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FINEGAN
INSPECTION SERVICES, INC.
76 WEST FOSTER MAINEVILLE ROAD
MAINEVILLE, OHIO 45039
513-683-0733 PHONE
513-697-0163 FAX
NEW HOME INSPECTION REPORT
6/22/06
CLIENT:
Mr.
& Mrs. X
RESIDENCE LOCATION:
8052 ______ Avenue, Cincinnati Ohio 452xx
GENERAL INFORMATION:
As in all inspections, this report is based on visual
observations of the residence. The inspection was made without
removing any existing covering surfaces or materials. If an
area of the residence is inaccessible, it will be noted in the
report. There is no warranty implied as to the value, life
expectancy, fitness for particular function, usefulness, or
merchantability, and therefore,
FINEGAN INSPECTION SERVICES, INC. assumes no
liability in those areas. All above conditions and those of the
attached Inspection Agreement apply to this inspection unless in
writing so noted by either party within 24 hours of receipt of
this report via fax or mail.
All
observations are noted as the inspector faces the front of
the house for purposes of mutual orientation.
This is
a punch list report so as to review the items in the
house that are in need of repair or to be finished by the
builder as a part of the final walk through process. The
inspection was made on 6/19/06 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:20 p.m.
The
information is made available to only and is held in
confidence. The information in this report is not prioritized
but a set of repairs and modifications necessary so as to comply
with Warren County and N.E.C. codes and Industry Standards
Manual of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati.
The information should be reviewed by the interested persons as
a basis for repairing and adjusting components of the home.
Those items that are not recognized as “workmanlike” will be so
noted.
The
term workmanlike refers to
common and acceptable methods of construction technique and/or
protocol in a particular area. This list does not take the place
of any other repair list provided by the owner or any other
person, but rather is intended as a guide to accomplish the
finish of the house as per normal workmanlike construction
techniques.
Any or
all agreements made between the owners and the builder that were
supplemental to the contract and that may affect the
construction technique are not addressed in this report.
Special Note: Any items that should be repaired by the builder
will be marked *** prior
to the comment. Other items are suggestions to the homeowner or
discussion of items relative to the construction of the home.
RECOMMENDATIONS
& OBSERVATIONS
There
were items on the interior and exterior of the home that need
adjustment or repairs to the finishes details. Most are typical
“punch out items that are found in many new homes. The following
items are so noted. The homeowner will have a list of items as
well. This report does not take the place of the homeowners
list. It is intended as a supplement to any such list:
 Roof
The
upper roof and the
lower roof were inspected
from the roof surface level and from eave line level.
1).
The inspection found no problems with the installation of the
roofing shingles. There were good quality fiberglass
composition shingles that were secured in a workmanlike fashion.
A few other items that were inspected are noted below;
*** a).
The torn shingle at the right hip ridge of the second
story eave line is recommended for replacement.
***
c). Application of a roofing cement on all
the exposed nail heads on
the roof surface is recommended. The ridge vent, box vents, boot
flashings were all recommended for the sealant application.
  
***2).
There were a few modifications to the
upper roof surface. The
following items were noted.
a). Remove any
of the stray nails that
are on the shingle surfaces at this roof surface.
3). The
gutters were noted to be in
good general condition. Due to the volume of trees in the area a
gutter guard of some type is strongly recommended. There are
many types and many manufacturers. Have these installed as soon
as possible. The trees with seed in the spring and these can
block a gutter and downspout system.
4). The rest of
the flashing systems were
noted to be installed on this home in a workmanlike fashion. The
flashings are metal sections that seal any potential gaps in the
roof systems at intersection points of the roofs and other
components.
5). There is
a chimney system located
on the top roof system. The metal chimney is noted to be
installed for the master bedroom gas fireplace system. The metal
vent that is located at the rear of the upper roof was noted
without problems.
6).
The
venting system on this roof
system was noted to be a ridge vent system and a box vent
system. Both of these are “passive” vent systems. There was also
an attic fan. It was tested and functioning properly. The
passive vents were installed without problems noted.
Exterior Walls & Exterior Trim 
7).
There were brick and vinyl siding surfaces on the
exterior wall façade of this home. The installation and siding
and brick were in good general condition with only a few punch
out modifications recommended. The following items were noted on
the exterior building envelope of this home:
a).
There were noted a very good quality of
exterior envelope component
installation. The trim was secure and properly fitted to the
wall corners, frieze boards, rake boards and the soffit areas.
The
brick has the proper volume of weep holes and there were a few
that were randomly checked. None were uncultured with mortar.
All were clear of debris and the foundation seal was observed in
all locations where the weeps were inspected.
***
b).
The overhead door trim around the garage door needs to be
modified. There was a gap between the weather seal trim and the
side jambs this location.
Seal
this gap
c). The application of a parge
coating to the surface of the exposed foundation on
the left rear of the home is suggested. There are several
cementitious paints on the market to add color and texture to
the concrete foundation wall surfaces.
***
d).
The rear transom window
needs the caulking between the steel lintel and the top of the
window frame.
The
sealing of this gap is
needed.
