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See What Was Found

Often selling or buying a home is an anxious time, when both buyers and sellers are worried about what an inspector will find during the home inspections. In what condition is the roof covering, are there plumbing or electrical concerns, unseen problems in the attic or crawlspace, could there be wood destroying insects in the home, or high radon levels? Only thorough inspections performed by a qualified professional can answer those questions and more.

Please click on the images below to see a larger view.

As seen from in the crawlspace, there is severe deterioration to the box sill, floor joists, and floor decking. This was due to moisture from poor grading and the downspouts not being directed away from the foundation. A hole in the rolled roofing has lead to water entry that has caused the roof decking to rot and the roofing material to sag and hold water. Notice how the roof covering is pulling away from the outside edge leaving holes and gaps that will allow further water entry. The support column under the end of this main beam is sunken and leaning causing a gap between the top of the beam and the floor joists it should be supporting. Installation of a solid footer under the column could have prevented this from occurring. This is drastic failure of the block foundation wall. The block is cracked and broken taking away the stability of the wall. Notice the upward bow of the sill plate.
Poor grading around the perimeter of the home has allowed water to set against the foundation wall resulting in severe rot to the sill plate, box sill, and floor joist. The sill plate has collapsed under the weight of the floor joist, and the joist is collapsing under its own weight. A small leak in a drain pipe has caused rusting on the crawlspace heat duct. Holes like this will allow conditioned air to escape into the crawlspace greatly reducing the energy efficiency in the home. Column has sunken eliminating the needed structural support to the floor framing. Missing flashing and a gap between the shingles and chimney is allowing water entry and causing softness to the roof decking and trusses.
Chimney is leaning dangerously over this home. An example of a bathroom exhaust fan not being vented to the exterior. Drain pipe off kitchen disposal has not been correctly installed and will not allow water to drain properly. A 200 amp breaker has been improperly installed in an electrical distribution box rated for 100 amps with 100 amp incoming service. Because of the modifications, the entire box may need to be replaced in order to correct the problem.
Furnace flue has been run horizontally preventing a good draft that helps the products of combustion exit the home. Because of this poor draft, excess moisture has set in the flue causing rust holes. This will allow potentially dangerous flue gasses to enter the home. This bathroom ceiling was painted within the past month, yet the black discoloration continues to bleed through. Lack of ventilation in the bathroom has lead to a serious moisture problem that could be mold related. A problem like this would require further testing by a licensed mold inspection company to determine the extent of the problem. Drain pipe off kitchen sink is incorrectly installed. Bathroom exhaust fan has not been vented to the exterior leading to discoloration to the bottom side of the roof decking. Bath fans should always be vented to the exterior to prevent moisture related problems such as mold from developing. These are exposed live electrical wires wrapped around the metal natural gas pipe in the basement. This poses several major hazards. Picture is showing two concerns. The most obvious is the unstable support column in the foreground that is composed of wood blocks that are stacked crooked and infested with powder post beetles. Looking past the column, the ABS drain pipe in the background has negative slope, meaning that the water will not properly drain out of the pipe.
A leak in the PVC drain pipe has been repaired using duct tape. This is not considered an adequate repair and is in need of being corrected. Another view of the unstable support column. In this view you can see that the wood blocks are balanced on several large rocks A leaning support column under a manufactured home. Several of the wood framed windows in this home have absorbed water and started coming apart. Two roof trusses have been cut in the attic taking away the structural integrity of the roofing system. Trusses are specifically designed and built to exact specifications for each home and should not be altered. Exposed live wires outside an attic junction box present an electrical hazard.
Galvanized metal drain pipes in the basement have rusted from the inside out resulting is numerous leaks. Roof shingles are severely deteriorated and will need to be removed prior to new shingles being installed. Missing wire nut inside this baseboard heater leaves the live electrical wire exposed. This could have come in contact with the metal housing creating a shock hazard. Black discoloration on the bottom side of the roof decking is an indication of poor attic ventilation that has resulted in what could be a mold problem. A pillow has been stuffed up into the chimney. Unless a fireplace and chimney are in exceptionally good condition, it is a good idea to have a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect the chimney prior to use. Crawlspace box sill is soft and discolored. Notice the severe rot on the right floor joist. This is most likely due to poor grading around the exterior of the home.
Chimney damper has collapsed preventing flue gas from being vented out of the home. Furnace flue has come apart in the house allowing flue gas that could contain carbon monoxide to enter the home. This is a potentially deadly concern that needed to be repaired immediately for the safety of the occupants. Multiple concerns in this picture include the use of a hydraulic jack as a permanent support, the numerous electrical cables hanging down, a hole has been dug under the foundation, and the left end of floor joists are not supported. The crack in this poured concrete foundation wall is smaller at the bottom and gets wider at the top indicating significant movement in the foundation. Having a structural engineer further evaluate to determine extent of damage and need for repairs would be advised. A notch over half way through the main support beam in the crawlspace has significantly weakened the flooring structure. Several of the floor joists in the crawlspace have dry rotted and are no longer providing adequate support to the floor decking.
Wood screws – with sharp tips and edges – were used to hold the front electrical panel in place. One of these screws cut into the wire insulation creating a short. This could have easily lead to a fire in the home. This home has two bathrooms upstairs, one on each side of the home. Neither bathroom exhaust fan has been extended to the exterior allowing moisture to build up between the rafters causing discoloration and rot. This is a good example of why bathroom fans must be vented to the outside. Another example of a bathroom exhaust fan not being vented to the exterior.