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American League Home Inspection

ALHInspection@outlook.com
33 Baywood St 
West Babylon NY 11704-5116
Inspector: John Stalzer
16000121637

Summary

Client(s):  Joe Doe
Property address:  33 ****************
West Babylon Ny 11704
Inspection date:  Sunday, November 15, 2020

This report published on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 2:42:17 PM EST

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.

Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
Concern typeSafetyPoses a safety hazard
Concern typeRepair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing
Concern typeRepair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance
Concern typeMinor DefectCorrection likely involves only a minor expense
Concern typeMaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance
Concern typeEvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist
Concern typeCommentFor your information


General Information
1) Some areas and items at this property were obscured by . This often includes but is not limited to walls, floors, windows, inside and under cabinets, under sinks, on counter tops, in closets, behind window coverings, under rugs or carpets, and under or behind furniture. Areas around the exterior, under the structure, in the garage and in the attic may also be obscured by stored items. The inspector in general does not move personal belongings, furnishings, carpets or appliances. When furnishings, stored items or debris are present, all areas or items that are obscured, concealed or not readily accessible are excluded from the inspection. The client should be aware that when furnishings, stored items or debris are eventually moved, damage or problems that were not noted during the inspection may be found.
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Photo 1-1 1/5th of the basement floor was covered with boxes and bins. Unable to see the flooring or take a closer look at the ceiling and wall structure.
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Photo 1-2 1/5th of the basement floor was covered with boxes and bins. Unable to see the flooring or take a closer look at the ceiling and wall structure.
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Photo 1-3 The majority of the garage floor was covered by furniture and moving material. Unable to completely view the condition of the garage floor due to items covering the floor.
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Photo 1-4 2nd floor bedroom on the east side of the home.

Grounds
2) Soil was in contact with one wooden balcony support posts. This is a conducive condition for wood destroying organisms.
Even if posts are made of treated wood, the cut ends below soil may not have been field treated. Recommend grading soil or repairing as necessary to
prevent wood-soil contact
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Photo 2-1 Post 1, move some of the soil from around the surrounding post. This will protect the wood from rot as well as wood destroying organisms.
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Photo 2-2 Post 2, move some of the soil from around the surrounding post. This will protect the wood from rot as well as wood destroying organisms.

Exterior and Foundation
3) Vegetation such as trees, shrubs and/or vines was in contact with or close to the building exterior. Vegetation can serve as a pathway for wood-destroying insects and can retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms.
Recommend pruning, moving or removing vegetation as necessary to maintain at least 6 inches of space between it and the building exterior. A 1-foot
clearance is better.
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Photo 3-1 Remove this bush. It's branches are making physical contact to the side of the home.
4) Caulk was in some areas. For example, . 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/?CAULK
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Photo 4-1 Right side of the garage Apply calking to the visible cracks.
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Photo 4-2 Above the garage Apply calking to the visible cracks.
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Photo 4-3 Left side of the garage Apply calking to the visible cracks.
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Photo 4-4 Above the garage Apply calking to the visible cracks.
5) One or more holes or gaps were found in siding or trim. Vermin, insects or water may enter the structure. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.
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Photo 5-1 Compressor 1used for the first floor. Contact a qualified person to repair as necessary.
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Photo 5-2 Compressor 2 used for the east side of the 2nd floor. Contact a qualified person to repair as necessary.
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Photo 5-3 Compressor 2 used for the west side of the 2nd floor. Contact a qualified person to repair as necessary.
6) Stepped cracking can be caused by heaving. The corner cracking can be caused by stresses created during concrete curing. The corner crack is observer at the location of the garage. Outside corners are high-stress points and that kind of cracking is common in homes from a certain time period.
No signs of water penetration into the building from the basement.
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Photo 6-1 rear side of the home to the left of the back door.
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Photo 6-2 rear side of the home at the corner of the garage.

