Nashville Home Inspections

Brentwood Home Inspections

Middle Tennessee Home Inspections

 

This page of the site is consumer oriented towards new construction inspections. More often than not, consumers purchase new construction properties without getting inspections. Many people buy into the "Nothing to worry about - the property has been inspected by codes officials" touted by the on-site Realtor or Contractor. Some properties that I have added to this section also reflect issues found with newer properties that had not under gone an inspection that will now be the current owners financial burden to address.

With so much going on in new construction, there are just too many issues that can get overlooked by contractors, codes inspectors and the site superintendent. A new construction property inspection is just "a fresh set of eyes" looking at your property for quality control purposes. The items generally found in the inspection report are items that can be added to your final "punch-out" list during your final walk-through.

 Some of the information will be pertinent to this site only, while some information will link to other sites. I hope that you find this information helpful. Feel free to make comments. I will add these as posts to this site. To make a comment click here.

 

Blog Roll - New Construction

New Construction 012408

4 Year Old Property 012408 - This property had not been inspected as a new construction property

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wire loose on right lug of panel box

Damaged LB and pipe penetrations not properly sealed

Roof covering pulling loose at rear of property

Improper shims used under main girder

Shims under main girder starting to crush

Dryer vent is improperly secured to the side of the property Plastic is no longer acceptable for dryer venting purposes

Weather stripping and seals are missing from exterior doors

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New Construction 012408

This is a summary of the items found in the new construction property inspected on this date.

Safety Concern Summary

In the opinion of the building analyst, the item or component may pose a real or potential health or safety risk to the buyer. For safety reasons, repairs or review by licensed contractors is recommended no matter what the cost.

Electric Panels

1. Main Property Electric Panels Panel and Wiring The entrance wire at the top of the panel in the laundry room is loose. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed electrician.

Antioxidant paste - sub in laundry room - Antioxidant paste did not appear to have been applied to the aluminum branch service leads. It is recommended that this area be reviewed/repaired by a licensed electrician.

Kitchen

2. Main Floor Kitchen Outlets Missing cover plate - A cover plate was missing from the duplex outlets in this room. For safety reasons, it is recommended that all outlets be covered.

Living Spaces

3. Main Property Living Spaces Electrical Missing cover plates - Cover plates are missing from the outlets throughout the property. For safety reasons, it is recommended that all cover plates be installed as per acceptable trade practices.

Full Bath

4. Main Property Full Bath Electrical Most of the outlets and switches are missing cover plates. Recommend installing cover plates on all missing outlets.

Review/Repair Summary

Exterior Surfaces

1. Main Property Exterior Surfaces: Exterior Surfaces Seal holes in brick siding at electrical chases on the right side of the property.

2. Main Property Exterior Surfaces Additional Notes - Cracks: As a courtesy to the new home owner, recommend having the contractor power wash the dirt and construction debris off the brick and vinyl siding of the property. Generally, this is done at the completion of the project.

Windows / Screens / Storms

3. Main Property Windows Screens Screens not present - Screens are not present on the windows on the house. Recommend consulting with the builder to see if window screens are available.

Roof Covering / Ventilation / Flashing

4. Main Property Roof Roof Covering Fastener back out - There are areas where the shingles demonstrate "fastener back out" or "nail popping". Recommend having the areas of fastener back out further reviewed/repaired by a licensed roofing contractor.

Electrical

5. Electrical Entrance Replace damaged LB at entrance to property.

Water Heating Equipment

6. Main Property Water Heating Equipment Water Temperature - Unit #1: 114 Low water temperature - The temperature of the water was low. Consider turning the thermostat up to around 120 degrees in order to maintain an adequate supply of hot water.

Kitchen

7. Main Floor Kitchen Counters and Cabinets The cabinets appear to be held up with drywall screws. There are several articles in trade publications that indicate that these screws do not have adequate strength to hold the heavy weights that fully loaded cabinets may contain. Recommend that a licensed cabinet contractor review these areas in question and make necessary corrections.

Drawer on right side of dishwasher binds when being closed.

8. Main Floor Kitchen Lighting Secure loose light fixture above dishwasher.

Laundry Area

9. Main Floor Laundry Area Outlets Missing cover plates - Cover plates are missing from the outlets in this location. For safety reasons, it is recommended that all cover plates be installed as per acceptable trade practices.

10. Main Floor Laundry Area Doors No doors installed at laundry room. Recommend checking with the contractor to see if this is part of the finished package.

