SRT112 - Sustainable Construction: Home Inspection Report 2019

This report details a home inspection conducted on a single-story masonry blockhouse built in 1957, assessing its structural integrity and identifying defects. The inspection covered various aspects, including the exterior (sidewalks, decks, fences), roof system, plumbing, and electrical systems. The report highlights the building's condition, noting areas needing repair or replacement, such as loose boards on the balcony, damaged fence gates, and issues with the roof and windows. It provides grading for different components and offers recommendations for maintenance and improvements, such as trimming overhanging trees, installing GFCI outlets, and addressing moisture stains on skylights. The inspection was limited by accessibility, with concealed areas not assessed, and the report is intended for private use by the client and professional advisors. The report emphasizes the need for regular maintenance to ensure the longevity of the building's various components, particularly gutters and tarred flashings. The inspection also includes details of the climatic conditions, inspection equipment, and safety requirements.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

Introduction
The main purpose of this particular inspection was to carry out limited auditory and visual site
observations of the accessible areas of the primary structure, electrical systems, mechanical
components and give a personal opinion on whether the building’s component is performing the
function for which it was meant to or not(Blanche et al.2014).Also to recommend where
necessary repair procedures. This particular report is actually all-encompassing. In fact, the
report is very specific in the evaluated areas by the inspector.
Conditions of the inspections
Information on the client:
Mr. Jactone Ombogo
Mailing Address [e-mail]
City: Sydney
Information about the inspection
Inspector: Engineer Jared Owili
Inspection Date: 15/09/2019
Inspection time: 10:05
Address of the inspection: Off Southern Cross Drive road residential buildings.

Figure 1: The residential structure
Item of inspection: Home inspection in general( Lead Water Test, Radon Air Test, and Wood
Destroying Insect Inspections)
Climatic Conditions
Average Temperature Outside: 21 degrees
Weather conditions: Clear weather
Conditions of the Soil: Damp
Inspection Equipment
 Flashlight for checking dark places
 A hand rule
 Flash camera
 Spirit level device for height determination.
 Termite donger
Safety requirements
 Safety boots
Off Southern Cross
Drive road residential
building.

 Helmets
 Hand gloves
DESCRIPTION
Type and age
The property is an excellently located ancient single story masonry blockhouse constructed in
1957 having been used as a residential offering accommodation to family to the facility from
across the world and appears to be in a stable condition at the time of inspection.
Accommodation
The main property is configuring with the main entrance to the frontal façade of the property and
accommodation on the two levels as follows:
Ground: Toilet, Bathroom, Shower, Pay Phones, Teaspot, Kitchen
First: Teaspot, Shower, Toilet, Bathroom, Bedroom
The property has parking facilities. An open area finished on hand dressed stones is located to
the rear of the property
Characteristics of the building
Estimated year of construction: 1957
Type of the building 1 Family
Space Below Grade: Basement
Services for Utility

Source of water: Public
Disposal sewages: Public
Status of utilities: All utilities on
Other relevant information
Was the building Occupied: No
Presence of the client: Yes
Other people Present: Buyers agent.
Grounds
This particular inspection was never intended to include or address any geological condition or
provide information related to the stability of the building. There was limited reference made to
only regions found close to the exterior walls. The inspection was visual in nature and therefore
there was no attempt to determine the performance of the site in terms of the drainage or the
underground piping conditions including a sewer or municipal water(Bardach et al 2015)
BUILDING CONDITIONS
Grading System
Condition
Grade
Priority
Rating
Description Condition Recommendation
Good 4(A+) Functioning as expected 7-15 Lasting/ long-term work required
within the timespan that will aid in

preventing loss in value of the
property
Satisfactor
y
3 Functioning as expected even
though illustrating minor
defects
3-7 Some work needed to avoid damage
to the property
Poor 2 Illustrating major defects and
may not be operational as
expected
1-3 months Essential work needed to avoid
further deterioration of the property
Bad 1 Worn out/ expired lifespan Immediate Urgent work required which would
avoid closure and prohibition of
entry into the property
Sidewalks
Type: Brick
Condition: The general condition of the building appeared to be acceptable at the time the
inspection was carried out.
Stoops/Exterior Stairs
Type category: Concrete built
Condition: There was noted settlement at the step and stoop. There was a requirement of the
repair.

