Home Inspection S Newton St Littleton CO

Some of the shingles appeared to be de-granulated in areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.

One or more combustion appliance exhaust flue(s) did not extend far enough above the roof. To ensure proper and safe operation, exhaust flues should extend at least 3 feet above the roof, and 2 feet above any portion of the roof within 10 feet (measured horizontally).  A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.

The mortar crown was damaged, cracked, or deteriorated at the time of inspection. This condition could allow moisture to penetrate the chimney. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised prior to the inspection objection deadline.

Gutters were full of debris or granules in areas and need to be cleaned. The debris in gutters can clog drainage, or be sign gutters are sloped improperly – Either of which may cause problems by overflowing to introduce excessive amounts of moisture to the soil beneath the foundation. Excessive moisture in the soil supporting the foundation can affect its ability to support the weight of the structure above and may cause foundation damage from soil movement.

Debris in gutters can also conceal rust, deterioration, or leaks that are not visible until cleaned.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The driveway showed signs of heaving and/or settling in areas. Heaving is often caused by soil that has expanded in volume due to increased moisture content, or by wet soil which has expanded as it became frozen. Settlement is when the soil below a concrete slab is loose, or it can no longer support the weight causing it to sink or crack. This condition could potentially cause a trip hazard.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The siding and/or trim were damaged in areas of the exterior.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The exterior wall-covering material was loose in one or more areas.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

A common maintenance task for brick masonry is the repair of mortar joints. The longevity of mortar joints will vary with the exposure conditions and the mortar materials used, but a life span of more than 25 years is typical. The longevity of brick, however, may well exceed 100 years. Consequently, occasional repair of the mortar joints is expected over the life of the brick masonry. It is our observation that the most common reason for repointing brick masonry is to improve water penetration resistance. Repointing deteriorated mortar joints is one of the most effective and permanent ways of decreasing water entry into brickwork. This is because the most common means of water entry into a brick masonry wall is through de-bonded, cracked, or deteriorated mortar joints. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair all areas as necessary.

Components of the eaves, facia, and/or soffit were deteriorated or rotted. Adjacent portions may also have signs of water damage and be warped, swollen, or have peeling paint and will eventually begin to rot if left untreated or the cause has not been corrected.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

There were signs of moderate cracking on the walkway(s) in areas. Cracks that progress to a separation of 1/4″ and more would be an indication of settlement, heaving, or structural problems. Cracks may present a tripping hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

The walkway(s) had surface spalling in areas. This condition will continue to degrade if not corrected. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Grade has eroded or was poorly back-filled near the foundation wall, patio, or stairway. This may allow moisture to pool near the structure, and this may allow significant cracking if not corrected.

Recommend a qualified contractor to evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The property had areas of neutral or negative drainage, which will route runoff from precipitation to the foundation.  Excessive moisture content in soil supporting the foundation can cause foundation and other structural damage from undermining, heaving, or settling, depending on soil composition, moisture content, and other conditions. The ground around the property should slope away from all sides, ideally 6 inches for the first 10 feet from the house foundation perimeter. Downspouts, surface gutters, and drains should also be directing water away from the foundation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary according to current standards.

The tree limbs that are in contact with the roof or hanging near the roof should be trimmed. Evaluating trees lies beyond the scope of the general property inspection.

Recommend a qualified contractor to evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The foundation had vertical cracks in areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary before your inspection objection deadline.

The door between the garage and the living space failed to close by itself. Modern safety requirements require that the door between the home interior and the garage be self-closing for safety reasons related to fire hazards and toxic fumes. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Indications of movement from the heaving/settling of the concrete floor were present in the garage. Significant movement may be compromise the structural integrity of the foundation or structure of the garage which only a qualified structural engineer could comment on after further analysis.

Recommend a qualified structural engineer to inspect further and provide a professional opinion related to this observation.

Axium recommends our premier partner – Level Engineering. They can be contacted at 720-400-8148 or online at www.axiuminspections.com/structural-engineer.

