1) Effective March 31-2006, all Massachusetts homes, new construction or units being sold that have enclosed parking or equipment such as boilers, furnaces and hot water heaters powered by gas, coal, oil or wood will be required to have carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can kill. The new regulations require carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and within 10 feet of each sleeping area and in habitable portions of basements and attics. If you are elderly and can not install a detector, ask for help. Start by calling your local senior center..

2) Evidence of rodent infestation was found in the form of feces and poison in one or more areas including the attic and/or basement. Recommend consulting with the property owner about this. A qualified person should make repairs to seal openings in the structure, set traps, and clean rodent waste as necessary. Recommend following guidelines in these Center for Disease Control articles:
http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/seal_up.html
http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/trap_up.html
http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/clean_up.html


Dead squirrel in heating duct and borrow holes in insulation

3) Vermin and other pests are part of the natural habitat, but they often invade homes. Rats and mice have collapsible rib cages and can squeeze through even the tiniest crevices. And it is not uncommon for them to establish colonies within crawlspaces, attics, closets, and even the space inside walls, where they can breed and become a health-hazard. Therefore, it would be prudent to have an exterminator evaluate the residence to ensure that it is rodent-proof, and to periodically monitor those areas that are not readily accessible.

20) Fences were damaged or deteriorated in some areas. A qualified person should repair or replace sections as necessary.

21) Wooden deck surfaces were overdue for normal maintenance. Recommend that a qualified person clean and preserve as necessary. Where decks have been coated with a finish such as opaque stains or paint, it may be too difficult to strip the finish and apply anything but paint or opaque stain. Where transparent stain or penetrating oil has been applied in the past, recommend that a penetrating oil be used. For more information, visit:
http://www.google.com/search?q=penetrating+oil+decks
http://www.google.com/search?q=deck+maintenance

22) Mortar joints have eroded. Maintenance re-pointing (the application of new mortar) is needed to fill the mortar Joints and thereby prevent water infiltration. If water is allowed to enter the joints, additional deterioration can occur and frost expansion will cause the bricks to loosen in colder climates. I recommend re-pointing as needed to properly seal the mortar joints.

23) Painted concrete deck surfaced needs to be repainted.

27) Dry rot is decomposition in seasoned wood caused by fungi / moisture Recommend repair of all affected area[s] as needed

28) The steel basement bulkhead door is beginning to rust. I recommend painting/repair by a qualified contractor.

30) Poured concrete and concrete block foundation walls and floors often develop cracks as a result of normal settlement or material
shrinkage. This is considered normal, and does not have an adverse effect on the foundation.
The concrete floor exhibits random thin cracks. The cracks appear to be shrinkage type cracks caused by excessive water during the pouring of the concrete. Such cracks are common with concrete foundations and generally pose no major problem in terms of reduction in load bearing capacity. Hairline shrinkage cracks should be sealed to prevent water infiltration, radon gas entry and possible wood boring insect access. Professional epoxy injection service companies can be hired to repair foundation cracks with a long lasting sealant, or you can seal the cracks yourself with a hydraulic cement product or suitable caulk. Once repaired, the cracks should be monitored for future movement.
Floor framing in the structure is of conventional lumber. The strength is largely a function of the species of wood; this factor will determine the joist size and spacing based on their intended load requirements. Warping and knots are common in lumber, and checking cracks can sometimes occur. Lumber shrinkage, even on kiln-dried wood, can also cause hairline cracks to occur. This is often manifested by interior surface cracks on the walls and ceilings and is considered normal. This type of checking or cracking does not have a significant effect on the strength of the framing members.
Complete evaluation of the floor frame and the sub-flooring was restricted by the presence of insulating materials. There were no visibly apparent deficiencies at the time of the inspection; however, complete evaluation would require removal of the insulating materials.

37) Many wood shingles were curled and/or deteriorated. Leaks may occur as a result. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

48) The door between the garage and the living spaces does not have a self-closing mechanism. By implication, if the door were left open, a garage fire or fumes would spread more rapidly to the living area. Although it may not have been a requirement at the time of construction, I recommend installing a self-closing mechanism as a safety upgrade after moving into home..

49) Overcurrent protection device[s] (circuit breakers ) in panel #A and B are "double tapped", where 2 or more wires were clamped in a terminal designed for only one wire. This is a safety hazard since the bolt or screw may tighten securely against one wire, but leave others loose. Arcing, sparks and fires may result. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.

SQ D brand breakers present. Some SQ D Breakers allow for Double tapping. Consult with a electrician for recommendations.

50) Wiring used at the building exterior is not rated for exterior use. This is a potential safety hazard for fire or shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and repair as necessary.

51) Based on the age of this structure and the appearance of existing smoke alarms, the alarms may be older than 10 years old. According to National Fire Protection Association, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Unless you know that the smoke alarms are new, replacing them when moving into a new residence is also recommended by NFPA. For more information, visit this article: NFPA urges replacing home smoke alarms after 10 years.

