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DHC Home Inspections

2 Malcolm Wilson Lane  
Tuckahoe, N.Y. 10707
Inspector: Dong-ho Chang
NY Lic. 16000031156
NJ Lic. 24GI 00099900
CT Lic. HOI 0001098

Summary

Client(s):  Byongwoo Cho
Property address:  3 Woodcock Road
West Nyack, N.Y. 10994
Inspection date:  Monday, July 8, 2019

This report published on Friday, July 12, 2019 10:42:46 AM EDT

This report is the exclusive property of this inspection company and the client(s) listed in the report title. Use of this report by any unauthorized persons is prohibited.

Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
Concern typeSafetyPoses a risk of injury or death
Concern typeMajor defectCorrection likely involves a significant expense
Concern typeRepair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing
Concern typeRepair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance
Concern typeMaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance
Concern typeEvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist
Concern typeCommentFor your information
Concern typeConducive conditionsConditions conducive for wood destroying insects or organisms (Wood-soil contact, shrubs in contact with siding, roof or plumbing leaks, etc.)


Exterior
4) One or more outdoor electric receptacles appear to have no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A licensed electrician should evaluate to determine if GFCI protection exists, and if not, repairs should be made so that all outdoor receptacles within six feet six inches of ground level have GFCI protection. For example, install GFCI receptacles or circuit breaker as needed.
5) The front corner side of the slope appears to be a potential safety hazard due to a risk of falling for especially children. It is recommended a qualified contractor should install adequate guardrail or barrier to eliminate a potential fall hazard.
6) The dryer vent must be cleaned out to avoid a fire hazard. (Photo 6-1)
7) Conducive conditionsSoil is in contact with or less than six inches from siding and/or trim. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects and organisms. Wood siding and/or trim is rotten in some areas as a result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary, replacing all rotten wood. Also, the soil should be graded and/or removed as necessary so there are at least six inches of space between the siding and trim and the soil below. (See, ex. photos 6-2 & 8-1)
8) Conducive conditionsThe outside front faucet leaks. For example, from the valve stem when turned off or from the spigot when turned on. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary. It is strongly recommended replace with anti-siphon sillcock frost free outdoor faucet. (See, Garage section No. 22)
9) Conducive conditionsOne or more downspouts have no extensions. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation, or in basements and crawl spaces if they exist. Accumulated water is a conducive condition to wood destroying insects and organisms, and may also cause the foundation to settle and possibly fail over time. Repairs should be made as necessary, such as installing or repositioning splash blocks, or installing and/or repairing tie-ins to underground drain lines, so rain water is carried at least several feet away from the structure to soil that slopes down and away from the structure.
10) *DRIVEWAY: One or more cracks and deterioration were found in the driveway. However they don't appear to be a structural concern and no trip hazards were found. It is still recommended that the cracks should be repaired as necessary.
Maintaining driveway is recommended every few years. (Ex.; Applying driveway filler and sealer is recommended.)
11) Conducive conditionsVegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines are in contact with or less than one foot from the structure's exterior. Vegetation can serve as a conduit for wood destroying insects and may retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. Vegetation should be pruned and/or removed as necessary to maintain a one foot clearance between it and the structure's exterior.
12) Conducive conditionsGutters must be cleaned out and refinish water damaged areas in the fascia boards.
(See, Section No. 15)
13) Conducive conditionsOne or more cracks were found in the foundation. These don't appear to be a structural concern, but recommend sealing them to prevent water infiltration and monitoring them in the future. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including:
14) One or more chimney bricks are falling off and deteriorated, need to be repaired professionally.
15) Conducive conditionsTrees and/or shrubs are in contact with or are close to the roof edge(s) in one or more areas. Damage to the roof may result, especially during high winds. Vegetation can also act as a conduit for wood destroying insects. Vegetation should be pruned back and/or removed as necessary to prevent damage and infestation by wood destroying insects.

Roof
16) Conducive conditionsDebris such as leaves needles, seeds, etc. may have accumulated in one or more gutters. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying insects since gutters may overflow and cause water to come in contact with the structure's exterior or make water accumulate around the foundation. Debris should be cleaned now and as necessary in the future.