***
e).
The brick surface at the
rear of the home has some mud on the brick surface that
is recommended to be washed off. There were no issues with the
installation of the brick façade, the mortar nor were there any
visible chips or gaps in the brick or the mortar. The façade is
of good quality. 
 SITE
CONDITIONS
8).
The final grade is accomplished, the finish
soil grade of all
planting beds should always be kept lower than 3” from the
bottom of the brick and the vinyl surfaces in the future. All
mulch and planting beds should be kept lower than that level in
all locations so as to allow proper “fall” of the soil grade
away from the foundation and to prevent any termite or carpenter
ant access.
At this
time the soil grade at the rear of the home was close to the
brick. Keep a gap between the mulch and the brick at this rear
location.
9).
The driveway masonry surface
is in good condition, what could be observed. Use a water
sealant on the surfaces in the future is suggested. The
application of Weather X or Enviro Seal is recommended
because these are good products. The color differential should
slowly bleach out as the sun dries the surface through to the
core of the slab.
***
10). The downspouts terminate into conductor
lines. The drainage of these lines appears to terminate in the
rear of the lot. The conductor lines and the general surface
water drainage of the site is of good quality.
 GARAGE
11).
There was an attached garage on this new home. The garage was
noted to have all surfaces that are in contact with the interior
walls of the home, drywall covered. The
garage walls were noted to
be in good general condition as could be observed at the time of
the inspection.
b). The overhead
garage door has the opener installed; the down force
pressure on the openers should be adjusted so that it will
reverse on resistance. Also, have the manual locks need to be
removed from the doors.
c). Note that the
GFCI outlets are re-set in the garage for the sake of
convenience. All were tested and functioned.
d).
The garage slab was
inspected. There were no significant issues noted with the
surface at the time of the inspection.
e). The garage
steps up and into the home were noted. The rise
differential and the tread width and depth appeared to be in
conformance with the normal building code requirements.
f). There is an attic
over the garage and it was inspected. The truss
system, vent system, and all other building components that
compose this attic system are of good quality.
*** g). The
fire door that separates the garage from the interior of
the home will need the pressure
closer activated.
 INTERIOR
***
12). In the kitchen the
dishwasher was noted to be properly secured to the
counter top and the disposal
was tested and had no problems. The ovens and cook top were
functional at the time of the inspection. The
vent hood above the cook top
was noted to have proper operation. The microwave was properly
operational.
In the
future, be sure that the water supply hoses that supply the
washing machine are composed of the flex steel type. These will
have a far lower potential to burst.
Be
sure to clean the lint from the dryer vent every year to avoid
blockage or fire.
a).
The exterior door in this
mud room operates smoothly. It was suggested that a storm door
be considered at this door because it is a west facing door
which is subjected to higher winds and rain.
14).
All interior paint touch
ups, floor finishes and drywall touch ups were not yet
accomplished at the time of the inspection. The home buyers will
be responsible for the drywall and paint issues. This inspection
company does not involve itself in aesthetic issues.
*** a). Be sure to
cut the interior doors up and off the carpet by an inch so that
the carpet surface is not worn in the swing pattern of the door.
In the second story closet at the left side hallway a trimming
of the door is recommended.
*** b). The
floors
need to be cleaned and finished. There
were no problems noted with the installation of the various
components. The hardwood in the kitchen appears to be ready for
a final coat of polyurethane.
*** c). The
master tub needs the caulking of the tub lip at the intersection
point with the top surface of the deck and the cover placed on
the tub motor access.
Before
using the whirlpool tub, be sure to fill it and then run it for
20 minutes with 3 cups of bleach and a typical amount of
dishwasher detergent poured into the water in the tub. This will
clean the lines and keep them disinfected.
15).
Do buy a few Night Hawk carbon monoxide detectors and
place them in the house as per recommendations by the
manufacturer. There were no leaks or carbon monoxide
leaks at any appliance or mechanical equipment where they were
tested in the basement
16).
The cleaning of the faucet and the aerators is
needed in the house now and again in the next 6 months into the
future. This is because the screens and restrictors in the
faucets often become clogged with dirt and debris that was
inside the copper lines when they were installed. The water
pressure was at a level where there should be no low flow in
this house.
17).
The fireplaces in the family room and master bedroom were
functional at the time of the inspection. There were no gas or
monoxide leaks detected.
18).
The windows in the house were noted to be a vinyl single
hung type. The operation of every single unit was not
accomplished. A representative sample of every room was
accomplished. The windows were noted with no modifications
needed at this time. A silicone spray application to
the side jamb tracks is recommended.
19).
A penetrating grout sealant application to the grouting
in the bathrooms & on any or the entire floor tile and the wall
tile grout was strongly recommended.
***20).
In HVAC supply ducts at
the floor “boot” sections there was some construction dust noted
in the base of the ducting. Have this dust/dirt vacuumed out of
the ducts. Be sure that the cleaning crew cleans the bottoms of
the “floor boots” of the duct system.
The
supply vents and the return vents in the HVAC system could not
be completely inspected due to the finished nature of the home.