Basement
7) The only entrance/exit to the basement appeared to be the basement stairs. While this is common in older homes, modern standards require a secondary escape for use in the event of fire or an emergency. Such entrances/exits should allow entry by emergency personnel and their equipment. It is beyond the scope of this inspection to verify compliance with the current codes, and codes are generally not retroactive. Consult with a window/door contractor and/or the local municipal building officials regarding egress guidelines.
8) No under-floor insulation was installed in the unheated basement. 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.
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Photo 8-1 insulation missing in the basement ceiling

Roof
9) Flashings at the base of one or more chimneys were damaged. Leaks can occur as a result. This is a conducive condition for wood-destroying organisms. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary.
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Photo 9-1 Gas Chimney
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Photo 9-2 Gas Chimney
10) Roof was added in 2009 which makes it 11 years old..
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Photo 10-1 
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Photo 10-2 

Attic and Roof Structure
11) One or more attic access hatches or doors were too small to allow easy access. Such hatches should be at least 22 x 30 inches in size, and in safely accessed areas. Recommend that a qualified person modify attic access points per standard building practices.
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Photo 11-1 2 attic hatches are too small for a person to fit through. Recommend replacing the hatch with a larger one.

Electric
12) Additional electrical pics. explanation added to each pic.
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Photo 12-1 grounding wire connecting to grounding rod below the electric meter.
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Photo 12-2 Meter installed on the east side of the home.
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Photo 12-3 Main panel with 200 amp service.
additional room for new circuits. All breakers labeled.
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Photo 12-4 Subpanel has room for growth, breakers
are labeled

Plumbing / Fuel Systems
13) The water supply pressure was close to 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 recommend 50-60 PSI . The pressure can be regulated at the water pump located in
the basement. Recommend that a qualified plumber evaluate and make modifications to reduce the pressure to below 75 PSI
14) Based on visible components or information provided to the inspector, this property appeared to have a private sewage disposal (septic) system. These are specialty systems and are excluded from this inspection. Comments in this report related to this system are made as a courtesy only and are not meant to be a substitute for a full evaluation by a qualified specialist. Generally, septic tanks should be pumped and inspected every 3 years. Depending on the type of system and municipal regulations, inspection and maintenance may be required more frequently, often annually. Recommend the following:
  • Consult with the property owner about this system's maintenance and repair history
  • Review any documentation available for this system
  • Review inspection and maintenance requirements for this system
  • That a qualified specialist evaluate, perform maintenance and make repairs if necessary
For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?SEPTIC
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Photo 14-1 access hatch to the septic tank.

Water Heater
17) The hot water temperature was greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of scalding. The thermostat should be adjusted so the water temperature doesn't exceed 120 degrees. A qualified person should perform the adjustment. For more information on scalding dangers, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?SCALD

Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition (HVAC)
18) The hydronic section of the heating/cooling system is rated to operate at a maximum of180 degrees. The temp/pressure gauge indicates that the unit is running at it's maximum operating temperature. Recommend contacting a qualified person to lower the operating temperature.
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Photo 18-1 Hydronic temperature gauge
19) Duct shows to be disconnected in the basement. Requires reconnection.
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Photo 19-1 
20) The outdoor air temperature was below 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the inspection. Air conditioning systems can be damaged if operated during such low temperatures. Because of this, the inspector was unable to operate and fully evaluate the cooling system.
21) Additional pics with comments
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Photo 21-1 3 Ton unit used for the first floor
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Photo 21-2 2 ton unit used for 1/2 of the 2nd floor
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Photo 21-3 2 ton unit used for 1/2 of the 2nd floor
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Photo 21-4 36,000 BTU used to provide hot water
for the separate zones, garage, and indirect hot
water
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Photo 21-5 Fresh air and venting used by the boiler
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Photo 21-6 Heating and water heater.
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Photo 21-7 exposed plumbing is wrapped with insulation
22) compressors and gas meter installed on the east side of the building
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Photo 22-1 Gas and AC compressors can be found on the right (east) side of the home.
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Photo 22-2 

Fireplaces, Stoves, Chimneys and Flues
23) fireplace is operational. Was unable to test damper due to a fire in the fireplace
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Photo 23-1 

Bathrooms, Laundry and Sinks
24) Recommend that the dryer vent trap on the east side of the home be cleaned.
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Photo 24-1 Clothes dryer vent located on the right side of the home requires cleaning.
Lint and debris collect in dryer vents. This causes the clothes to remain moist. The dryer has to work overtime with more and more heat in order to dry the clothes. The machine wasn't made for that degree of heat. With the debris blocking the vent, the machine overheats. This could and has caused a house fire.

Wood Destroying Organism Findings
25) Evidence of past infestation of carpenter ants was found at location(s) #A in the form of galleries or holes in wood with 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.

This is the only signs of damage found.
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Photo 25-1 Damage to the floor joist
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Photo 25-2 closeup of the damage to the floor joist