This sample report is from an actual inspection. The report format is frequently evolving and improving to ensure it easy to read, understandable and provides the client with the information the client needs to support their decision and planning needs. This sample report is intended to give the reader a general idea of what to expect. All categories of observations do not necessarily apply to all reports; it depends on the findings.
Thank you for considering Walker Home Inspection
Steven Walker, (613) 813-9713
steven@walkerhomeinspection.ca
Getting the Information to You
The inspection report is delivered to you in an email and is accessed as a web link. The web link provides the report as a web page with easy to navigate buttons and many references to information available on the internet. Pictures and videos are displayed and can be zoomed in and/or downloaded to your computer or mobile device with ease. The entire report, just the summary and/or certain chapters or sections of your choice can be converted to a pdf on your computer or mobile device.
How to Read This Report
This report is designed to deliver important and technical information in a way that is easy for anyone to access and understand. If you are in a hurry, you can take a quick look at the "Summary Page” and quickly get information which differentiates findings between critical / repairs / improvements / maintenance items to assist you with important decision making, prioritization and project management. However, I strongly recommend that you take the time to read the full Report, which includes digital photographs, captions, diagrams, descriptions, videos and hot links to additional information.
The best way to get the layers of information that are presented in this report is to read your report online, which will allow you to expand your learning about your house. You will notice some words or series of words highlighted in blue and underlined – clicking on these will provide you with a link to additional information.
This report can also be converted to PDF and printed or saved. You can convert the entire report, the Summary section only, or selective areas of concern with or without comments or photos (useful for negotiations, and insurance contracts etc)
Chapters and Sections
This report is divided into chapters that parcel the home into logical inspection components. Each chapter is broken into sections that relate to a specific system or component of the home. You can navigate between chapters with the click of a button on the left side margin.
Most sections will contain some descriptive information done in black font. Observation narrative, done in colored boxes, will be included if a system or component is found to be deficient in some way or if I wish to provide helpful additional information about the system or the scope of our inspection. If a system or component of the home was deemed to be in satisfactory or serviceable condition, there may be no narrative observation comments in that section and it may simply say “tested,” or “inspected.”
Observation Labels
All narrative observations are colored, numbered and labeled to help you find, refer to, and understand the severity of the observation. Observation colors and labels used in this report are:
- Insurance Brief:This is a summary listing of common home insurance identified features. These notes found throughout the report that are grouped together here for ease of reporting commonly requested identification of material etc. used in the home to the insurance company.
- Red Flag:Significant concerns that may require additional expertise to determine the extent of the concern and the appropriate course of action. For example structural issues requiring engineering consultation.
- Hazard:Observations that indicate a potential or current hazard to human safety if not corrected
- Repair:Items that are not functioning at all or not functioning as designed and needs to be replaced, repaired or in some way remediated. These items usually should be corrected by a qualified professional.
- Minor Repairs:Items that require repair or replacement but may be simple and/or relatively inexpensive and/or quick to repair. These items may not require a professional depending on your comfort level with making these repairs. For example a broken light switch cover, a missing electrical box cover, an ineffective door latch, a missing or inoperative GFCI outlet
- Monitor:Items that may appear to be functioning as designed at the time of the inspection but may be suspect and should be monitored on regular basis (weekly/monthly or annually), especially during certain events to asses if correction may be needed in the future.
- Disclosure:Recommendations to request disclosure with another parties. Examples include, information about a possible buried oil tank, an unused well or hot water tank rental agreement.
- Maintenance:These are repair items that should be considered "routine home ownership items," such as servicing the furnace, cleaning the gutters, changing the air filters in the furnace or re-staining the deck.
- Future Expense:A repair that may be deferred for some time but should be on the radar for repair or replacement in the near future.
- Improve:Items that are functioning as designed but which could or should be brought up to current standards to improve safety, efficiency, or reliability. For example, a balcony guardrail that was built in 1890 does not meet today's height standard, but may be functioning as per standards during the time of construction.
- Efficiency:Denotes observations that are needed to make the home more energy efficient as well as to bring the home up to modern insulation standards. This category typically includes windows and insulation. Other items, such as lighting and appliances, are not inspected for their energy status.
- Cosmetic Repairs:Items that are usually cosmetically damaged or appear worn and so are deemed aesthetically optional for correction. Examples would be a floor that needs to be refinished, a carpet stain, poor drywall finish.
- Note:Refers to information and/or comments elaborating on descriptions of systems in the home or limitations to the home inspection.
- Description:Detailed description of various aspects of the property noted during the inspection.
Summary Page
The Summary Page is designed as a bulleted overview of all the observations noted during inspection. This helpful overview is not a substitution for reading the entire inspection report. The entire report must be read to get a complete understanding of this inspection report as the Summary Page does not include photographs or photo captions.
Final Note
Be sure to click on the photo when you want a closer look. Doing so will expand the photos to full screen. In fact, click on the photo a second time and get really up close!
Summary
Insurance Brief
- O-3 ORIENTATION:
Approximate Year of Construction: 1990-1999
- S1-1 STRUCTURE:
Foundation Type: Basement
- S1-2 STRUCTURE:
Foundation Material: Masonry Block
- R-1 ROOF:
Roofing Material: Shingles
- R-2 ROOF:
Approximate Age of Roof Covering: 2-4 years
- A-2 ATTIC:
Attic Insulation Material: Fiberglass
- E-3 ELECTRICAL:
Main Panel Amperage: 200 Amp
- E-4 ELECTRICAL:
Main Electrical Panel Type: Breakers
- E-5 ELECTRICAL:
Age of Main Electrical Panel: Less than 10 years
- P-2 PLUMBING:
Water Distribution Plumbing: Copper
- P-3 PLUMBING:
Water Distribution Plumbing: PEX
Red Flags
- S1-5 STRUCTURE:
The basement is under renovation. It appears that a basement door well has been added and the basement stairs have been relocated. These changes may have affected the building structure. I did inquire with the Town of Townville for a building permit and none was found (other than a cancelled pool permit) so it is reasonable to expect that the basement renovation and addition of the basement well door was constructed without a permit and may not meet code requirements. The framing of the basement door may not be adequate. There appears to be no supporting studs or header. I recommend applying for a permit to ensure that the work is completed correctly and safely and specifically to have an experienced framer review and correct the door structural framing.