There were no areas that were observed with low or poor air flow
observed
ATTIC 
21).
The insulation in the
main attic was in good
condition. The proper R value appears to be accomplished in the
entire attic system. There were no observed problems with the
insulation system over the ceiling.
22). The venting of
the upper attic appears to be sufficient at the apex of the
attic space and at the soffit areas. The air passages at the
attic areas near the truss bearing points were clear of
insulation and blockage. The air passages had baffles installed
at the soffit area of the attic.
23).
The roof structure was
composed of standard trusses. The truss system showed no areas
where any departures from standard installation and construction
technique were observed. There were no broken or damaged framing
components observed at the time of the inspection. The truss
system is an engineered product. There were no engineering
drawings observed to arrive at this conclusion. The trusses were
only visually inspected. No load calculations were accomplished
as a part of a punch out inspection.
***
24).
There was an open electrical box on the side of the truss
that is next to the access opening. Have this box sealed or a
light fixture installed.
MECHANICAL 
***
24). The air conditioning
was not tested. This is because the exterior compressor needs to
be checked by the installation contractor. Be sure that the
installation contractor starts up the system. He must check the
refrigerant level prior to start up. Be sure that the exterior
coils on this air conditioner are kept clean and free of dirt
and debris.
25).
The furnace was noted to
be a “90 +” type. The efficiency of these furnaces is very good.
The important items to remember concerning the operation of
these units is to be sure that the condensate drains properly
into the floor drain. Because these units produce a great deal
of condensate with in operation, and because the condensate is
VERY caustic, the proper drainage of this water out of the
furnace compartment and through the drain tube and into the
floor drain is imperative.
Remember
that there are 5 things to check if the furnace/air conditioner
does not work:
1). The fuse in the
circuit board in the blower chamber.
2). The door to
open the blower chamber must be secure and snapped into place.
It has a “dead man” switch that will prevent the unit from
operation if the door is not secure.
3). There is an
ON/OFF switch next to most units. Check to see if the switch has
accidentally been turned off.
4). Check that the
breaker in the electrical panel is on. There will be one labeled
as “FURNACE” on the directory sheet that is glued to the inside
of the door that accesses the breakers.
5). Check the
thermostat to be sure that all settings are correct and the unit
is in the proper mode of operation.
26).
Cleaning of the air filter in the furnace is needed every
week for the first month or two to remove the volume of
construction dust inside the system.
27).
The electrical panel is noted to be in good condition.
There is proper wiring of the box and room for future expansion
in terms of space and available amperes.
Note that there are
breakers in this panel that are marked as AFCI. This
stands for Arch Fault Circuit
Interruption. These have a
yellow
re-set button on the
breaker. Notice that they are connected to the bedrooms in the
home. The reason for the installation of these types of breakers
on circuits that are to the bedrooms is because that is where we
are most vulnerable.
The
AFCI breaker is intended to
prevent a circuit to which it is connected from overheating if a
wire in that circuit is not secure where it connects to a switch
or an outlet or a fixture. These new breakers are required by
the National Electrical Code. If they should trip to OFF, have
an electrician called in immediately and leave the breaker in
its OFF position. When these breakers trip to off there may be
an “arching” at the connection point of the electrical wire to
the outlet, fixtures or switches that are on that specific
circuit.
BASEMENT 
28).
There is a sump pump.
The crock was not observed because it was sealed. A battery back
up is always recommended on any sump pump system. Test it
regularly.
29).
The foundation was a
cast-in-place type. The foundation showed no evidence of
problems with its construction or the materials.
30).
The concrete slab had
typical cracks in the surface. There were no areas where the
concrete slab showed evidence of problems
31).
The floor joists that
were observable were noted to be installed without problems. The
spans and dimension of the lumber used to construct the floor
system are consistent with other new construction.
32).
The sub floor was
composed of plywood. The sub floor was observed from the
underside. The condition was noted to be in good condition.
Support for the sub floor was consistent with standard
residential construction techniques. No building plans were used
to arrive at this conclusion, only past experience with new
construction methodology.
Wherever there are openings in the sub floor there should be a
fire stop rock wool installed so that there is no “chase” for
fire. Above the main electrical panel a rock wool installation
is needed at the hole that allows the branch wires of the
electrical circuits to pass through the floor.
33).
The basement stair system
was inspected and found to be functional. The treads and rise
distances were good. The stringers and the treads were
consistent with other residential construction techniques
observed by this firm.
34).
The window systems in the
basement were noted to be typical window types. There were no
cracked or damaged window panes and the sashes were square and
the units were functional.
35).
The steel I beams and posts
were inspected. There was no evidence of problems observed. The
exact location of the post placement and the beam size was not a
calculation that is accomplished as a part of a visual based
punch out inspection. The builder and the engineer that designed
this home are responsible for those areas.
Thank you for using Finegan Inspection Services, Inc.
Please call if there is anything we can assist you with in
the future.
FINEGAN INSPECTION SERVICES INC.
by Terrence P. Finegan
American
Society of Home Inspectors certification #033511
E-mail-
terry@ fineganinspectionservices.com
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