Living Spaces

11. Main Property Living Spaces Ceilings Repair loose tape joint in vaulted ceiling in living room.

12. Main Property Living Spaces Floors Finish installing carpeting in bedrooms.

Full Bath

13. Main Property Full Bath Ventilation Finish installing vent fan in hall bathroom as per acceptable trade practices.

Exterior Entrances

14. Main Property Exterior Entrances Door Missing weather strip - both doors - The weather strip at this door is missing. For energy conservation purposes, recommend repairing as necessary. Have the contractor install the weather strip at the threshold at the rear entrance door.

Structure

15. Main Property Structure Support Piers Wood shims - The gaps between the piers and the floor joists are shimmed with wood. Acceptable trade practices require steel shims to be used in these applications. Recommend further review by a licensed contractor.

Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement

16. Main Property Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement Access Finish painting metal access cover for crawlspace entrance.

17. Main Property Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement Insulation Fallen insulation - There are areas in the crawlspace where the insulation has fallen. Recommend having these areas further reviewed/repaired by a licensed contractor.

18. Main Property Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement Dryer Venting Properly secure and seal the dryer vent hood to property in accordance to acceptable trade practices.

19. Main Property Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement Additional Notes Recommend having the contractor remove all wood and construction debris from the crawlspace area in accordance with acceptable trade practices.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Final Report Generated at 04:29 January 25, 2008

 

 

 

The two outlets closest to the sink are not GFCI protected. This violates NEC guidelines

Fungal activity has been observed growing on the framing members in the attic

Squash blocks are missing at some of the floor joists

The top plate on the hand rail is too wide for the average person to grasp. Not acceptable.

The drip tube for the water heater does not extend to within 6" of the floor

This framing member in the attic is pulling loose from the knee wall

Several of the doors in the property were improperly installed. Even when shut, you could easily push the door open.

There was a distinct slope in the floor in at this doorway entrance. The wood floor was split.

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4 Year Old Property 012408

This is a summary of the items found in this property that had not been inspected at the time the home owners purchased the property. They are now faced with the financial burden of repairing what the builder failed to install properly.

Safety Concern Summary

Steps and Stoops

1. Main Property Steps and Stoops Handrails The top plate on the hand rails is too wide to be safely grasped. At the time the property was constructed, this was an acceptable practice. For your own personal safety, recommend the installation of a smaller bar. This will be your financial responsibility.

Water Heating Equipment

2. Main Property Water Heating Equipment Relief Valve and Extension Improper length - The drain tube does not extend to within six inches of the floor. For safety reasons, recommend having a licensed plumber extend the drain tube as per acceptable trade practices.

3. Main Property Water Heating Equipment Water Temperature - Unit #1: 133 Water too hot - The temperature of the water provided by the water heater is too hot. To prevent scalding of young children and the elderly, it is recommended setting water temperature control no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Laundry Area

4. Main Floor Laundry Area Outlets The 2 outlets by the laundry sink are not GFCI protected. For safety reasons, it is recommended that a licensed electrician further review and make necessary repairs.

5. Main Floor Laundry Area Dryer Venting The plastic discharge vent for the dryer venting on exterior of property does not conform to industry standards for dryer venting. Recommend having a licensed contractor replace the vent with a metal one. The metal dryer vent pipe in the crawlspace appears to be over the maximum length of 24 feet. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed contractor.

Full Bath

6. Main Property Full Bath Electrical Isolate the light over vanity in left front bedroom from ground fault switch.

Review/Repair Summary

Vegetation

1. Main Property Vegetation Vegetation Vegetation too close - left side of front entrance - The trees and/or bushes are hitting and rubbing against the property. For proper drying and ventilation purposes, it is recommended that vegetation be kept a minimum of 12 inches from the side of the property. This will also allow for inspection of any hidden areas. In areas where access was impeded no visual inspection was performed at this time.

Gas and Water

2. Main Property Gas and Water Gas Lines Seal around the gas line penetration with silicone sealant or similar material as per acceptable trade practices.

3. Main Property Gas and Water Hose Bibs: Spigot not properly secured - garage area - The spigot(s) are not secured to the wall properly. This can damage either the spigot or the piping behind it. This is a straight forward and simple repair. Recommend securing and sealing the spigot properly to the side of the house.

