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Structural

Downspout

Downspouts that discharge against foundations overtime can lead to structural failures. Foundations should not sit in constant muddy soft soils

Roof Cover

Roof cover is a membrane type and should not have sunk in soft areas. These roofs need maintenance to stay leak free. This roof likely need full replacement and their is likely wood rot underneath.

Crawl Space

Crawl space behind the rear attached deck. The flashing between the deck and the house has failed and water is rotting the homes structural framing.

Foundation Wall

Outside facing the right side of the house. To the right of the garage exterior occupant door stairs. There is a small crack in the foundation wall, and some light staining. In my generalist opinion, this appears to be a typical settlement crack today, but I can not be sure. Cracks can lead to water penetration and hidden moisture damage. These are typically repaired/sealed and monitored. A licensed general contractor should further review and repair or replace as necessary. If any change is noted, contact a certified Structural Engineer.

Crawl Space

Noted water stains, wet soils or efflorescence (white salts from evaporated water) on areas of the crawl space foundation walls. Water is penetrating the walls from time to time. This can contribute to high moisture levels in building components, fungal growths and in some cases structural concerns over time. Evidence suggests the cause is poor ground or roof drainage conditions around the outer perimeter of the building. A licensed general contractor or foundation water proofing contractor should further investigate and repair or replace as and if necessary.

Roots in Crawl Space

Crawl space. I noted large, woody roots growing in several areas. These appear to be live. Roots introduce moisture, can attract insects, and can cause structural damage over time. A licensed general contractor or other qualified contractor should remove as necessary. Note: if roots are growing onto, against or through the structure, removal can lead to damage. Contractor should be careful not to damage the structure or any utilities.

Exterior

Dryer Vent

Dryer Vent cover missing. This issue leads to rodents and reptiles and other pests living in the crawl space.

Wood Damage exterior.

This is from the chronic overflowing of the roof gutter system. Which is a shame because it has a good underground drain. Please do not neglect your gutters. In North Caroline with trees around home gutters should be cleaned and service twice a year. It will safe you money from expensive water damage. This type of damage is usually going to much worse inside the wall cavity.

Wood Rot Roof

Just below the roof line the siding is rotted. The roof is leaking. More damage will occur without correction. During repairs it is likely repair persons will find hidden damage.

Gutters and Debri

The gutters or gutter guards have debris in places and should be inspected, cleaned, serviced and checked for leaks. The debris in gutters can also conceal rust, deterioration, moisture damage or leaks that are not visible until cleaned and serviced. Contractors should check areas behind the gutters for damage as these area are not visible during the inspection. Check, clean and service all gutters and downspouts.

Back Deck

The stair stringers have been over cut in some areas. Notching is visible from both sides. No damage was noted today but this can lead to future splitting. Monitor for change.

Exterior Door

1st floor. Laundry room. The rear exterior entrance door to the deck has a keyed interior dead bolt. This is a hazard. You should not have to search for a key to exit in case of an emergency.

Interior

Termite Damage

We see this often in neglected homes. The termites have been working here for years. There is likely damage to the structural members of the home. In North Carolina always have your home inspected by a licensed termite contractor once every year. Have them put you on their schedule so you cannot forget. Best insurance you can buy.

Ceilings damage. Water leaks. Extreme example.

Water Stains roof leaking.

This is an extreme example of a neglected roof covering multiple leaks. Roof was patched, covered with sealant and basically unprofessionally repaired over and over instead of replacement

Broken Glass

Small cracks in glass can be hard to find. Vip inspectors find broken glass that sellers did not even know about. Obviously broken glass is a safety hazard.

Dishwasher Drain Line

The dishwasher drain line under the sink does not have a drain loop. The drain line for the dishwasher should be installed so a portion of it is as high as possible under the cabinet. This is called a drain loop. A drain loop prevents water from flowing back into the dishwasher if the sink backs up or clogs.

