1) Wooden deck or porch surfaces, railings and/or built-in seating 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.

Some of the steps were slightly wobbly, which could pose a trip hazard.

2) Fungal rot was found in decking boards at one or more decks or porches. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

3) Fences and/or gates were due for maintenance.

4) Soil or concrete was in contact with one or more wooden deck, porch or balcony support posts. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying organisms.

7) Some sections of siding and/or trim were deteriorated. Recommend that a qualified person repair, replace or install siding or trim as necessary.

8) Fungal rot was found at one or more sections of siding or trim. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

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.

10) Downspouts at front of house near garage was detached. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

11) Significant amounts of debris such as leaves, needles, seeds, etc. have accumulated on the roof surface. Water may not flow easily off the roof, and can enter gaps in the roof surface. Leaks can occur as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend cleaning debris from the roof surface now and as necessary in the future.

12) Pine needle debris in gutter at front right of house. Recommend cleaning gutters and downspouts now and as necessary in the future.

13) Master bathroom exhaust fan duct in the attic was not attached to a vent hood or cap. (Exhausted to box vent in the past, now removed) This can result in excessive moisture in the attic. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair per standard building practices, so exhaust fan ducts are permanently fastened to vent hoods or caps.

14) Broken cover plat in bathroom. Recommend that a qualified person install cover plates where necessary.

15) Based on the age of this structure and the appearance of existing smoke alarms, the alarms may have been installed more than 10 years ago. 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.

19) Significant amounts of debris, dirt and/or dust were visible in one or more sections of supply and/or return air ducts for the heating or cooling system. This can be a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems. The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) recommends considering having ducts professionally cleaned when "ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers." At a minimum, the visible debris should be thoroughly cleaned. Recommend that a qualified contractor clean the ducts.

20) Filter behind ceiling register grill. (Dirty)

22) Flue enclosure was deteriorated.

23) The hearth pad for the wood stove was damaged or deteriorated. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

25) Caulk around sink was dark with mildew. Recommend cleaning and/or re-caulking.

26) Some cabinet hinges were loose.

28) Caulk around the base of the toilet at location(s) #A was missing, substandard and/or deteriorated. Modern standards require caulk to be installed around the entire toilet base where it meets the floor for sanitary reasons. Without it, soiled water can soak into flooring and sub-floor materials if the toilet overflows. Condensation from the toilet can also soak into the flooring. Recommend that a qualified person caulk around toilet bases per standard building practices.

29) Caulk/grout in the shower enclosure at location(s) #B was deteriorated or worn. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary.

30) The exhaust fan or fan cover at location(s) #A and B needed cleaning. Recommend cleaning fan covers or fans now and as necessary in the future.

31) Handrails at garage stairs were missing. Recommend that a qualified contractor install handrails where missing and per standard building practices.

32) 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 R-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.

33) Some sections of siding and/or trim were deteriorated. Recommend that a qualified person repair, replace or install siding or trim as necessary.

34) Shower enclosure was dirty and had worn caulk. Recommend cleaning/re-caulking.