1) Safety, Comment - Structures built prior to the mid 1980s may contain lead and/or asbestos. Lead is commonly found in paint and in some plumbing components. The EPA does not recognize newer coats of paint as encapsulating older coats of lead-based paint. Asbestos is commonly found in various building materials such as insulation, siding, and/or floor and ceiling tiles. Laws were passed in 1978 to prohibit usage of lead and asbestos, but stocks of materials containing these substances remained in use for a number of years thereafter. Both lead and asbestos are known health hazards. Evaluating for the presence of lead and/or asbestos is beyond the scope of this inspection. Any mention of these materials in this report is made as a courtesy only, and meant to refer the client to a specialist. Consult with specialists as necessary, such as industrial hygienists, professional labs and/or abatement specialists for this type of evaluation. For information on lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials in homes, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?EPA
https://www.reporthost.com/?CPSC
https://www.reporthost.com/?CDC

3) Defect, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - 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.

Much or all of the siding on this structure has failed and should be replaced. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and replace siding as necessary. Based on the extent of the failed siding, it will likely be more cost-effective to replace all the siding.

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

4) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Based on the appearance and/or reported age of the foundation (or sections of the foundation), it may not be reinforced. Foundations without modern reinforcement such as metal "rebar" are prone to failure during earthquakes. Typically, concrete foundations built prior to the 1930s, or brick foundations built with "header" courses, are not reinforced. Consult with a qualified engineer to determine if the foundation should be replaced or repaired.

5) Repair/Maintain, Evaluate - Moderate cracks (1/8 inch - 3/4 inch) and/or leaning were found in the foundation. This may be a structural concern or an indication that settlement is ongoing. The client should consider hiring qualified contractors and/or engineers as necessary for further evaluation. Such contractors may include:

• Foundation repair contractors who may prescribe repairs, and will give cost estimates for such repairs
• Masonry contractors who repair and/or replace brick veneer
• Geotechnical engineers who attempt to determine if settlement is ongoing, and the cause of the settlement
• Structural engineers who determine if repairs are necessary, and prescribe those repairs

At a minimum, recommend sealing cracks to prevent water infiltration. Numerous products exist to seal such cracks including hydraulic cement, resilient caulks and epoxy sealants.

8) Safety, Repair/Replace - Handrails at one or more flights of stairs were missing. This is a potential fall hazard. Handrails should be installed at stairs with four or more risers or where stairs are greater than 30 inches high. Recommend that a qualified contractor install handrails where missing and per standard building practices.

9) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Condensation or staining was visible between multi-pane glass in one or more windows. This usually indicates that the seal between the panes of glass has failed or that the desiccant material that absorbs moisture is saturated. As a result, the view through the window may be obscured, the window's U-value will be reduced, and accumulated condensation may leak into the wall structure below. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair windows as necessary. Usually, this means replacing the glass in window frames.

Be aware that evidence of failed seals or desiccant may be more or less visible depending on the temperature, humidity, sunlight, etc. Windows or glass-paneled doors other than those that the inspector identified may also have failed seals and need glass replaced. It is beyond the scope of this inspection to identify every window with failed seals or desiccant.

10) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - This structure appears to have settled, based on the presence of cracks in walls, ceilings or junctions between them. Recommend that a qualified contractor and/or engineer evaluate further. Significant repairs may be needed. If so, a qualified contractor should make repairs.

11) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Floors in one or more areas were not level. This can be caused by foundation settlement or movement of the foundation, posts and/or beams. Significant repairs may be needed to make floors level. Recommend that a qualified contractor and/or engineer evaluate further. Repairs should be performed by a qualified contractor.

12) Repair/Replace - One or more windows that were designed to open and close were stuck shut. Recommend that a qualified person repair windows as necessary so they open and close easily.

13) Safety, Repair/Maintain, Evaluate - One or more solid fuel-burning fireplaces or stoves were found at the property. When such devices are used, they should be professionally inspected and cleaned annually to prevent creosote build-up and to determine if repairs are needed. The National Fire Protection Association states that a "Level 2" chimney inspection should be performed with every sale or transfer of property with a wood-burning device. Recommend consulting with the property owner about recent and past servicing and repairs to all wood-burning devices and chimneys or flues at this property. Recommend that a qualified specialist evaluate all solid fuel-burning devices and chimneys, and clean and repair as necessary. Note that if a wood stove insert is installed, it may need to be removed for such an evaluation. For more information, search for "chimney inspection" at:
https://www.reporthost.com/?CSIA

14) Safety, Maintain, Evaluate - Recommend that the client review all available documentation for gas-fired fireplaces and stoves. Depending on how they are operated (for routine heating versus ambiance), such appliances may need servicing annually or every few years. Consult with the property owner and/or a qualified specialist to determine if service is needed now. Any needed repairs noted in this report should be brought to the attention of the specialist when it's serviced. For more information visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?ANGFINSP

16) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - The toilet at location(s) #C was loose where it attached to the floor. Leaks can occur. Flooring, the sub-floor or areas below may get damaged. Sewer gases can enter living spaces. Recommend that a qualified contractor remove the toilet(s) for further evaluation and repair if necessary. A new wax ring should be installed and toilet(s) should be securely anchored to the floor to prevent movement and leaking.

17) Repair/Maintain - The clothes dryer exhaust duct was loose 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:
https://www.reporthost.com/?DRYER

18) Repair/Replace - 1 cooktop burner(s) were inoperable. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

19) Defect, Evaluate, Comment - The estimated useful life for most forced air furnaces is 15-20 years. The inspector was unable to determine the age of the furnace. Be aware that this furnace may be near, at, or beyond its useful life and may need replacing or significant repairs at any time. Recommend attempting to determine the furnace's age (ask property owner or service technician), and budgeting for a replacement if necessary.

20) Defect, Evaluate, Comment - The estimated useful life for most heat pumps and air conditioning condensing units is 10-15 years. The inspector was unable to determine the age of this unit. Be aware that it may be near, at, or beyond its useful life and may need replacing or significant repairs at any time. Recommend attempting to determine the age (ask property owner or service technician), and budgeting for a replacement if necessary.

21) Safety, Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Panel(s) #A were loose. This is a potential shock and fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and repair as necessary.

22) Safety, Repair/Maintain - One or more slots where circuit breakers are normally installed were open in panel(s) #A. Energized equipment was exposed and is a shock hazard. Recommend that a qualified person install closure covers where missing.

23) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - Fungal rot was found at one or more beams. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

24) Repair/Replace, Evaluate - One or more adjustable steel columns were found. Some adjustable steel columns are rated for permanent use, but some are not. Based on the inspector's observations, columns in this building may not be rated for permanent use and may pose a safety risk for collapse. Recommend that a qualified contractor familiar with regulations surrounding use of such columns evaluate and repair if necessary, and per standard building practices.

25) Repair/Replace - One or more joists were notched or had holes cut in them in such a way as to significantly weaken the joist(s). General guidelines for modifying joists made of dimensional lumber include these restrictions:

• Notches at ends should not exceed 1/4 of the joist's depth.
• Other notches should not exceed 1/6 of the joist's depth.
• Notches should not be cut in the middle 1/3 of the joist's span.
• Notches should not be longer than 1/3 of the joist's depth.
• Holes must be 2 inches or more from the joist's edge.
• The maximum hole diameter is 1/3 of the depth of the joist.

Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary, and per standard building practices.

26) Repair/Replace - 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.