Gutters / Downspouts / Leaders

4. Main Property Gutters/Downspouts Leaders Extensions recommended - Water is discharging at the base of the foundation, and as such, can allow water to migrate into the crawlspace or basement area and has the potential to lead to foundation failure. It is recommended that, at a minimum, above ground extensions be installed on all downspouts. These should extend a minimum of 10 feet away from the foundation.

Garage

5. Attached Garage Entry Doors Seal the bottom of the threshold on the exterior door with silicone sealant or other similar material to prevent water entry.

6. Attached Garage Lighting The light fixture on the left side of the garage exterior is damaged/missing. Recommend further review/repair as per acceptable trade practices.

Electrical

7. Grounding Missing plumbing ground - The plumbing ground is missing at the water heater in this location. Recommend installing the plumbing ground as per acceptable trade practices.

Missing gas line ground - The gas line ground is missing at the water heater in this location. Recommend installing the gas line ground as per acceptable trade practices.

Thermostats / Filters / Ductwork

8. Main Property Thermostats / Filters / Ductwork Ductwork Dirty ductwork - Dirt and other contamination has been observed in the ductwork. These may contain potential contaminants that could be harmful to your health. As an investment in environmental hygiene, it is recommended to have the ductwork further reviewed by a professional company.

Plumbing

9. Main Property Plumbing Plumbing System I did not observe traps for the whirlpool tub and the shower drains for the master bathroom. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed plumbing contractor.

Living Spaces

10. Main Property Living Spaces Ceilings Old water stains - kitchen - What appears to be old water stains were observed. This stain does not appear to be active. Recommend monitoring.

11. Main Property Living Spaces Walls What appears to be old water damage to the wainscoting has been observed in the dining room area of the property. There are some cracks in the wood work and the paint is chipping from the finish. It does not appear as if the wood was properly primed before painting. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed contractor.

12. Main Property Living Spaces Floors There is a downward slope in the hardwood flooring at the entrance to the master bedroom. This downward slope is causing the hardwood flooring to gap in this area. Recommend further review/repair of this area by a licensed contractor.

13. Main Property Living Spaces Doors The Master bedroom door fits poorly within the frame. The door plunger does not seat properly in the striker plate allowing the door to be pushed open without even turning the door knob. It does not appear as if the door was ever hung properly. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed contractor.

Half Bath

14. Main Property Half Bath Basin Seal gap behind wash basin where it adjoins to the wall with a good grade of bathroom caulk.

Full Bath

15. Main Property Full Bath Doors The Master bathroom door fits poorly within the frame. The door plunger does not seat properly in the striker plate allowing the door to be pushed open without even turning the door knob. It does not appear as if the door was ever hung properly. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed contractor.

16. Main Property Full Bath Lighting Inoperable lights - Jack & Jill bath - Generally, the cause of an inoperative light fixture is generally a burnt out light bulb. Bulbs are not changed during an inspection. If the problem is not simply a bad bulb, it is normally necessary to contact an electrician to resolve the difficulty.

Exterior Entrances

17. Main Property Exterior Entrances Door Wood rot appears to be forming at door frame on the right side of the front door. Recommend further review/repair by either a carpenter or licensed contractor.

The front door is weathering badly. Recommend refinishing to prevent further damage.

The weather stripping on the bottom of the front door is starting to deteriorate. Recommend further review/repair as necessary.

Attic

18. Main Property Attic Framing Water stains on framing members - Water stains were observed on the framing members in several locations throughout the attic cavity. It is recommended that a licensed company that specializes in mold remediation further review these areas.

19. Main Property Attic Additional Notes The butt end of the hip in the storage area off the front bedroom appears to be pulling loose from the knee wall supports. Recommend further review/repair by a licensed contractor.

Structure

20. Main Property Structure Joists Missing squash blocks - Master bedroom area - A squash block is a block of wood or APA Rated Rim Board that is installed adjacent to an I-joist to carry a point load that would otherwise be transmitted to the I-Joist. This may be contributing to the downward twist at the master bedroom entrance. Recommend further review/repair of the system by a licensed contractor.

Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement

21. Main Property Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement Dryer Venting The dryer venting appears to have exceeded the maximum length of 24 feet. Recommend further review and possible re-routing of the dryer vent system. Recommend that all work be done by a licensed contractor.

22. Main Property Crawlspace / Unfinished Basement Wiring Open junction boxes - Open junction boxes have been observed. Recommend that all junction boxes to be covered as per acceptable trade practices.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Final Report Generated at 04:01 January 25, 2008