Exterior
13) One or more outside faucets are missing
backflow prevention devices. These devices reduce the likelihood of polluted or contaminated water entering the potable water supply. This condition can occur when an outside faucet is left in the "on" position with a hose connected and the sprayer head turned off. When pressure in the system fluctuates, water can be drawn back into the water supply pipes from the house. If a chemical sprayer is being used with the hose, those chemicals can enter the water supply pipes.
Recommend installing backflow prevention devices on all exterior hose bibs where missing. They are available at most home improvement stores and are easily installed. For more information, visit:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_AE079
14) Cover plate(s) are missing from one or more electric boxes, such as for receptacles, switches and/or junction boxes. They are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire and shock. Cover plates should be installed where missing.
15) Fences are damaged and/or deteriorated in some areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and make repairs or replace sections as necessary.
16) One or more downspouts are loose or detached. Downspouts have no extensions, or have extensions that are ineffective. This can result in water accumulating around the structure's foundation. 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. 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 so downspouts are securely anchored and functional.
17) Front gate is damaged / deteriorated. Repairs should be made as necessary, and by a qualified contractor so gates operate easily.
18) Gaps exist at one or more openings around the exterior, such as those where outside faucets, refrigerant lines, and/or gas supply pipes penetrate the exterior. Gaps should be sealed as necessary to prevent moisture intrusion and entry by vermin.
19) Rusted / corroded tank apparently abandoned was fond South of structure. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and remove tank.
20) Electrical and plumbing in compressor room South of structure has been abandoned. Recommend having a qualified contractor removed abandoned electrical , plumbing lines, and seal gaps and roof penetrations.
21) Protective poles around one or more plumbing lines, building, backflow valves are loose / deteriorated. Evaluate and repair / replace as necessary.
22) Abandoned lines were found in one or more areas of exterior due to equipment removal.
23) One or more moderate cracks ( over 1/8 inch ) were found in one or more walls These may be a structural concern, or an indication that settlement is ongoing. The client(s) should consider hiring an structural engineer for further evaluation. Such contractors may include:
At a minimum, recommend sealing cracks to prevent water infiltration. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including:
24) What appears to be a sink hole was found South of structure. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
25) Minor cracks were found in one or more sidewalk or steps . However they don't appear to be a structural . Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
26) One or more minor cracks (1/8 inch or less) were found in one or more walls and around/or below windows . 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:
27) Vegetation 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.
28) Parking is deteriorated in various areas. Pot holes, cracked , loose, and damaged vehicle stoppers. Faded paint. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
29) Damaged/deterioration were found in docking areas. Recommend having a qualified contractor repair docking areas according to standard building practices.
30) Driveway entrance is deteriorated. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
Plumbing and laundry
52) Copper water supply pipes in properties built prior to 1986 may be joined with solder that contains lead. Lead is a known health hazard. Laws were passed in 1985 prohibiting the use of lead in solder, but prior to that solder normally contained about 50 percent lead. Evaluating for the presence of lead in this structure is not included in this inspection. The client(s) should consider having a qualified lab test for lead, and if necessary take steps to reduce or remove lead from the water supply. Various solutions such as these may be advised:
- Flush water taps or faucets. Do not drink water that has been sitting in the plumbing lines for more than six hours.
- Install appropriate filters at points of use.
- Use only cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water.
- Use bottled or distilled water.
- Treat well water to make it less corrosive.
- Have a qualified plumbing contractor replace supply pipes and/or plumbing components as necessary.
For more information visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5056.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html
53) Grease traps should be evaluated, serviced, and repaired by a qualified contractor. New grease trap requirements ranging from DERM’s new 99% Efficiency requirement, new sampling ports to revised pump out frequency have made most existing grease traps non-compliant. This leaves most business owners in need of repairs to be compliant and avoid hefty fines from DERM. In Miami-Dade county, DERM (Department of Environmental Resource Management) requires all existing grease traps meet their latest requirements. All grease traps must be brought up to their 99% efficiency standards for new grease discharge devices.
FOG Discharge Control operating permits are renewed annually and are non-transferable. Notification shall be provided to the department upon sale, relocation, or legal transfer of the permitted facility. New business owners are required to secure a new FOG operating permit.”
In most cases existing grease traps have to be removed and replaced. The process requires plans and a permit for your local building department and a licensed Architect, General contractor and plumber.
