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

3) Cracks, holes, protrusions, settlement, heaving and/or deterioration resulting in trip hazards were found in the driveway. For safety reasons, recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary.

4) One or more drains in the yard or landscaped areas appeared to be damaged. Water may accumulate and become a nuisance, or may flow towards the building. Recommend that a qualified person clear drains as necessary.

5) Cracks, holes, settlement, heaving and/or deterioration were found in sidewalks and/or patios. Recommend that qualified contractor repair as necessary.

7) 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.

8) One or more sections of horizontal trim boards had no "Z" flashing installed above them where they met siding. "Z" flashing should be installed above these boards to reduce the chance of leaks and/or water entrapment between the trim and siding. Without this flashing, caulk and paint must be diligently maintained, or water can cause rot and possible structural damage. Recommend that a qualified contractor install flashing above horizontal trim boards where missing and per standard building practices. Note that when trim or siding is removed to install flashing, damaged wood may be found and additional repairs may be needed.

9) This property was clad with composition wood-fiber siding. Various manufacturers (e.g. Louisiana Pacific, Weyerhaeuser and Masonite) have produced this type of siding, which is made from oriented strand board (OSB) or "hardboard." It is prone to deteriorate and/or fail prematurely due to moisture penetration, especially when the paint coating is substandard or has not been maintained. Failure is typically visible in the form of swelling, cracking, buckling, wafer pops, delamination and fungal growth.

Some areas of siding on this structure showed symptoms described above and need replacement and/or maintenance. Some manufacturers (e.g. Louisiana Pacific) recommend a repair process for this siding where affected areas are sealed with Permanizer Plus, a flexible primer made by Pittsburgh Paint, followed by two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint. This sealant must be applied to the bottom edges using a brush. The face of the siding can be sprayed. The Permanizer Plus sealer isn't required for edges that aren't swollen, cracked or deteriorated, but the acrylic latex should still be brushed on these edges.

Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and replace siding as necessary, and/or seal and repaint as necessary. Repairs should be made per the siding and/or sealant manufacturer's installation instructions, and per standard building practices.

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

10) Untreated wood siding and/or trim was in contact with concrete or masonry at the exterior. Moisture collected between the two materials or wicking up into the wood is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Wood siding or trim should be installed with a minimum clearance of 1-2 inches between it and concrete or masonry below it at building exteriors. Monitor these areas for rot or infestation in the future and repair if needed. Recommend that a qualified person repair per standard building practices. For example, by trimming siding or trim as needed.

11) The paint or stain finish in some areas was failing (e.g. peeling, faded, worn, thinning). Siding and trim with a failing finish can be damaged by moisture. Recommend that a qualified contractor prep (e.g. clean, scrape, sand, prime, caulk) and repaint or restain the building exterior where necessary and per standard building practices. Any repairs needed to the siding or trim should be made prior to this.

12) Caulk and/or paint was missing, deteriorated and/or substandard in some areas. For example, around windows, around doors and/or at wall penetrations. Recommend that a qualified person renew or install caulk as necessary. Where gaps are wider than 1/4 inch, an appropriate material other than caulk should be used. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?CAULK

15) Extensions such as splash blocks or drain pipes for one or more downspouts were damaged. Water can accumulate around the building foundation or inside crawl spaces or basements as a result. Recommend that a qualified person install, replace or repair extensions as necessary so rainwater drains away from the structure.

16) Substandard caulking was observed in one or more areas of flat metal roofing. Recommend that a qualified roofing contractor evaluate and repair in necessary.

17) Gaps were found in or around roof soffits and can allow birds or vermin to enter the attic. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary to eliminate gaps.

18) One or more roof flashings and/or caulking gaps were substandard. Leaks can occur as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms and water damage. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

21) In one or more areas a gap was observed in the wall top plate. All gaps should be sealed by a qualified contractor to prevent drafts and fire pathways.

22) One or more attic access hatches or doors were not insulated, or had substandard insulation. Weather-stripping was also missing or substandard. Recommend installing weather-stripping and insulation per current standards at hatches or doors for better energy efficiency. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?ATTACC

23) The ceiling insulation in one or more areas of the attic was missing. Heating and cooling costs may be higher due to reduced energy efficiency. Recommend that a qualified person repair, replace or install insulation as necessary and per standard building practices (typically R-38).

24) The self-closing device on the door between the garage and the house didn't close and latch the door. These devices are installed to keep the door closed to prevent possible fire and fumes from the garage from spreading to the house. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

25) The photoelectric sensors that trigger the auto-reverse feature on one or more garage vehicle doors' automatic openers were located higher than 4-6 inches from the floor. This is a potential safety hazard. A qualified person should relocate sensors so they are 4-6 inches from the floor per standard building practices. For more information on garage door safety issues, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?GDPES

26) The lock mechanism on one or more garage vehicle doors was inoperable or difficult to operate or is not actually able to lock the vehicle door. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary so the door(s) can be easily secured.

27) Significant gaps were found below or around one or more garage vehicle doors. Vermin and insects can enter the garage as a result. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary to eliminate or minimize gaps.

