage if water does leak.

30) A catch pan was installed below the water heater, but no drain line was visible. Typically such catch pans hold only a gallon or two of water. If the water heater fails and leaks significantly, nearby flooring and wall materials, or finished spaces below (if any) may be get water-damaged. Normally, a drain line is installed at the catch pan to route any accumulated water outside the structure. Consider having a qualified contractor install a drain line per standard building practices.

31) The water heater functioned properly at inspection.

32) Use space heaters with caution.

33) A high-efficiency furnace or air conditioning equipment was installed in an interior space. No auxiliary drain line or float switch was installed at the unit. A float switch shuts off the system if water accumulates in the line. Recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor install an auxiliary drain line or float switch per standard building practices.

34) The last service date of the forced air heating/cooling system appeared to be more than 1 year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. Ask the property owner when it was last serviced. If unable to determine the last service date, or if this system was serviced more than 1 year ago, recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor service this system and make repairs if necessary. Because this system has a compressor and refrigerant system, this servicing should be performed annually in the future. Any needed repairs noted in this report should be brought to the attention of the contractor when it's serviced.

35) The heating and cooling system functioned properly at inspection.

36) Recommend that home buyers replace or clean HVAC filters upon taking occupancy depending on the type of filters installed. Regardless of the type, recommend checking filters monthly in the future and replacing or cleaning them as necessary. How frequently they need replacing or cleaning depends on the type and quality of the filter, how the system is configured (e.g. always on vs. "Auto"), and on environmental factors (e.g. pets, smoking, frequency of house cleaning, number of occupants, the season).

38) No spark screen or rain cap was installed at one or more chimney flue terminations. Spark screens reduce the chance of embers exiting the flue and causing fires. They also prevent wildlife (e.g. birds, rodents, raccoons) from entering flues. Rain caps prevent water from entering flues, mixing with combustion deposits and creating caustic chemicals which can corrode flues. They also prevent damage to masonry from freeze-thaw cycles and prevent metal components (e.g. dampers, metal firebox liners) from rusting. Recommend that a qualified person install rain caps with spark screens per standard building practices where missing.

39) Replace wood burning stove as needed.

40) Replace supply lines at gust sinks.

41) Repair diverter valve at guest shower.

42) One or more leaks were found at water shut-off valves for the toilet at location(s) #A. A qualified plumber should repair as necessary.

43) Water was turned off at the laundry sink. Evaluate and repair as needed.

44) Re seal shower to prevent leaks.

45) Evaluate and repair slow drain at master tub.

46) This structure appears to have settled based on the presence of cracks in walls at bonus room. Recommend that a qualified contractor and/or engineer evaluate further. Significant repairs may be needed. If so, a qualified contractor should make repairs.

47) Vinyl, linoleum or marmoleum flooring in one or more areas was curling. If in a wet area, water can damage the sub-floor as a result. Recommend that a qualified contractor replace or repair flooring as necessary.

48) Carpeting in one or more areas was damaged or deteriorated. Recommend that a qualified contractor replace as necessary.

49) Stains were found in one or more ceiling areas. However, no elevated levels of moisture were found. The stain(s) may be due to past roof and/or plumbing leaks.Consult with the property owner and monitor the stained area(s) in the future, especially after heavy or prolonged rain. If elevated moisture is found in the future, then recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.

50) Weatherstripping around one or more exterior doors was damaged and/or deteriorated. Water may enter the building, or energy efficiency may be reduced. Recommend that a qualified person repair or replace weatherstripping as necessary.

52) Evaluate wood destroying insect activity at rear addition. Treat and replace all damaged wood.