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Home Inspector John, LLC

http://www.HomeInspectorJohn.com
info@HomeInspectorJohn.com
(734) 666-8488
200 W 2nd St Unit 2013 
Royal Oak MI 48068-7084
Inspector: John Rice, CPI
InterNACHI #13090706
Residential & Commercial Inspections
IAC2-03-1663 Certified in Mold and Radon

Summary

Client(s):  Edward and Patricia Gammage
Property address:  5603 Williams St
Dearborn Heights MI 48125-2712
Inspection date:  Sunday, August 23, 2020

This report published on Thursday, September 3, 2020 4:29:43 AM EDT

This report is the exclusive property of Home Inspector John, LLC 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 typeMonitorRecommend monitoring in the future
Concern typeCommentFor your information


Grounds
1) Cracks, holes, settlement, heaving and/or deterioration resulting in trip hazards were found in the sidewalks or patios. For safety reasons, recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary to eliminate trip hazards.
2) The front porch masonry block is damaged and in need of repair. Recommend hiring a qualified contractor to evaluate and repair as needed.
3) Pavement sloped down towards building perimeters in one or more areas. Based on observations made during the inspection, significant amounts of water appear to have accumulated around building foundations or under buildings as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, by installing drain(s) or removing old pavement and installing new.
4) One or more gates were difficult to open and close and need repair.
5) Visual evidence of repair to rear yard sewer lines is present. A recently installed clean-out is visible in an area of the yard that suggests recent excavation. Upon discussion with current owner it was confirmed that sewer lines were repaired and replaced.

Exterior and Foundation
6) Some sections of siding and/or trim were substandard. Recommend that a qualified person repair, replace or install siding or trim as necessary.

A light fixture was removed from the left side of the garage. There is a hole in the siding as a result. This will allow water infiltration that will result in rot and other damage to this wall structure. Recommend hiring a qualified contractor to repair and replace as necessary.
7) Caulk was substandard in some areas. For example, around windows. 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:
http://www.reporthost.com/_docs/FPL_Caulking_Ins_Outs.pdf
8) Exterior dryer vent was observed to be in need of cleaning.

Crawl Space
9) One or more indoor crawl space access hatches or doors were not insulated, or had substandard insulation. Recommend installing insulation as necessary and per current standards at hatches or doors for better energy efficiency.
10) No insulation was installed under the floor above the crawl space. Recommend that a qualified person install insulation for better energy efficiency and per standard building practices. Typically this is R-19 rated fiberglass batt with the attached facing installed against the warm (floor) side.
11) 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.
12) There is a significant amount of construction debris present in crawl space. This should be removed as it is conducive to WDOs (wood destroying organisms) that can spread and cause significant damage to the structure of the home.

Roof
14) The roof surface appeared to be near the end of its service life and will likely need replacing in the near future even if repairs are made now. Recommend discussing replacement options with a qualified contractor, and budgeting for a replacement roof surface in the near future. The client may also wish to consider having a qualified contractor attempt to issue a "5 year roof certificate."
15) Extensions such as splash blocks or drain pipes for one or more downspouts were missing. 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.

Inspector recommends the installation of at least 3' extensions at every downspout.
16) One or more gutters were missing. Rainwater can come in contact with the building exterior or accumulate around the building foundation as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

No gutters are installed on the left side of the garage.
17) Significant amounts of debris have accumulated in one or more gutters or downspouts. Gutters can overflow and cause water to come in contact with the building exterior, or water can accumulate around the foundation. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend cleaning gutters and downspouts now and as necessary in the future.
18) Stains were found on one or more gutters that indicate past leaks have occurred. However, the inspector was unable to verify that the gutters do or don't leak because of lack of recent rainfall. Monitor the gutters in the future while it's raining to determine if gutters leak. If they do, then recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary to prevent water from coming in contact with the building or accumulating around the building foundation.

Garage or Carport
20) The roof surface appeared to be near the end of its service life and will likely need replacing in the near future even if repairs are made now. Recommend discussing replacement options with a qualified contractor, and budgeting for a replacement roof surface in the near future. The client may also wish to consider having a qualified contractor attempt to issue a "5 year roof certificate."
21) floor areas were obscured by stored items and couldn't be fully evaluated.

Electric
22) One or more smoke alarms were missing, damaged, or missing components. Smoke alarms should be replaced as necessary. For more information, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/559.pdf
23) One or more multi-strand aluminum wires in panel(s) # lacked anti-oxidant paste at their connections with other equipment (e.g. circuit breakers, lugs, bus bars). Oxidation can occur without it and result in reduced conductivity and overheating. This is a potential fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician apply anti-oxidant paste per standard building practices.
24) One or more cover plates for switches, receptacles (outlets) 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.
25) No carbon monoxide alarms were visible. This is a potential safety hazard. Some states and/or municipalities require CO alarms to be installed for new construction and/or for homes being sold. Recommend installing approved CO alarms outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms on each level and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. For more information, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05017.html
26) Main electrical panel was observed to be in good serviceable condition.
27) A representative number of outlets were tested and observed to be in good serviceable condition.

Plumbing / Fuel Systems
28) One or more leaks were found in water supply pipes or fittings. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary.

Upon consulting with current owner, multiple plumbing leaks were advised in the utility room but not visibly observed to leak at time of inspection. The cold water shut off to the washing machine was verified to leak. Recommend further evaluation of plumbing near water meter by a qualified contractor should any leaking be observed after sale of home.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition (HVAC)
30) The last service date of the gas or oil-fired forced air furnace 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 inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary. For safety reasons, and because this system is fueled by gas or oil, this servicing should be performed annually in the future. Any needed repairs noted in this report should be brought to the attention of the HVAC contractor when it's serviced. For more information visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05017.html
31) Because of the age and/or condition of the forced air furnace, recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor inspect the heat exchanger and perform a carbon monoxide test when it's serviced. Note that these tests are beyond the scope of a standard home inspection.
32) The estimated useful life for most heat pumps and air conditioning condensing units is 10-15 years. This unit appeared to be near this age and/or its useful lifespan and may need replacing or significant repairs at any time. Recommend budgeting for a replacement in the near future.
33) The heating and cooling system was observed to be in serviceable condition.

Kitchen
34) The areas below sink(s), under-sink food disposal and/or flooring were obscured by stored items or dishes and couldn't be fully evaluated.
35) The sink had minor wear, blemishes or deterioration.

Bathrooms, Laundry and Sinks
36) The clothes dryer exhaust duct was incomplete in one or more places. Clothes dryers produce large amounts of moisture which should not enter structure interiors. Moisture can accumulate and result in mold, bacteria or fungal growth. Recommend that a qualified person make permanent repairs as necessary. For more information, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.pdf

Interior, Doors and Windows
37) One or more windows that were designed to open and close were difficult to open and close. Recommend that a qualified person repair windows as necessary so they open and close easily.
38) One or more window screens were damaged or deteriorated. These window(s) may not provide ventilation during months when insects are active. Recommend replacing window screens as necessary.

Wood Destroying Organism Findings
39) Evidence of past infestation of horntail wasps was found at location(s) # in the form of Nests with no visible wood damage. Recommend the following:
  • Correct any conducive conditions for wood-destroying organisms mentioned in this report.
  • Consult with the property owner about any history of infestation.
  • Have a state-licensed pest control operator evaluate further and treat as necessary.

Insect nest located in near mechanical room of home