52) One or more screws were missing from the cover to panel #A and B and should be replaced. Because energized wiring may exist behind the holes with the missing screws, recommend that a qualified, licensed electrician replace these screws, or that care be taken to ensure that the new screws do not come in contact with wiring inside the panel when they are installed. Stock screws from the panel manufacturer should be used, or their equivalent.

53) Recommend adding a bonding wire to gas pipe for additional safety.Consult with a qualified electrician for any necessary upgrades or repairs.

64) Some water supply pipes in the basement were uninsulated. Recommend insulating pipes as per standard building practices for better energy efficiency and to prevent water pipes from freezing.

65) Exterior shower water supply lines were routed outside and are subject to freezing. The client should ask the property owner if inside shut-off valves exist for these supply pipes. If unable to determine if shut-off valve(s) exist, or if none do, then a qualified plumber should evaluate and install interior shut-off valves as necessary to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.[ water was on at time of inspection ]

70) Debris, dirt and dust were visible in one or more sections of supply and return air ducts. This can be a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends considering having ducts professionally cleaned when "ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers". At a minimum, the visible debris should be thoroughly cleaned. Recommend having a qualified contractor clean the ducts. For more information on duct cleaning in relation to indoor air quality, visit: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

71) The last service date of this system appeared to be more than one year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. The client should 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 one year ago, a qualified contractor should service this system and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed annually in the future.

80) The estimated useful life for most cooling systems and heat pumps is 10 to 15 years. Two systems appear to be at and/or beyond 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. Inquire with seller as to function, and maintenance and service information.

81) The last service date of this system appeared to be more than one year ago, or the inspector was unable to determine the last service date. The client should 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 one year ago, a qualified contractor should service this system and make repairs if necessary. This servicing should be performed annually in the future.

82) When primary bedroom thermostat was calling for heat cold air was coming out of the registers. Consult with a HVAC tech for any necessary repairs.

83) The Refrigerant Line, at the Condenser Unit (Outside), has minor insulation damage. Refrigerant Lines which contain cold vapor should be insulated to prevent condensation from forming.

Note: With conventional Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, this is the larger tube between the Evaporator Coil and the outdoor unit.

It's recommended that you make repairs to insulation

85) One or more chimney flues do not have a screened cover installed. Screened covers prevent the following:

• Fire hazard from wood fire sparks and embers exiting flues
• Wildlife (birds, rodents, raccoons, etc.) entering flues
• 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

A qualified chimney service contractor should install screened cover(s) where missing. Screens should have holes 1/4 inch or larger.

86) The masonry chimney's mortar is deteriorated at one point and should be repaired to prevent further, significant deterioration. Recommend having a qualified chimney service contractor or mason evaluate chimney and repair as / if necessary. This will likely require repointing the mortar. http://doityourself.com/chimney/waterdamagechimney.htm

90) The dishwasher was inoperable. A qualified person should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Water did not flow into dishwasher. I could not turn water valve and did not want to break it.

91) The ignitor was slow to light one or more cooktop burners. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.

92) The cooktop downdraft exhaust fan was inoperable. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.

94) Leaking or dripping was found at the sink faucet base at location #C. A qualified plumber should evaluate and repair as necessary.

95) The bathroom with a shower at location #C, D and E didn't have an exhaust fan installed. Moisture accumulation will occur and may damage the structure. Even if the bathroom has a window that opens, it likely does not provide adequate ventilation, especially during cold weather when the window is closed. A qualified contractor should install exhaust fans as per standard building practices where missing in bathrooms with showers.

96) The sink drain stopper mechanism at location #D was inoperable. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.

97) The washing machine is installed over a finished living space and has no catch pan or drain installed. These are not commonly installed, but they are recommended to prevent water damage to finished interior spaces below if or when the washing machine leaks, overflows or is drained. Recommend having a qualified contractor install both a catch pan and drain.

98) Dryer vents usually should be cleaned of lint at least annually and more often as the need arises. You can tell if the vent is getting clogged if the clothing is taking an unusually long time to dry. Also, you can tell if the airflow at the exhaust end of the duct is very low. The best type of dryer vent material is a rigid type with sections taped together as opposed to screwed together so that lint will not collect on any screw points that penetrate the duct material. Runs of the vent should be as short and straight as possible. Dryer fires are not uncommon and dryer vent restriction is one cause of dryer fires.

101) The inspector performed only a limited, visual evaluation of the private water supply system, including such items as the well head, well equipment, and pressure tank where visible. The inspector is not a well specialist, and did not determine if the well provides an adequate quantity of water, or if the water is safe to drink. A qualified specialist should perform a full evaluation of this system, and water samples should be tested by a qualified lab.

102) Recommend having the well water tested for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and anything else of local concern, by a qualified lab. For more information, visit http://www.wellowner.org

104) Bedroom over garage bathroom and closet doors did not latch A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.

105) Condensation was noted in one-bathroom double pane window. This indicates a break or deterioration in the seal(s). Recommend evaluation by a qualified window contractor and replacing panes where necessary.

106) The front door's doorbell appeared to be inoperable. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary.

107) The door handle on the front door was loose. A qualified person should repair or replace as necessary.

108) Worn finish on 2nd floor steps.