Cedar Valley Inspections, LLC
819 Haines St
Sedro Woolley WA 98284-1113
Sedro Woolley WA 98284-1113
Inspector: Jason Matheny
Summary
| Client(s): | Max Chmielewski |
| Property address: | 1404 Welling Rd Bellingham WA 98226-6813 |
| Inspection date: | Monday, April 6, 2020 |
This report published on Monday, April 6, 2020 10:43:32 PM PDT
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.
 | Safety | Poses a safety hazard |
 | Major Defect | Correction likely involves a significant expense |
 | Repair/Replace | Recommend repairing or replacing |
 | Repair/Maintain | Recommend repair and/or maintenance |
 | Maintain | Recommend ongoing maintenance |
 | Evaluate | Recommend evaluation by a specialist |
 | Monitor | Recommend monitoring in the future |
 | Comment | For your information |
Site and Grounds
1) The driveway sloped down towards the garage or house. This can result in water accumulating in the garage, around building foundations or underneath buildings, and is a condition conducive to attracting wood destroying organisms. Monitor these areas in the future, especially during and after periods of rain. If significant amounts of water are found to accumulate, then I recommend that a qualified paving contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, by installing drain(s) or removing and installing new pavement.
The driveway sloped down towards the garage or house. This can result in water accumulating in the garage, around building foundations or underneath buildings, and is a condition conducive to attracting wood destroying organisms. Monitor these areas in the future, especially during and after periods of rain. If significant amounts of water are found to accumulate, then I recommend that a qualified paving contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. For example, by installing drain(s) or removing and installing new pavement.
Exterior
3) The guardrail balusters (pickets) were noted with a 6" spacing. While this can be typical on homes of this age, modern building practices call for no less than 4" spacing on these balusters to inhibit the falling risk for toddlers and smaller children. Extra care should be taken whenever younger/smaller children are present.
The guardrail balusters (pickets) were noted with a 6" spacing. While this can be typical on homes of this age, modern building practices call for no less than 4" spacing on these balusters to inhibit the falling risk for toddlers and smaller children. Extra care should be taken whenever younger/smaller children are present.
4) The guardrail-to-house connection on the northeast corner of the deck was not completely and securely fastened to the house. This can reduce the integrity of the guardrail as well as allow moisture in between the guardrail and house exterior siding, increasing the risk of fall and lead to conditions conducive to rot and/or other wood-destroying organisms. I recommend properly and completely securing this guardrail to avoid such risks. Work to be completed by licensed general contractor or other qualified party.
The guardrail-to-house connection on the northeast corner of the deck was not completely and securely fastened to the house. This can reduce the integrity of the guardrail as well as allow moisture in between the guardrail and house exterior siding, increasing the risk of fall and lead to conditions conducive to rot and/or other wood-destroying organisms. I recommend properly and completely securing this guardrail to avoid such risks. Work to be completed by licensed general contractor or other qualified party.
5) The porch/ramp on the front entrance was noted with substandard building practices (i.e. lack of lag bolts/screws, lack of joist hangers/fasteners, wood-to-pavement contact, etc.). If the porch is to remain in place, I recommend further evaluation and necessary repairs to be completed by qualified licensed general contractor utilizing current best building practices.
The porch/ramp on the front entrance was noted with substandard building practices (i.e. lack of lag bolts/screws, lack of joist hangers/fasteners, wood-to-pavement contact, etc.). If the porch is to remain in place, I recommend further evaluation and necessary repairs to be completed by qualified licensed general contractor utilizing current best building practices.
Electric System
8) The functionality of, power source for, and placement of, smoke alarms was undetermined as part of this inspection. Smoke alarms should be installed in each bedroom, in hallways leading to bedrooms, and on every floor level. The devices have a limited lifespan and should be replaced every 10 years: Batteries should be changed when taking occupancy and annually in the future. In a related matter, per law, carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in close proximity to each sleeping area and on every floor level. Upon taking occupancy, or prior to, I recommend that clients verify functionality and sufficiency of smoke and CO alarms. Obviously, an insufficient number of working smoke alarms and/or CO alarms pose fire and life safety hazards.Any essential work such as installation or replacement of device(s) should be completed by a qualified person.
The functionality of, power source for, and placement of, smoke alarms was undetermined as part of this inspection. Smoke alarms should be installed in each bedroom, in hallways leading to bedrooms, and on every floor level. The devices have a limited lifespan and should be replaced every 10 years: Batteries should be changed when taking occupancy and annually in the future. In a related matter, per law, carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in close proximity to each sleeping area and on every floor level. Upon taking occupancy, or prior to, I recommend that clients verify functionality and sufficiency of smoke and CO alarms. Obviously, an insufficient number of working smoke alarms and/or CO alarms pose fire and life safety hazards.Any essential work such as installation or replacement of device(s) should be completed by a qualified person.