Sink Overflow Drain

Bathroom sinks. Most sink overflow drains are covered with protective material. This should be removed prior to occupancy. Photo is just an example.

Stair Railing

All railings are loose from the wall. This is a hazard.

HVAC System

Downspout

Fireplace Exhaust

Fireplace. The gas logs have the following issues. They are safety or functional concerns. A gas log installation contractor or the gas utility company should further investigate, verify proper operation or and repair/replace or advise you as necessary. Recommend finding/reading all manufactures supplied user manuals before attempting operation of the appliance.

1. Outside. The fireplace exhaust discharges too close to the patio roof framing. This is a fire hazard.

HVAC Covered With Vegetation

Too much growth around the HVAC unit can cause damage and prevents the unit from being easily checked out by a repairman.

HVAC Air Filters

The air filters at one or more of the air return registers are in need of replacement now. Dirty air filters force the heating and cooling systems to run longer, increasing your utility bills. A qualified person should replace all the air filters. Change the filters monthly.

HVAC Electrical

Lower level. Laundry room and hallway. The HVAC electrical and refrigerant lines are exposed. This is not common. They are usually run through the wall. They are unsightly, and also prone to casual damage. Recommend boxing them in somehow. A licensed general contractor or licensed mechanical contractor should repair or replace as necessary.

Air Handler

The air handler in the Attic. has the following issues. These issue/s could lead to damage to the unit, moisture damage to surrounding materials or high humidity levels and unhealthy conditions for occupants. All should be corrected. A licensed mechanical contractor should further investigate and make any needed repairs or replacements and if the HVAC systems have not been serviced in the last 6 months the repair person should service and inspect all the central heating and cooling systems following the manufacture's recommendations.

1. The primary drain line is not insulated in visible areas. This can cause condensation to build up and sweat on the outside of the line, which can drip down to areas below, causing moisture damage.

Garage

Work Shop

Work shop area. One of the junction boxes is missing a cover plate.

Work Shop Stairs

The stairs do not have railings or pickets. This is a hazard.

Garge Doors

Both car doors. When the garage car door is fully closed the door or its weather stripping are not tight to the floor, sides, top, lower corners or outside as applicable or is damaged/missing. The weather stripping needs repair/replacement or the door could need adjustments. This issue allows easy access for pests and insects. A qualified garage door installation contractor should repair or replace and when repairs are done check all the doors operating in safety features.

Electric Eyes

Garage. The car door or doors have the following issues. All are improper functional or safety hazards. All should be corrected. A qualified garage door contractor should repair or replace as needed and check all the door or doors operations and safety features once corrections are completed.

1. The electric eyes are set too high. This is a safety hazard.

Garage Weather Stripping

Exterior. The left and right side weather stripping has several gaps.

Garage Conrete

The garage concrete slab is cracked in multiple places outside the expansion joint. The crack off the corners between the 2 garage is very typical. The cracking toward the single garage has some displacement where cracked. This may get worse over time especially when vehicles start running in and out. A licensed general contractor or other qualified contractor should further evaluate and repair or replace as needed.

Built In Kitchen Appliances

Garbage Disposal

Kitchen. At the bottom of the garbage disposal. The electrical cable to the garbage disposal is missing or has a loose cable grommet. The grommet keeps the wiring secured to the bottom of the disposal. This is an electrical safety hazard. A licensed plumbing or another qualified contractor should repair or replace.

Electric Stove

Kitchen. The electric stove has the following issues. All are non-functional or safety hazard issues. An appliance repair technician should repair or replace.

1. There is a large gap between the unit and the wall. Items can fall behind easily.

Microwave and Stove

The microwave is protruding down into the stove cooking area. Most professionals would consider the microwave oven to be to close to the stove top. This can be a hazard because you need to reach over hot food/burners to reach the back controls or pots on the rear burners. They are usually contained in the manufactures installation instructions and can differ between manufactures. The clearances for both ovens should be checked against the manufacture's specifications and corrected as necessary.

