The inspection · Section 01 of 16
Everything outside the house and the lot around it: siding, windows and doors, decks and porches, roofline trim, grading, drainage and retaining walls. I test the outdoor outlets, faucets and doors too.
What I inspect
Examined means I looked at it closely, and the report notes anything I couldn’t reach. Tested means I ran it, using the home’s own controls.
What gets flagged
Comments pulled straight from my reports, with addresses removed. Repairs are flagged in red, just like in the report. Written for a buyer, not a lawyer.
The visible exterior steel lintels installed to support the masonry siding above the door & window openings on the exterior were rusting which can eventually cause damage to the masonry siding if not corrected (condition is known as "brick jacking"). Recommend repair via qualified painting contractor to limit further potential deterioration (normal maintenance).
There was cracking and substandard patching to the coping tiles on the parapet walls on the roof, also there was some cracking/spalling to the brick & mortar on the parapet walls indicative of moisture intrusion issues. Recommend further evaluation of the coping tiles and parapet walls via qualified mason contractor to determine the scope of repairs needed.
The rear, wood frame, balcony structure had significant deterioration/damage to the ledger board and joists securing the structure to the home (the structure was pulling away from the home, safety hazard). Recommend further evaluation via qualified contractor to determine scope of repairs needed for safety (likely will need to be re-built or removed).
The base of the wood posts for the deck were in direct contact with soil (wood in contact with soil will eventually decay/rot). Current generally accepted building standards are to set the posts on metal collars attached to concrete piers. Recommend further evaluation via qualified contractor for repair options to limit future potential damages.
The deck guardrails were not properly secured. Current generally accepted safe building standards require railings be able to support a 200 lbs point load. Recommend repairs via qualified contractor for safety.
The exterior Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) electrical outlet on the balcony did not respond properly to the GFCI outlet tester (did not trip, potential shock hazard). Recommend repair or replacement via qualified electrical contractor for safety.
The accessible exterior electrical outlets were functional, but the outlets did not have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection. Current generally accepted safe building standards are for all exterior outlets to be GFCI protected. Recommend replacement via qualified electrical contractor for safety.
There were some areas with deterioration/spalling to the brick siding (specifically noticed on the side of the home), also the exterior masonry siding had some general cracking in the brick mortar & stone sills. Recommend repairs via qualified mason contractor to limit further deterioration from moisture intrusion and freeze/thaw cycle.
The exterior dryer vent visible on the balcony had a grate cover installed (the grate was clogged with lint which is a potential fire hazard). Recommend removal of the grate cover and cleaning of the vent & duct via qualified contractor for safety.
There was cracking & erosion to the walkways on the exterior of the property creating potential tripping hazards. Recommend repairs (such as mud-jacking to level or grinding down the uneven areas and sealing of cracks) via qualified contractor for safety and to limit further potential damages from moisture intrusion and freeze/thaw cycle.
The rear wood deck/stair structure had areas of moderate to severe deterioration to the decking & structure from age & lack of maintenance (unsecured deck boards, balusters, and railings). Recommend repairs via qualified contractor for safety.
There was a crack on the west side exterior foundation that may allow moisture intrusion into the structure. Recommend repair (crack properly sealed) via qualified waterproofing contractor to limit potential future moisture intrusion issues and damages.
The north side guardrail on the front porch was not secured to the side of the home. Recommend repair via qualified contractor for safety.
The exterior light on the rear deck was not functional. Recommend a new bulb be installed and if still not functional, then have further evaluated via qualified electrical contractor to determine repairs needed.
The rear exterior frost-proof hose bib had an active leak. Recommend repair via qualified plumbing contractor.
Every section is in one plain-language report the same day. The full checklist → · Pricing →