Hazardous
- LS-3 LIVING SPACE:
A guardrail is needed for the basement stairs to eliminate a safety hazard, especially for children. Railings with openings no larger than 4 inches are recommended for all stairs with three or more stairs (risers). Handrails that have returns into the walls are needed for the length of the stairs. Hire a carpenter to repair and bring guardrail and handrail up to modern standards.
Repairs
- B1-14 BUILDING:
I recommend removal & rebuild of the current deck and structure.
- The west deck guardrail is somewhat loose and deflecting and may not be adequately stiff to prevent a falling adult. Guardrails should be able to withstand a minimum lateral force of 200lb within 2 inches of the top rail.
- The deck is no longer level likely due to settlement. I was un able to inspect the structure as it was not visible.
- The wood decking needs to be re-stained to preserve the wood and prevent the wood from becoming slippery. Pressure washing is not recommend as this can break down the wood fibers and lead to moisture absorption in the wood, and a premature lifespan. To clean the deck, use a wood deck cleaner product and broom.
- S1-6 STRUCTURE:
The foam wall insulation in the basement is exposed. Rigid foam should be covered with 1/2" drywall to improve time to flee in the event of a fire. I recommend installing 1/2" drywall wherever rigid foam is visible within the envelope of the living quarters. This basement is in mid-renovation. When completing I recommend adding rockwool insulation to the stud cavities and a plastic vapour barrier.
- P-10 PLUMBING:
The waste plumbing below the powder room sink is leaking and requires immediate repair. Hire a licensed plumber to further evaluate and repair.
Minor Repairs
- B1-7 BUILDING:
One downspout extension is crushed and may backup during winter thaw/freeze cycles. I recommend replacing it.
- B1-13 BUILDING:
Signs of structural settlement were noted in the entry porch. This is likely related to or caused by the same issue as the garage settlement. I recommend sealing the crack and monitoring for any further movement.
- E-1 ELECTRICAL:
The electric meter display is not functioning correctly. This may be an indicator of errors or problems with the meter. I recommend notifying the power company of this and request that a new meter is installed to ensure accurate billing.
- E-6 ELECTRICAL:
An extension cord is being used to supply power to the overhead garage door openers. This is non-standard and a safety hazard. Electricians will often run a receptacle down to the opener with an armored cable.
- K1-1 KITCHEN:
The faucet to the kitchen sink is loose and should be tightened or repaired.
- L1-1 LAUNDRY:
The faucet to the laundry sink is loose and should be tightened or repaired.
- L1-3 LAUNDRY:
Failing or missing grout in the laundry is noted. Repair this to prevent tiles from becoming loose and physically damaged. Please note that this can be an indication of poor tile preparation below the tile.
- B-4 BATHROOMS:
The ensuite and 2nd Floor bath shower diverter, which diverts water from the tub fill spigot to the shower head, is leaky and requires repair to prevent wasting water and to improve flow to the shower head.
- B-5 BATHROOMS:
Seal up the bathtub fill spigot between the shower wall in the Ensuite bathroom and the spigot to prevent water leakage.
- B-8 BATHROOMS:
The Ensuite bathroom vent cover is broken on the exterior wall. I recommend replacing it to prevent unwanted air flow and rodent/bird entry.
- LS-1 LIVING SPACE:
Failing or missing grout in the hallway is noted. Repair this to prevent tiles from becoming loose and physically damaged. Please note that this can be an indication of poor tile preparation below the tile.
- LS-6 LIVING SPACE:
The interior door in the Powder room is not latching correctly and requires adjustment so the door latches closed.
- G-3 GROUNDS:
The gates for the fencing are sagging and require adjustment / repair for proper operation.
Monitor
- B1-5 BUILDING:
Stair step cracking and other mortar related cracking was noted in the brick siding system. This is typically an indication of settlement in either the house or the brick cladding system or both. Given the age of the home and the size of the cracks, settlement has likely stopped allowing for the cracks to be sealed with a quality epoxy however I recommend additional inspection of the brick siding system by a qualified mason or general contractor if continued monitoring reveals further changes in crack width or length.
- B1-6 BUILDING:
Some of the downspouts drain into a sub surface pipe. I was unable to locate the termination of this pipe. The pipes may simply drain into a subsurface 'french drain'. Monitor these particularly during a heavy rain to ensure they are not backing up or otherwise causing unwanted flooding.
- GA-3 GARAGE (Attached):
The garage concrete slab has a larger than normal crack. To date the slab is still functional, but not ideal and the crack appears to be quite old. It is difficult to gauge the urgency for repair here as one could live with this unless it worsens however it is unlikely to be a continued structural problem given the age of the crack. I recommend sealing the crack with an appropriate caulking and monitoring for any further change.
- S1-3 STRUCTURE:
Minor cracks were noted in the masonry block foundation. It is not possible to definitively determine the cause of these cracks during a visual inspection. Monitor these cracks over time and look for any changes. Be sure to keep roof drainage discharging at least 5-6 feet from the foundation.