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

No openable access hatch was provided through which to view roof framing. A sufficient attic opening (22 inches by 30 inches) is required for attics with an area greater than 30 square feet and a vertical height in excess of 30 inches.

Recommend having the attic area inspected by a qualified inspector after access has been provided, to help ensure that safe conditions exist.

There appeared to be debris, cardboard, plastic, wood, etc. on the insulation. This configuration could lead to a possible mold environment. The inspector recommends that it be removed.

The exterior of the garage door has weatherstripping missing in one or more areas. A qualified contractor should inspect and repair as necessary and according to current standards.

No Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection was provided for 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.

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

The walkway(s) 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 causes cracks in the concrete.
• This creates trip hazards that could result in injury.

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

 Dense vegetation was present around the house in areas.  This condition limited and restricted my visual inspection.  Dense vegetation and landscaping up against or near the house foundation and exterior walls may be prone to water penetration and insect infestation. Trimming, pruning, and some landscaping are recommended by a qualified contractor

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.

Large trees near the house have branches that 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 to evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

One or more downspout extensions were not properly positioned. Extensions should be properly attached with a proper slope to guide run-off 5 feet away from the foundation structure.

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

The downspout (s) are missing the proper 6 ft. extensions. This condition may cause problems by introducing excessive amounts of moisture to the soil beneath the foundation. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary and according to current standards.

The floor surface of the garage is not sloped properly away from the structure due to settlement.

The area of floor used for parking automobiles or other vehicles must be sloped. It should slope toward the vehicle door opening. The sloped surface will help the movement of liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle doorway of the carport.

The garage door hinges, hardware, or support brackets were corroded, or damaged and should be further evaluated by a qualified contractor to repair or replace as needed.

The garage had one or more outlets without GFCI (or ground fault circuit interrupter) protection.

GFCI protection is required for all 15- and 20-amp receptacles, 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. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An outlet or switch box in the garage was missing a faceplate cover. This may be a shock hazard. Recommend a qualified contractor install the missing piece.

The door had a damaged or missing doorstop.  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.

The window did not lock properly.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

An electrical outlet was not working. 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 to evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

The ceiling fan wobbles when operated and may need to be balanced.  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.

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 oven had excess grease or was dirty at the time of inspection. Excess grease may be a fire hazard. Recommend a qualified contractor to evaluate and clean as needed.

The water feature at the refrigerator was not working at the time of the inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate, then repair or replace as advised.

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 door had a damaged or missing doorstop.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

There was a leak at the shower head connection at the time of inspection. Recommend a qualified contractor to evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection was provided for the bathroom electrical outlets. Although GFCI protection of bathroom circuits may not have been required at the time of 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 bathroom 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 countertop needs caulking with silicone along the backsplash.  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 drain pipe was actively leaking at the time of inspection.  A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

The conduit protecting the service entrance conductors is disconnected or damaged exposing the electrical conductors to damage. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

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.

The expansion tank was not properly secured. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.

Air supply ducts were not sealed. Ideally, all ducts are sealed with mastic in order to be more energy-efficient. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

Efflorescence (white powdery substance) on the wall indicates moisture is in contact with the concrete or masonry. This does not necessarily indicate that intrusion will occur. I recommend checking the gutters and the downspout drain lines for proper operation. Also, waterproofing paint could be applied to the interior side of the wall if necessary. Efflorescence is found on many properties without water intrusion occurring inside the property. But, it should alert you to the possibility that future steps may be needed. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary.

A screw-jack was over-extended beyond 3inches of exposed thread. This may weaken the structural capability of the support. Recommend a qualified contractor to evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

A crawlspace vent was obstructed or covered at the time of inspection. This may prevent proper ventilation into the crawlspace. Recommend a qualified contractor to evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

Drain pipes in the crawlspace were leaking in areas at the time of inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.