The photo-electric reverse sensors are installed too high from the garage floor surface.

The vertical distance between the photo-eye beam and the floor should be no more than 6 inches.

The walls showed signs of minor damage and wear.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The floors showed signs of minor damage and wear, particularly in high-traffic areas.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The door had missing or damaged floor guides.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

At the time of the inspection, the property did not have emergency escape and rescue openings that met generally-accepted current standards. Egress opening requirements:

For safety reasons, all sleeping rooms and basements greater than 200 square feet and new properties should meet the generally-accepted current standards for emergency escape and rescue openings, which include the following requirements:

1. Sill height shall not exceed 44 inches above the floor.

2. Minimum net clear opening shall be 5.7 square feet; exception – grade level windows

may have a minimum clear opening of 5 square feet.

3. Minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches.

4. Minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches.

At the interior stairs, the handrail was missing.  A fall or injury could occur if not corrected. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The visible areas of the firebox and chimney flue were dirty at the time of the inspection. Most of the chimney flue was inaccessible and was not inspected. Dirty flues are potential fire hazards and should be cleaned by a professional. Recommend having the chimney evaluated by a C.S.I. (Chimney Safety Institute) -qualified chimney sweep.

The tile backsplash had missing or damaged grout.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The countertop had loose or damaged tiles.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection was provided for kitchen electrical outlets. Although GFCI protection of kitchen circuits may not have been required at the time in which this property was built, as general knowledge of safe building practices has improved with the passage of time building standards have changed to reflect current understanding. The inspector recommends updating the existing kitchen electrical circuits to provide GFCI protection. This can be achieved by:

1. Replacing the current standard outlets with GFCI outlets.

2.  Replacing the first circuit outlet located closest to the main electrical service panel with the GFCI outlet

3.  Replacing the breaker currently protecting the electrical circuit that contains these outlets with the GFCI breaker.

A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The vent hood light was not working at the time of inspection.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An outlet did not provide Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection. Although GFCI protection of circuits may not have been required at the time in which this home was built, safe building practices have improved with the passage of time and building standards have changed to reflect current understanding. The inspector recommends updating the existing electrical circuits to include GFCI protection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The sink drain line was clogged or drains slowly. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The toilet was loose on the floor. This condition typically is caused by loose bolts or nuts and/or missing floor seals. The loose toilet can result in leaks, water damage, and mold, as well as damage to the toilet, water supply lines, bolts, and drainage pipes. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Tiles on the wall in the bath/shower area had missing or damaged grout.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An electrical outlet was wired to a light fixture and is not separate.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Flexible drain lines can clog, leak, or fail. Flex lines design includes multiple folds in which moisture may become trapped and mold may grow.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The toilet was loose on the floor. This condition typically is caused by loose bolts or nuts and/or missing floor seals. A loose toilet can result in leaks, water damage, and mold, as well as damage to the toilet, water supply lines, bolts, and drainage pipes. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The tub/shower area had deteriorated or missing sealant (caulking or grout) at the corners and/or floor. Sealant is needed at wall corners inside the shower, corners from tub to wall, and along the floor perimeter.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The circuit labels were missing, partial, or illegible at the electrical distribution panel. The circuit labels provide information describing the locations each individual circuit breaker provides power to.

Recommend a qualified contractor to verify the breakers and accuracy of any existing labeling as necessary.

An opening in the panel was missing a filler plate. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair and replace as necessary.

The main electrical distribution panel did not have a main electrical service shut-off breaker. More than 6 hand movements were required to shut off power to all breakers in the main electrical panel. Although homes are only required to comply with codes that were in effect at the time they were originally constructed, this condition would not meet modern safety requirements. The inspector recommends that the main disconnect be installed by a qualified electrical contractor.

Solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring was present. This is an electrical hazard. A qualified contractor should evaluate the electrical system and repair or replace it as necessary.