Garage
19) The auto-reverse mechanism on the left vehicle door opener is inoperable or requires too much force to activate. This is a safety hazard, especially for small children. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. For more information on garage door safety issues, visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/523.html or http://www.ohdstl.com/safety.html
20) The garage-house door isn't equipped with an automatic closing device such as sprung hinges. This door should close and latch automatically to prevent vehicle fumes from entering living spaces and/or to slow the spread of fire from the garage to living spaces. A qualified contractor should install automatic closing device(s) as necessary, and as per standard building practices, so this door closes and latches automatically.
21) No infrared "photo eye" devices are installed for the right vehicle door's electric door opener. They've been required on all vehicle door openers since 1993 and improve safety by triggering the vehicle door's auto-reverse feature without need for the door to come in contact with the object, person or animal that's preventing it from closing. Recommend considering having a qualified contractor install these devices for improved safety. For more information on garage door safety issues, visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/523.html or http://www.ohdstl.com/safety.html
22) Conducive conditionsEvidence of prior water intrusion was found in one or more sections of the foundation wall. For example, water stains and/or *efflorescence on the foundation or floor. It is strongly recommended that leaking outside hose cock should be replaced with *'Anti-Siphon Sillcock Frost Free Outdoor Faucet' and applying water proof paint on the foundation wall in.
23) Concrete floor surface is too much damaged and/or deteriorated. It is poor condition and recommended a qualified contractor should repair the floor and apply epoxy paint to protect from oil or water damaged in the future.

Electric service
25) The electric service to this property appears to be rated at substantially less than 150 or 200 amps, and may be inadequate for the client(s) needs. It is recommended consulting with a licensed electrician about upgrading to a 200 amp service.

Heating and Cooling System
27) The last service date of this system appears to be more than two years ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. Even though it works fine now, a licensed heating and cooling contractor should inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed every few years in the future, or as per the contractor's recommendations.
28) Air filter is missing. It is strongly recommended that air filter should be installed.
Location: Up-stair hallway ceiling

Air filter should be checked every month and replace when necessary.

Plumbing and laundry
30) Copper tubing is used for gas distribution of the dryer. Copper is never allowed by code in the U.S. for natural gas distribution. It is strongly recommended a licensed plumber should evaluate and repair/replace the gas lines as necessary.
Ex., Steel pipe is allowed in residential or commercial construction inside of buildings.

Fireplace and chimney
32) The chimney flue opening does not have a screen installed.
Screens prevent the following:
  • Fire hazard from wood fire sparks and embers exiting flues
  • Wildlife (birds, rodents, raccoons, etc.) entering flues

Inspector found a bird nest and crying baby birds in the chimney.
The bird nest should be removed and screen should be installed by a qualified chimney service contractor where missing. Screens should have holes 1/4 inch or larger.
33) The chimney flues does not have a rainproof cover installed.
This prevents the following:
  • Rainwater entering flues and mixing with combustion deposits, creating caustic chemicals which can corrode flues
  • Rainwater entering flues and causing damage to terracotta flue tiles from freeze-thaw cycles

Rainproof cover and screen should be installed where missing.

Kitchen
34) The dishwasher drain line is not configured with a "high loop". A high loop is created by routing the drain line up to the bottom surface of the counter top above, and securely fastening it to that surface. It is meant to prevent water from siphoning out of the dishwasher, and to prevent water from the sink drain or food disposal from entering the dishwasher. Some dishwashers have a built-in high loop where one is not required to be configured in the drain line. The clients should try to determine if a high loop is required for this brand and model of dishwasher (review installation instructions, etc.). If one is required, or it cannot be determined if one is not required, then a high loop should be installed as per standard building practices.
35) The under-sink food disposal appears to be inoperable. A qualified plumber or contractor should evaluate and repair or replace the food disposal as necessary.
36) The range hood fan vents into the kitchen rather than outdoors. Ventilation may be inadequate and moisture may accumulate indoors. Modifications as necessary as per standard building practices is recommended so the range hood fan vents outdoors.

Bathrooms and Bar
37) Bar: The electric receptacle(s) that serve counter-top surfaces within six feet of a sink appear to have no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A licensed electrician should repair/replace the receptacles that serve countertop surface within six feet of sink have GFCI protection. For example, install GFCI receptacle or circuit breaker as needed.
38) The Jacuzzi did not work when evaluated and tried on. A licensed contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
39) Hallway Bath & Master Bath: Sink faucets leak by handle or at their base when turned on.
Hallway bath: One of the sink faucets (left) has low water pressure.
Shut off valve handles for both hot and cold under the sink cabinet do not turn on nor off, appears to be defective.
A licensed plumber should evaluate and repair/replace as necessary.

Interior rooms
40) Screen is missing in one of the 1 st floor bedroom windows.
It is recommended installing screen(s) where missing.
41) Screen(s) in one or more windows are torn or have holes in them.
Screens should be replaced where necessary. (See, ex. photo 40-2 above)
Ex.; Porch door and window screens, bedroom window screens.
42) One or more minor cracks were found in the dining room ceiling area. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but the client(s) may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.