Wall of Defects
Water Heater Flue This flue configuration creates a place for condensation to accumulate and restrict exhaust flow.
Wood Destroying Fungi Like the name suggests, you don''t want this growing in your house. Presence of fungi indicates elevated levels of moisture.
Floor Joist Partially Removed If you remove the middle third of a floor joist to install a furnace, you have just weakened your floor system.
TPRV The Temperature Pressure Relief Valve for the water heater is a safety device to prevent the unit from exploding in case of a malfunction. The TPRV requires a piped extension down to the floor area.
Radon Mitigation The discharge point should be a minimum of 10 feet above ground level and above the eave of the roof.
Cloudy Glass The visual obstruction from damaged seals in double pane windows can change from day to day and time of year and vary from a mild cloudiness to intense white deposits.
Raised Deck Nails Deck surface boards should be installed with screws instead of nails. Raised nails create a hazardous condition that should be corrected before somebody trips or cuts their foot.
Water Heater Stand It is usually advised to purchase a water heate stand that is rated for the size water heater that you intend to put on it. If a stand is to be made from wood, it would have to conform to typical floor framing methods.
Missing Baluster A missing baluster seems harmless. A child could squeeze through this space. If a 4" sphere can pass through, it is too big.
Propane Bottle in Fire A small propane bottle was discovered in a fireplace flue. Never would it be advised to obstruct the flue with any object. This condition creates a severe fire hazard that should be corrected immediately.
Bent Water Heater Stand Leg The leg on this water heater stand is bent and makes the stand unstable and dangerous. A typical filled water heater can weigh in excess of 400 pounds and needs adequate support. Water heater stands need to be properly installed, in good condition, and rated for the size water heater in use.
Hot Tub in the Living Room Defect or just strange? If the relative humidity created by this hot tub is not controlled, it has the potential to create an ideal environment for fungal growths, such as mold, to grow and thrive.
Chimney Build up If all you can see is a build up of creosote from the clean out door, you are long overdue to have the chimney cleaned. This condition is a severe fire risk.
Flexible Tube Connection Flexible tube connections should not be used, they are not self cleaning and are frequently found clogged. Multiple traps can result in one or both being siphoned dry and exposing you to sewer gases, there should be only one trap at each fixture.
Gas Line Dirt Leg Upside-Down The "dirt leg" for this water heater is upside-down. The dirt leg is needed to prevent debris from entering the appliance with the gas flow and damaging the appliance.
Framing Band Decay Water penetration and framing band decay from improperly installed or absent flashing at the deck connection.
Joist Hanger Screws don't have the shear strength that nails do unless they are made for structural use. Also, fasteners with visible rust or corrosion should be changed to ensure proper support.
Outside Light Power Source Aside from the risk of electrocution, there are a number of reasons this is wrong.
Gas Line Through Girder The outer member of the girder has been cut or drilled through the entire depth to install a gas line. Typical building practices do not make allowances for notching, cuts, and/or drilling in girders or beams.
Damaged Rim Joist Building components subjected to water penetration and insects can expect to see damage like this.
Ridge Beam When the ridge board is not full depth to the rafter cuts, the rafter can crack or split.
Girder Support Girders that are end bearing above windows need additional support. The sill plate this girder is bearing on is deflecting and showing signs of stress.
Leaking Shower Faucet A leaking faucet valve can result in hidden leaks and damage and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Gas Line Gas shutoffs always need to be within sight of the appliance they serve.
Cut Floor Joist Small notches and holes are okay in certain situations, but you should never cut out a whole section of a joist. Also worth noting is the galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipes tend to corrode from the inside out slowing drain flow.
Displaced Shingles Shingles are designed to lay flat to shed water. Dips seen on the roof surface typically indicate a deficiency with the sheathing or framing
Plumbing Corrosion Copper/Brass Drain Copper/brass drain lines are prone to develop pin holes and weak areas. Plumbing issues should always be addressed as soon as possible to prevent damage to other building components.
Clogged Gutters Gutters need routine cleaning to ensure proper drainage away from siding and foundation. Gutters typically need more frequent cleaning the more trees that are around the home.
Girder Decay/Joist Hanger If you can stick a screw driver into a wood member, it is decayed. Also, this is not how to install a joist hanger.
Jet Tub Faucet Not Secure Faucets that are not securely installed are going to leak or become completely detached from the water pressure. Improperly installed or improperly functioning water fixtures can result in leaks and flooding and should be repaired as soon as possible.
Horizontal Crack in Basement Wall This crack is barely noticeable, but still a concern. Horizontal cracks are the most serious cracks in foundations that are earth retaining because the walls can buckle without warning and jeopardize the structure of the home. Engineers are consulted to determine the cause and significance of the cracking and if repairs or monitoring are needed.
Electrical Panel Improper Fastener The electrical service panel cover is installed with a sheet metal screw which have sharp tips. This installation is hazardous due to the possibility that the screws could cut in the electrical service conductors and become energized. This condition presents a safety hazard that could result in serious personal injury or death. This is also a concern because if the panel cover or enclosure fastener holes have been damaged, the correct fasteners will no longer be secure to contain any potential explosion inside the panel and the UL rating could be jeopardized.