Grading 2
Patio: There was none present
Balcony/Decks:
Available type: Wood material construction
Balcony condition:
Figure 2: Appearance of the balcony
Porch
Status: There was none present
Porch Cover/Patio
Type recognized: None was applicable
Retaining Walls
Type identified: Masonry
Status: The condition appeared generally acceptable at the time or the period of the inspection
Grading 4
There were identified cases of loose/raised
boards which potential created trip hazard.
The structure of the deck appeared to be set
directly in the ground. Such kind of the deck
low elevation prevented a move to properly
view underneath the structure of the deck.

Condition: There was pitch slope of soil away from the base of the foundation. It is usually
recommended that the slope of the soil should fall away from the foot of the foundation at least
½ inch as well as extending at least 10 feet away from the foundation.
Gates and Fences
Type of the fence: Wire, chain link
Conditions:
Figure 3: Physical appearance of the gate
Grading 4
Conditions of Landscaping:
There were trees overhanging or touching the roof. There was a need to have them removed.
There was a recommendation for trimming or removal of vegetation away from the structure.
Exterior
The areas which are hidden from the view by the walls that had been could not be possibly
judged and therefore did not form part of the process of inspection. It is important to note that
minor cracks may be typically present in most of the foundations though they rarely represent the
There was damage which was noted on the fence gate. The
gate needs adjustment or repair.

structural problem. Usually, there is a recommendation of routine evaluation for those cracks
which form with bowing by a qualified structural engineer(Fatahi and Tabatabaiefar 2013).
Ideally, the proper design should allow the external grades should always allow the roof water as
well as the surface water to flow away from the foundation. Also, it is important to note that all
the concrete slabs will experience some form of cracking during shrinkage e as the process of
drying progress. It was anticipated that floor coverings will block or prevent the recognition of
the cracks. As such in cases where carpeting, as well as other mechanisms of floor covering, has
been installed, the material and the condition of the floor that is found underneath would not be
easily determined.
Exterior 1
Location: Within the house
The material used: stone, vinyl siding
Preset state or condition: The general condition of the material used in siding appeared to be an
acceptable state at the time inspection process was carried out.
Exterior 2
Location of the place: Garage
The material used: Vinyl siding
The condition of the state: The general condition of the siding material which was under the
study appeared to be acceptable at the inspection time.
Trim

Location of the point: Garage, House
The material used: Aluminium
The conditions appeared to be generally accepted during the inspection time.
Grading 3
Fascia
Location point: Garage, House
The material used: Aluminium
Conditions of the structure: There was the identification of some loose sections. It would be
recommended that replacement be done(Allouhi et al.2015)
Grading 1
Soffits
Location of the structure: Garage, House
The material used: Vinyl
The condition of the structure: There were some loose sections which were noted. Replacement
would be an ideal step.
Grading 1
Entry Doors

Figure 4: State of the door
Windows:
Type of the window: Casement windows sliding windows; Vinyl Clad Type
Windows: There was a case of the cracked panes which were noted. Cases of seals which had
failed were also identified. Also, there were cases of torn screens
Windows at the basement: Their conditions appeared to be in acceptable condition at the time
inspection was carried out
Grading 4
Miscellaneous:
Electrical: There would be a recommendation of the installation of GFCI at the protected outlets
all the locations in the exterior. There was a case of the loose cases of outlets identified on the
external points especially at the garage as well as rear section off the deck.
Other remarks:
Damaged or decayed areas were noted at the lower
section of the rear door as well as the front side of the
door.

Figure 5: Front face appearance
Roof System
During the investigation, it was discovered that the only way to determine the effectiveness of
any roofing system is during heavy rainfall. However, during the time of the inspection, this
particular condition was never present. The inspection of the roof system was therefore on the
basis of what was visible as well as accessible at that particular time. There was permission to
walk on the surfaces of the roof where the conditions were not perceived to be worse(Wehby et
al 2016).
Roof 1
Location of the structure: Garage, House
Access of the roof: There was a literal walking process on the roofs.
Type of the roof: Design life of Architectural Shingles
Approximated age of the roof: Over 10 years
Status of the Roof Covering: Mildew and mold was identified on the surface of the roof. The
fasteners, as well as nails, were found protruding from the surface of the roof. The areas of the
There was loose trim which was noted at the front door
columns. It is important to note that foliage, as well as
planting, was not considered during the inspection exercise.
This might have contributed to the obstruction of the
observation of the defects in the foundation and siding.