9) The electrical receptacles in the master bedroom and the receptacle to the west of the sliding glass door did not appear to be properly grounded. This can pose an electrical risk to devices plugged into these receptacles and, in turn, pose a risk to the user of said plugged-in devices. I recommend further evaluation and necessary repairs to be completed by qualified licensed electrical contractor.
The electrical receptacles in the master bedroom and the receptacle to the west of the sliding glass door did not appear to be properly grounded. This can pose an electrical risk to devices plugged into these receptacles and, in turn, pose a risk to the user of said plugged-in devices. I recommend further evaluation and necessary repairs to be completed by qualified licensed electrical contractor.
10) The electrical receptacle located on the south wall of the master bedroom (wall common to master bathroom) was loose/wobbly. This can result in mechanical damage to the receptacle wiring and, in turn, pose an electrical hazard. I recommend a qualified licensed electrical contractor remove and reset or replace the receptacle to prevent such risks.
The electrical receptacle located on the south wall of the master bedroom (wall common to master bathroom) was loose/wobbly. This can result in mechanical damage to the receptacle wiring and, in turn, pose an electrical hazard. I recommend a qualified licensed electrical contractor remove and reset or replace the receptacle to prevent such risks.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
11) The estimated useful life for most forced air furnaces is 15-20 years. This furnace appeared to be beyond its useful lifespan. It may need to be replaced or require significant repairs at any time. I recommend further evaluation, replacement as might be necessary, with work to be completed by a qualified HVAC professional.
I strongly recommend replacing/cleaning filters at time of real estate transaction, regardless of the last verified service date.
The estimated useful life for most forced air furnaces is 15-20 years. This furnace appeared to be beyond its useful lifespan. It may need to be replaced or require significant repairs at any time. I recommend further evaluation, replacement as might be necessary, with work to be completed by a qualified HVAC professional.I strongly recommend replacing/cleaning filters at time of real estate transaction, regardless of the last verified service date.
Water Heater(s)
12) The temperature-pressure relief valve drain line was too short. This is a safety concern that contributes to the risk of scalding burns. This risk is less worrisome because of its location in the garage, but still to be taken seriously. If concerned, I recommend that a qualified and licensed plumbing or HVAC contractor repair/replace. For example, by extending the drain line to within 6 inches of the floor, or routing it to drain outside. For more information, visit: https://www.reporthost.com/?TPRVALVE
The temperature-pressure relief valve drain line was too short. This is a safety concern that contributes to the risk of scalding burns. This risk is less worrisome because of its location in the garage, but still to be taken seriously. If concerned, I recommend that a qualified and licensed plumbing or HVAC contractor repair/replace. For example, by extending the drain line to within 6 inches of the floor, or routing it to drain outside. For more information, visit: https://www.reporthost.com/?TPRVALVEPlumbing System
13) The water supply pressure was greater than 80 pounds per square inch (PSI). Pressures above 80 PSI may void warranties for some appliances such as water heaters or washing machines. Flexible supply lines to washing machines are likely to burst with higher pressures. 40-80 PSI is considered the normal range for water pressure in a home, and most plumbers suggest 50-60 PSI. Typically, the pressure cannot be regulated at the water meter. I recommend that a qualified plumbing contractor evaluate and make modifications to reduce the pressure to below 80 PSI. Installing a pressure reducing valve on the main service pipe is a common solution to this problem. If one exists, then it should be adjusted, repaired or replaced as necessary to maintain lower pressures. Note that installing a pressure reducing valve creates a "closed system," which may require installing an expansion tank at the water heater if one is not already installed.
The water supply pressure was greater than 80 pounds per square inch (PSI). Pressures above 80 PSI may void warranties for some appliances such as water heaters or washing machines. Flexible supply lines to washing machines are likely to burst with higher pressures. 40-80 PSI is considered the normal range for water pressure in a home, and most plumbers suggest 50-60 PSI. Typically, the pressure cannot be regulated at the water meter. I recommend that a qualified plumbing contractor evaluate and make modifications to reduce the pressure to below 80 PSI. Installing a pressure reducing valve on the main service pipe is a common solution to this problem. If one exists, then it should be adjusted, repaired or replaced as necessary to maintain lower pressures. Note that installing a pressure reducing valve creates a "closed system," which may require installing an expansion tank at the water heater if one is not already installed.