28) Neutral and ground wires did not appear to be bonded together at the main service panel. In the main service panel, neutrals and grounds should be connected (bonded) to each other and to the metal panel housing. This is a safety hazard for shock. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair per standard building practices.

29) Components for the grounding system were substandard. This is a potential safety hazard due to the risk of shock. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as necessary.

30) One or more electric receptacles at the 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

31) Non-metallic sheathed wiring in the attic was routed on surfaces within 6 feet of one or more access hatches or doors, and was subject to damage. Wiring can be damaged when hatches are lifted and set aside, when stored items are moved into or out of the attic, etc. This is a potential shock and/or fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair per standard building practices.

32) One or more light fixtures installed outside were loose. This is a potential shock and/or fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair as necessary.

33) One or more wires were protruding out of a grounding bar shield. Recommend that a qualified electrician trim back the wire to within the shield.

34) In one or more bathroom, a light was located directly above the shower. These lights need to be rated for wet conditions. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate the light for safety concerns.

35) The functionality of, power source for and placement of smoke alarms is not determined as part of this inspection. Smoke alarms should be installed in each bedroom, in hallways leading to bedrooms, on each level and in attached garages. They have a limited lifespan and should be replaced every 10 years. For home buyers, batteries in smoke alarms should be changed when taking occupancy. Batteries should be replaced annually in the future. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in the vicinity of sleeping areas and on each level. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?SMKALRM
https://www.reporthost.com/?COALRM

37) Steel piping for the gas service located outside was significantly corroded. Gas leaks can result. Recommend evaluation by a qualified contractor to determine if piping needs replacing. If not, then a qualified person should prep and paint lines as necessary with a rust-preventative paint. Very corroded pipes should be replaced by a qualified contractor.

41) One or more possible leaks were found at the furnace's heat exchanger. This is a safety hazard due to possibility of combustion gases entering the heating system's air supply ducts. Recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.

42) One or more heating or cooling ducts have come apart, or had significant gaps at junctions. This can result in reduced energy efficiency and increased moisture in surrounding spaces. Recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor make permanent repairs as necessary. For example, by securely supporting ducts and installing approved tape or mastic at seams.

43) One or more heating or cooling ducts were kinked. This can result in reduced energy efficiency. Recommend that qualified HVAC contractor repair or replace ducts or components as necessary.

44) It was observed that one or more exterior vent flaps were stuck open. Recommend that a qualified person evaluated and repair to prevent any intrusion of insects or birds, etc.

45) The pad for the heat pump or air conditioning condensing unit was not level. This unit requires adequate support. The compressor may be damaged if this unit is tilted 10 degrees or more. Also, the pad should elevate the unit above the soil to prevent corrosion. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

46) Ductwork in one or more locations had a damper without a motor. This can cause sections/zones to be blocked or exposed to conditioned air that aren't meant to be. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair any dampers without motors.

47) Gaps, no caulk, or substandard caulking were found between countertops and backsplashes. Water may penetrate these areas and cause damage. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary. For example, by installing caulk.

48) Recommend cleaning and sealing the grout at countertops now and in the future as necessary to prevent staining and to improve waterproofing.

50) The clothes dryer exhaust duct was very long an/or had multiple bends. This can reduce the air flow through the duct, resulting in overheating, reduced efficiency and/or difficulty in cleaning the duct. Maximum lengths for such ducts vary widely by manufacturer and model of clothes dryer (15-90 feet with no bends). If unable to determine the maximum length/bends configuration for this clothes dryer, then general guidelines limit exhaust ducts to 25 feet, or less when bends are present (2.5 feet for each 45-degree bend and 5 feet for each 90-degree bend). Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate to determine if the duct complies with the clothes dryer manufacturer's specifications for an exhaust duct, and repair if necessary. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?DRYERLNG

51) The clothes dryer exhaust duct was kinked, crushed or damaged. Air flow will be restricted as a result and the clothes dryer may overheat. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of fire. Recommend that a qualified person replace or repair the duct as necessary. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?DRYER

52) Tile and/or grout in the bathtub surround at location(s) #B was deteriorated (e.g. loose or cracked tiles, missing grout) or substandard. Water can damage the wall structure as a result. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary.

53) Tile, caulk and/or grout in the shower enclosure at location(s) #A were deteriorated (e.g. loose or cracked tiles, missing grout) or substandard. Water may leak through gaps and damage the wall or floor structure as a result. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary. Note that the condition of the structure behind and below the shower enclosure is unknown due to it being concealed.

54) Rubber water supply hoses were installed at the clothes washer. These hoses are prone to bursting when deteriorated, which can result in flooding and significant water damage. Recommend upgrading to braided, stainless steel hoses.

55) Guardrails at one or more locations with horizontal balusters pose a childing climbing hazard. Recommend that a qualified person repair guardrails as necessary.

56) Trim or jambs around one or more exterior doors was substandard. Recommend that a qualified person repair, replace or install as necessary.