54) Some of the water supply pipes in this structure are made of galvanized steel. Based on the age of this structure, these pipes may be nearing or may have exceeded their estimated useful life of 40 to 60 years. Internal corrosion and rust can reduce the inside diameter of these pipes over time, resulting in reduced flow and eventually, leaks. Corrosion was found in one or more areas. Recommend having a plumbing contractor evaluate and replace corroded lines.
56) Recommend having the septic tank inspected. Recommend having the tank pumped if it was last pumped more than 3 years ago.
57) The laundry sink is not properly anchored to the wall or floor. A qualified contractor should securely anchor the sink to the wall and/or floor to prevent damage to and leaks in the water supply and/or drain pipes due to the sink being moved.
58) The standard states that the backflow assembly must be tested and inspected at least annually. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate, service, and repair if necessary.
59) Vent caps are missing in one or more areas. Recommend having a plumbing contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
60) Laundry sink is cracked and damaged. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
61) The inspector was not able to find the water meter. Recommend that the client(s) attempt to find the water meter by consulting with the property owner(s), searching for it themselves, or consulting with the local water municipality. It is especially important to find the meter if no main shut-off valve is found because the meter may be the only way to turn off the water supply in the event of an emergency, such as when a supply pipe bursts.
62) Washer / dryer in good working condition at the time of inspection. Appliances appear to be near, at, or beyond their intended service life of 10 to 15 years. Recommend budgeting for replacements as necessary.
63) Recommend replacing washing machine rubber hoses with stainless-steel braided hoses.
64) Recommend having a plumbing contractor video scope waste and drain lines. .
Bathrooms
66) Cover plate(s) are broken at one or more electric boxes, such as for receptacles, switches and/or junction boxes. They are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire and shock. Cover plates should be replaced where necessary.
68) One or more sinks is loose, or not securely attached to the wall behind it. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
69) One or more handles are missing from water shut-off valves. Handles should be replaced where missing.
70) One or more sink stopper mechanisms are missing, or need adjustment or repair. Stopper mechanisms should be installed where missing and/or repairs should be made so sink stoppers open and close easily.
71) One or more toilet tank lids are missing. Lid(s) should be replaced as necessary.
72) Sink faucet handles are missing at one or more sinks. For example bathroom upstairs.
73) Urinal was removed from bathroom upstairs. Replace.
74) Mirror in bathrooms upstairs is not secured to wall. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
75) One or more toilets are inoperable. For example bathroom upstairs. Evaluate an repair as necessary.
Interior rooms
78) Cover plate(s) are missing from one or more electric boxes, such as for receptacles, switches and/or junction boxes. They are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire and shock. Cover plates should be installed where missing.
79) Cover plate(s) are broken at one or more electric boxes, such as for receptacles, switches and/or junction boxes. They are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire and shock. Cover plates should be replaced where necessary.
80) Sink faucet leaks at handle or at its base. Second floor . Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. Also, rust / corrosion was found at sink.
81) Stains / damage was found under sink (second floor) Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. Mold testing recommended.
82) One or more interior doors are damaged and/or deteriorated and should be repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor.
83) One or more exterior entrance doors are damaged and/or deteriorated and should be repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor. Also, broken glass was found in one or more doors.
84) Vinyl flooring is damaged and/or deteriorated in one or more areas. A qualified contractor should replace or repair the damaged flooring.
85) Roll-down doors are damaged/deteriorated. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair / replace as necessary.
86) Minor cracks were found in one or more slab sections. However they don't appear to be a structural concern and no trip hazards were found.
87) Stains, damage, and elevated moisture were found in one or more walls and ceiling areas at N.W office area. Apparently this is due to roof leaks and/or exterior water infiltration. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
88) Stains and what appears to be mold was found in one or more acoustic tiles. Recommend having a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. Mold testing recommended.
89) A visible condition exists in the Subject Property that may indicate that water infiltration has occurred or is occurring. Although there may be no visible signs of mold growth, this condition is conducive to mold growth that could be present in areas not readily visible. Mold testing recommended
90) 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 leaks. Recommend asking the property owner(s) about this, and monitoring the stained area(s) in the future, especially after heavy or prolonged rain. If elevated moisture is found in the future, a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.
91) Minor cracks / holes were found in walls in one or more areas. They do not appear to be a structural concern, but the client(s) may wish to repair these for aesthetic reasons.