Home Inspection Blue Lake Trail Lafayette CO

Gutters were full of debris or granules in areas and need to be cleaned. The debris in gutters can clog drainage, or be a 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 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.

3 – Attic, Insulation and Ventilation

3.1.1 – Attic Access

The attic access hatch was damaged. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Minor cracking was visible on the driveway in areas. Monitoring is the minimum recommendation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The driveway surface was spalling in areas. This condition will continue to degrade if not corrected. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Tape was left by the painters around the property.

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

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

A screen door was missing at the time of inspection.

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

The exterior light fixture or light cover was damaged. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary according to current standards.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection was not provided for all the exterior electrical outlets. Although GFCI protection of exterior circuits may not have been required at the time in which this property was built, modern building and safety standards now require them. This is a reflection of the current understanding of the potential hazards. The inspector recommends updating the existing exterior electrical circuits to include GFCI protection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and implement according to current standards.

A trip hazard was present on the walkway(s) in areas.  This condition is a safety concern. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

Consideration should be given to trimming or even removing large tree(s) located close to the structure. We suggest consultation with a tree specialist. Evaluating trees lies beyond the scope of the general property inspection.

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

Large trees near the house have branches which overhang the property. Falling branches due to conditions such as wood decay, high winds or heavy snow loads may cause injury, death or damage. Significant weakening of large branches by conditions such as core decay may not be visible by persons without special training. Consider having these trees evaluated by a qualified arborist. Evaluating trees lies beyond the scope of the general property inspection.

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

There were deteriorated structural components visible at the planters.

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

Some or all deck components were constructed using improper fasteners (ie nails or screws). Specific nails or screws must be used with proper shear force and withdrawal force ratings, and are generally galvanized 2 1/2 inch.

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

Downspout extensions were dented or damaged in some areas at the time of inspection. This condition can cause a blockage and potential build up of moisture intrusion into the soil next to the foundation walls. This in turn can potentially cause hydro-static pressure against the foundation walls and create adverse results. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified contractor to repair or replace.

Baseboard trim was damaged at areas of the interior walls at the time of inspection.

Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

The flooring had seams that were wide or inconsistent possibly indication loose flooring or poor installation.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The floor had wet stains indicating moisture intrusion did or does exist.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The door surface was damaged.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An interior door rubs at the door frame when closing. This may mean the door or frame is out of square or that hinges may not be installed properly.

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

The window appeared to have a broken seal that has been compromised.  Condensation and/or cloudiness between the two panes of glass was observed.  This will have a negative impact on energy efficiency.  Also, because there is moisture between the panes with no ventilation, mold can eventually develop.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Some windows had damaged or missing screens.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Sealant was damage deteriorated around the window. Recommend a qualified contractor repair or replace as necessary.

The fan cover was missing. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The light fixture flickered possibly indicating a loose connection at the switch or fixture.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The light fixture was loose. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

One or more light bulbs were not working at the time of inspection. Recommend a qualified contractor evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

The ceiling fan did not respond to any wall switches. The fixture may be wired to be controlled by a remote but there was not remote available at the time of inspection.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Carbon monoxide detector appears to be old. Any older detector should be replaced.

The smoke detector was missing. A qualified person should replace as needed. The existing smoke detectors were tested if present, but they are only noted as to presence and operation as of date of inspection. Smoke detectors may work today but not work when you need them to work. This is why it is important for you to test them on a regular basis, monthly at least. Smoke detectors are recommended by the U.S. Product Safety Commission to be installed inside each bedroom and adjoining hallway and on each living level of the property and basement level.

Some of the smoke detectors appeared to be old and beyond their expected life. A qualified person should repair or replace as needed. The existing smoke detectors were tested if present, but they are only noted as to presence and operation as of date of inspection. Smoke detectors may work today but not work when you need them to work. This is why it is important for you to test them on a regular basis, monthly at least. Smoke detectors are recommended by the U.S. Product Safety Commission to be installed inside each bedroom and adjoining hallway and on each living level of the property and basement level.

Sealant was damage deteriorated around the window. Recommend a qualified contractor repair or replace as necessary.

The sink faucet leaked.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The food waste disposer was missing the wiring connector (clamp and bushing).  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Although outside the scope of a general home inspection, the inspector noted the refrigerator ice and/or water dispenser was not working.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

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.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection was not provided for all the garage electrical outlets. A qualified contractor should evaluate and implement according to current standards.

Although GFCI protection of garage circuits may not have been required at the time in which this property was built, GFCI protection is now required for all 15- and 20-amp receptacles in a garage, including outlets for refrigerators, sprinkler systems, garage door openers, and washing machines – some items may not be protected on purpose due to the potential for them to go unnoticed and cause damage.

The drain at the laundry sink was leaking at a connection at the time of inspection.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The counter top needs caulking with silicone along the back splash.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The main water shutoff valve was corroded.

The valve is not and was not operated during the scope of a home  inspection.

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

The electric meter base was loose at ground level. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The furnace cabinet interior at the blower chamber had moisture damage from a condensation leak. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

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 blower motor, wheel, and/or cabinet appeared to be dirty at the time of inspection. Blower fans/wheels are subjected to constant dirt, dust, and lint and can become overly dirty when not cleaned on a regular basis and even faster if the air filters are not changed regularly.

A qualified contractor should evaluate, clean, and service as necessary, and certify the unit is in good working order.

Air flow to the air-conditioner condenser coils was restricted by vegetation, dirt, or debris. The unit should be cleaned and anything restricting air flow in or around the air conditioner should be removed in order to maintain cooling system efficiency and avoid problems from overheating of the compressor.

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.

The service disconnect was loose at the unit. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The cooling system turned on but did not operate as expected by producing adequate conditioned cooled air. An ambient air test was performed to determine if the difference in temperatures of the supply and return air was between 14 degrees and 22 degrees. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair/replace as necessary.

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.

The glass at the fireplace had a cloudy appearance. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.