Unfortunately inspectors are human and at some point we will all missing something. Having a through knowledge of SOP and a routine will greatly reduce missed items. In the event of a missed item the inspector should do his or her best to correct the situation.
The Siding Needs To be Replaced Or Redone. Hole In The Siding,lets Moisture in the inside. Possibly Causing mold to Grow and Rot Out The Wall Lumber. Dorr the Same Way.Letting In Moisture to the inside of the Wall.Leading To Bigger Problems. Can Also See Light Coming Thru the Door Seal, Needs To be Readjusted.
The iron drain pipe from the upstairs toilet has or is leaking. There are rust stains on the concrete below it and noticeable rust coming from the joint above the elbow down to the bottom of the elbow. Recommend further evaluation by a licensed plumber.
Aluminum wire present in a home needs to be reported on due to the large increase in fire risk. Aluminum wire, especially at the connections with switches and plugs, become loose over time and can become a fire hazard. Single strand aluminum wire may void the insurance, contact your insurance agent to discuss.
This photograph is of an electrical/service panel taken during a mock residential home inspection in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is located in the homeowners basement and concealed behind a panel/door for aesthetic purposes. It was easily accessed and had adequate room to work and inspect it. The panel had extremely vague labelling or key. Five breakers were labelled lights and plugs. Standard of practise indicate that it is not part of the scope of an inspection to determine the accuracy of panel labelling and therefore I would recommend a qualified electrician check, confirm, and relabel the panel and breakers for homeowner safely and accuracy when using the service panel.
Crack along concrete in garage that extends into kitchen area. Crack in garage of Unit D has a diameter of about half an inch. Although this movement likely occurred within the
first 5 years, it is recommended that further evaluation be done by a licensed structural engineer solely based upon diameter of cracking. No signs of structural movement along brick siding.
I am selecting a photograph from the Roofing gallery. I have selected Gutters and Downspouts/Downspout Extension Too Short. I selected this photo as it has been found to be a common theme in almost all the mock inspections I have completed to date. Downspouts should be extended at a minimum, 4 to 6 feet away from the residential building in order to prevent water from flowing and collecting at the foundation wall, and possibly entering the building envelope at the basement level. It is also important to ensure the grading slopes away from the building and that the material is impervious, such as soil with a clay content.
I read the article “A Garage Inspection” and it talked about pointing out truss alterations that have been made after the building was built. These alterations appeared to have been done by a non-licensed person and therefore in the report it will be recommended further evaluation by a licensed structural engineer.
When out inspecting a residence, and a person living in the area tells you of something that happened a short time ago, keep that in the back of your mind so that you will look even closer at the area they mentioned. This will allow you to write it up with your findings and recommendations. I would go one step further and send my results to the HOA of that is in charge of that neighborhoood.
SYSTEM:Plumbing
Location: Second floor, Master Bath.
Inspection: Functional flow–sink and tub fixtures operated simultaneously.
Notes and observations:
No observable drop in rate of flow by addition of second fixture valves fully opened.
Neither Sink nor Tub drain equal to rate of inflow.
Tub stopper does not completely retain water in Tub.
This is the electrical shut off and gas shut off for the heating system. Runs off for natural gas and electricity. It is medium efficiency system. Recommend that electrical shut off panel needs a cover. Working well with a smart thermostat.
Ceiling fan inspection is something people over look a lot. Ceiling fan needs a junction box is very important. People over look the junction box when replacing light fixture with a ceiling fan. Ceiling mount include a ball in socket and a j-hook in case fan falls.
I chose the article, Abrasive Blasting for Mold Remediation
by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward. In this article the authors discuss two types of media blasting as methods of mold remediation. Critically reading this, I note they do not directly state in the article that neither method actually kills the mold, mold spores, or allergens released when mold cells are ruptured. That is significant, as media blasting the mold from the surfaces on which it is growing, creates a complete reliance on the HEPA vacuuming of the area for elimination of the mold. It seems to me that the media blasting subjects in the article, Soda and Dry Ice, would make excellent surface cleaning supplements to some other means of mold remediation.
Inspection of the hot water heater revealed that the temperature pressure relief valve (TPR) valve drain line is not connected. This is a safety hazard as overheated water or steam could release on top of the water heater. Recommend repair by a qualified professional.
It is important for a home inspector to be able to distinguish between normal shrinkage cracks in concrete and more serious cracking due to movement or other issues. Typically shrinkage cracks are narrow and are not continuous through the slab. A crack that is not continuous upon close inspection is typically a shrinkage crack.
The A/C vapor line/return line insulation is deteriorated and missing. This can cause condensation build up and place a greater demand on the A/C system causing it to be less efficient. Further evaluation by a qualified HVAC contractor is recommended.
Steel has been used in the past and is still being used today for siding. Although usually used on commercial building and barns, it is sometimes found on homes. Steel siding has advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages that make steel a popular choice in siding are: Its strength and durability, it is insect and decay resistant, and it requires very little maintenance. Some of the disadvantages are: Its noise level during rain, poor energy efficiency compared to other sidings, and its tendency to rust.
In this photo, there is an improperly installed vent. Flashing is installed over the shingles located directly above the vent. This may lead to moisture penetration. Recommendation: This should be inspected by an industry professional and proper installation should be carried out.
The image of the gutters is showing the bottom of the gutter being rusted out. The gutter on the opposite side isn’t leaking but there are several rusted spots. Also the down spouts are discharging inches from the foundation. Recommend replacing all with new and adding extensions to discharge water away from foundation.
This essay in written based on the artical entitled “Proving Negligence.” What I have learned from this article I consider very important not just for my business, but the industry in general. There are four elements of a negligence claim, duty, breach,causation and negligence. All should be studied carefully and fully understood before commencing a home inspection.