The aluminum wire appears to be installed on branch electrical circuits in the subject premises. This single-strand, branch circuit aluminum wires were used widely in houses during the mid-1960s and 1970s. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, problems due to expansion can cause overheating at connections between the wire and devices (switches and outlets) or at splices, which has resulted in fires. For further information on aluminum, wiring contacts the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission via the Internet at http://www.cpsc.gov.

For more details, visit InterNACHI’s Free Inspection Library.

Exposed electrical wires were present in the panel at the time of inspection. All terminated wires in the panel cabinet should be capped with an approved wire nut. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The water heater was at or beyond its warranty and/or expected life expectancy.

The water heater age was determined by the photo included in this report. According to the U.S. Department of energy, these major appliances are intended to run for between 8 and 12 years. Be advised that every water heater will age differently relative to the following life span factors: water quality, mineral buildup, frequency of flushing, the volume of water utilized, size of the tank, brand, and quality of water heater. Although it was operating at the time of the inspection, the inspector can not determine the remaining life of the water heater.

The piping to the water heater is missing flex tubing to prevent the piping from breaking in case the concrete floor heaves or settles.

Due to the year of manufacture, the heating system is assumed to be near the end of its expected service life. Regular maintenance and monitoring of its condition are recommended. Budgeting for repairs and future replacement is recommended. A qualified contractor should evaluate to clean, service/repair/replace as necessary, and certify the unit if possible.  InterNACHI’s Standard Estimate Life Expectancy Chart for Homes

The secondary drain line was capped or not routed to a drain. If the primary drain line becomes blocked, this condition could cause condensation to not drain properly and possibly damage the unit. The inspector recommends installing a secondary drain or installing an overflow protection device. A qualified contractor should evaluate and then repair or replace as advised.

The HVAC system air filter was dirty. Clogged filters can restrict airflow and increase internal temperatures. A clean air filter will help increase the efficiency and prolong the life expectancy of the system. Due to the damage that can be caused by dirty or clogged coils, recommend replacing the filter, as well as cleaning, servicing, and evaluating the HVAC system by a qualified HVAC professional and repair or replace as necessary.

The heating system did not respond to the demand for heat or did not function properly at the time of the inspection. No shut-off switches were activated aside from the safety shut-off switch that is designed to kill power when the blower cabinet cover is removed. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The air-conditioner refrigerant suction line (large, insulated) has damaged or missing insulation in areas. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair/replace as necessary.

The exterior compressor unit was not level. Over time, this may result in noisy fan operation, damage to the fan bearings, and a shortened fan lifespan, or it may result in movement of the compressor housing which can cause leaks in refrigerant lines resulting in expensive service. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

Due to the current conditions at the time of inspection, the air conditioner is recommended to be cleaned, evaluated, and serviced by a qualified contractor. Consult with your real estate agent for your available options prior to closing.

The circuit breaker was rated higher than the capacity listed on the compressor’s manufacture label. This condition could damage the unit or possibly start an electrical fire. Recommend having a qualified contractor repair or replace as necessary.

The concrete floor in the basement was moderately cracked indicating settlement, heaving, or structural problems. Recommend a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

Axium recommends our premier partner – Level Engineering. They can be contacted at 720-706-8540 or online at www.axiuminspections.com/structural-engineer.

The visible areas of the basement showed signs of possible previous moisture intrusion and/or deterioration. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Evidence of a possible mold-like substance was observed.  We did not inspect, test, or determine if this growth is or is not a health hazard. The underlying cause is moisture. It is recommended to consult a mold inspector or mold remediation specialist to determine if further action is needed. Further analysis by a mold remediation specialist is recommended. Axium recommends our premier partner – Mold Removal Express. They can be contacted at 720-464-1555 or online at www.axiuminspections.com/mold-removal-express.

Water damage was visible in the crawlspace floor structure around plumbing lines. There may be a past or current leak in the nearby drain or supply lines that could further stain or rot wood if not corrected.

There is no insulation on the basement exterior walls or floor system. Heat loss can occur more on this property than on one that is properly insulated. A qualified contractor should evaluate and install as necessary.