| Interior
Problems Basement
- Large vertical cracks
- Severely sloping floor; dampness or flooding
- Efflorescence - a crusty, whitish salt deposit
Beams & Joists
- Decaying wood near the concrete
- Large cracks or splits
Attic
- Uninsulated knee walls or rafters; loose flashing
- Insulation blocks vents and exhaust fans
Floors
- Worn flooring in high-traffic areas
- Sloping floors or excessive springiness
Walls & Ceilings
- Large or numerous cracks and water stains
- Lack of adequate insulation
Inside Windows
- Difficult to open and close
- Damaged frames, cranks, runners and locks
Fireplace
- Crumbling bricks or stonework
- Chimney height less than two feet above roof
Bathrooms
- Leaky faucets or drains; clogged drains
- Low water pressure
Kitchen
- Limited counter and cabinet space
- Poor plumbing under sink; not enough drains
Electrical System
- Less than 100 amps (fewer than 200 amps if
electric heat)
- Inadequate wiring
Plumbing System
- Pipes in bad condition; only one shut-off valve
- Clean-out plus are inconveniently located
Heating System
- Gas - clogged burners
- Oil - soot near registers, bad fittings & tank
- Hot water - noisy boiler or damaged controls
- Electric - malfunctioning blower
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Exterior Problems Landscaping
- Large trees are closer than 30 feet to the house
- Foilage is unhealthy or not trimmed
Outdoors Lighting & Electrical
Service
- No ground fault current interrupters
- Insufficient lighting & weatherproofing
Driveways, Sideways & Patios
- Water pools instead of draining away
- Cracking, crumbling tilting (shows settling)
Carport or Garage
- Siding & roof in poor condition
- Doors don't open & close smoothly; no locks
Siding
- Obvious splits, loose nails, nail pops, mildew
- Metal siding has dents or discolouration
Masonry Walls & Joints
- Missing mortar, cracks in joints, stains
- Efflorescence - a crusty, whitish salt deposit
Stucco & Lath Backing
- Lath has pulled away from the building
Foundation Walls
- Cracks more 1/4 inch wide
Presence of Insects
- Sawdust (may mean carpenter ants or bees)
- White powder (may mean powder-post beetles)
Windows
- No weather stripping or storm windows
- Bent frames and unpainted sills & trims
Outside Doors
- Warped frames or raised sills
- Non-weatherproofed, hollow core doors
Gutters & Down Spouts
- Obvious peeling paint, rusting or sagging
- Leaking joints; down spouts point toward home
Roof
- Sagging or leaning roof line
- Worn, loose, discoloured or missing shingles
- Heavy Moss
Chimney
- Leans, with loose flashing & damaged brick
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