Undersized Service Entrance Conductor (SEC) The service entrance conductor on this home was half the size as it should have been for the main breaker that it served.
Breakers or fuses should always be the "weak point" in an electrical system. When the wire is underrated for the breaker or fuse that it serves, conditions for an electrical fire are present.
Bad Flashing Detail Flashing details matter. Improperly or poorly installed will result in leaks, it's just a matter of time.
Natural Gas Furnace Flame Natural gas furnaces that have a yellow flame can indicate a problem with the burner or heat exchanger. Any natural gas appliance should have a blue flame.
Golf Ball Repair Repairs should be made using the appropriate materials, golf balls don't qualify.
Sink Overflow Technically not defective, but worth noting that not all modern sinks are designed with an overflow.
Toilet Tank Cleaning Tab Warning In-tank toilet cleaning products are not recommended. Toilet tank cleaning tabs accelerate the wear of the toilet tank parts and are not advised by the toilet manufacturers and void toilet warranties.
Condensation When condensation is found dripping off building components, there is usually a ventilation issue present.
CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) Concrete masonry units are designed to transfer and carry load along the vertical axis. When blocks are installed incorrectly, the load capacity is greatly reduced and blocks have been known to crack or collapse.
Hole in Roof Decking Damaged roof decking can cause shingles to be displaced increasing the probability of leaking.
Ductless Bathroom Vent Bathroom exhaust vents are designed to exhaust outside, not to the attic.
Polybutylene Piping Through Girder Typical building practices do not make allowances for drilling, cutting, or notching in girders or beams. Also, polybutylene (PB) supply lines were used as water distribution piping in many homes built from the mid 1980''s until the mid-1990''s. The piping and associated fittings have had a failure rate and subsequent leakage sufficient to have been the subject of several nationwide class action lawsuits. Copper and brass fittings used in later years seem to have reduced the failure rate, but the piping may still fail due to problems with poor installation, improper handling, or chemical reaction with the water supply.
Arc at Receptacle Visible damage that could indicate a short or history of arcing.
Broken Torsion Spring The torsion springs aids in opening the garage door. Broken springs add additional load to garage door openers and should be replaced as soon as possible. Operating doors with broken springs can result in personal injury and damage to the door and or motor.
Mulch Above Window Sill Proper clearances between grade and or mulch should be maintained around the home. Improper clearances can result in water penetration or increased insect activity in the home.
Decayed Sheathing Sheathing decay is a common condition on homes that lack eave drip edges and with overflowing gutters.
Leaning Support Column This column is not plumb or vertical. This could indicate that the column is leaning or that the column has moved. Also note the heat damage to the vinyl most likely from a grill.
Corroded Toilet Corroded toilet tank bolts will result in leaks or flooding and should be replaced as soon as possible. Typically all toilet gaskets should be replaced every 5 to 7 years.
Repaired Truss in the Attic Trusses that are damaged or altered in any way always need to be reviewed by an engineer.
Deteriorated Chimney Crown Severe deterioration in a chimney crown as well as improperly installed/missing flashings gives water a path into the home.
PVC Cement CPVC cement on PVC pipe as well as an s trap configuration. Inappropriate adhesives can lead to leaks. S trap configurations siphon away the water seal in the trap exposing you to sewer gases.
Flame Roll Out Scorch marks on the outside of the furnace indicate an improperly functioning furnace that needs immediate attention.
Twisted Rafters Twisted rafters indicate a deficiency in the roof framing.
PVC on Electrical Conduit PVC fittings are not rated for electrical use. Also worth noting that the notches cut in the columns to support the ledger board are turned the wrong way.
Sagging Plumbing Supply Lines Unsupported plumbing supply lines are prone to leaking due to the added stress on the pipes and fittings.
Taped Waste Line Rarely is "duct tape" an appropriate repair solution. Under no circumstances would it be advisable to tape a waste line. Improperly installed or repaired waste lines will result in leaks and unsanitary conditions and should be addressed by a licensed professional.
S Trap Config Traps are designed to hold water to create a water seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the house. S trap configurations have a tendency to siphon leaving the trap dry. Just because the pieces fit, it does not mean they are correct.
Yellow Flame All natural and propane gas appliances should have a blue flame. A yellow flame indicates improper fuel/air mixture or restricted exhaust. Natural and propane gas appliances that are burning yellow should be further evaluated by a licensed professional to ensure safe and proper operation.
Roof Moss Not to be confused with algae, moss should never be seen growing on a roof. If you have moss growing on your roof, there is a good chance there is an underlying problem.
Leaking HVAC Unit in Attic Improper drainage of an HVAC unit, especially in an attic, can result in extensive property damage. Leaks that are discovered soon enough can be corrected before they cause substantial damage.
Corroded TPRV The TPRV (Temperature Pressure Release Valve) is a safety device to prevent water heaters from exploding in case of malfunction. A corroded TPRV could indicate a defect in the tank or valve. Any corroded connection on a water heater should be evaluated by a plumber to determine the extent of the concern and to ensure safe and proper operation of the water heating unit.
Horizontal Crack in Column Horizontal cracks in columns typically indicate improper loading and should be evaluated and repaired.