Microwave Vent

The microwave is protruding down into the stove cooking area. Most professionals would consider the microwave oven to be to close to the stove top. This can be a hazard because you need to reach over hot food/burners to reach the back controls or pots on the rear burners. I do not know the minimum clearances required. They are usually contained in the manufactures installation instructions and can differ between manufactures. The clearances for both ovens should be checked against the manufacture's specifications and corrected as necessary.

Stove

1. The stove top is not flush to the counter.

2. The range does not have an anti-tip device installed.

3. Behind the range, the electrical cover is missing and conductors are exposed. This is a hazard.

4. The stove labeling has worn off and is not visible.

Dishwasher

1. It appears the bottom spray arm that the washes the dishes is missing at the bottom of the dishwasher. Further investigation required. I tried to catch it in action, but when you open the door the water flow stop to fast. Most washers I see have a bottom rotating spray arm.

Electrical Systems

Aluminum Wiring

Safety concern. Aluminum Branch wiring. Branch wiring goes to outlets, lights and switches. This type of wiring is no longer in use due to safety concerns. It can be made safe by an electrician and generally does not need to be replaced if in good condition. The large wiring in homes is still aluminum and is not a concern. Large wiring examples include stoves, home heating and cooling and the large wires bringing the electricity to the home from the street.

Electrical Panel

Both panels. There are numerous labelled breakers that are not wired. Unused breakers should be labelled as "spare" for safety.

Jetted Tub Outlet

Master bathroom. Under the whirlpool tub. Jetted tub motors are required to be plugged into a GFCI protected receptacle. This one is not. The outlet is also missing a cover plate.

AC Breaker Box

Outside facing the right side of the house. The AC breaker box box has the following issues. All electrical issues are considered hazards until corrected. A licensed electrical contractor should repair or replace.

1. The box is loose from the wall.

2. The box is rusted. It was functional today but further rusting can lead to internal damage.

Ceiling Fan

The following ceiling fans had issues. These issues cause the fans to malfunction or are safety hazards. All should be corrected by a licensed electrical or other qualified contractor.

1. Bonus room ceiling fan wobbles some on high speed.

Electric Breaker

At the right side of the house. At the AC Junction box. The box has on open breaker slot and the breaker isn't labeled properly even though it's obvious what it controls.

Plumbing System

Small leak and corroded copper pipe.

Water leak corroded copper pipe. The green is the copper line corroding. This is common in older pipes. The issues it to look for the small green line tracking the pipe. This is evidence of a small pinhole leak. It will get worse without correction.

Main water drain exposed

The drain lines from the home should not be exposed. This subjects them to damage and possible winter time freezing and blockage.

Kitchen Sink

Two sections of the sink drains are flexible, corrugated pipe. These are not widely used by professionals. They are prone to leaks and clogs. Recommend replacement with traditional PVC or ABS.

Water Temperature

The water heater worked today, however the water was above 120 degrees. Water above this temperature can cause an accidental scalding. Recommend lowering the temperature to 120 for safety as well as lowering utility bills. A licensed plumbing contractor or other qualified person should be able to do this.

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Roof

Downspout

Downspouts that discharge against foundations overtime lead to structural failures.

Bad roof covering membrane type.

Roof cover is a membrane type and should not have sunk in soft areas. These roofs need maintenance to stay leak free. This roof likely need full replacement and their is likely wood rot underneath.

Wood Rot Roof

Just below the roof line the siding is rotted. The roof is leaking. More damage will occur without correction. During repairs it is likely repair persons will find hidden damage.

Raised Roof Shingles

Nail Pops: Several of the roof shingles are raised or loosened by raised loose roof nails. This can lead to wind tearing off the shingles. Leaks could develop at anytime.

Roof Covering

Outside facing left side above the electric meter. The Edge shingles are too short. They should overhang by approximately 3/4 to 1 in. This can lead to moisture damage of the fascias and soffits.

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