During our assessment we found water leaking from the P trap of the guest bathroom, which can lead to water waste and potential water damage over time. Fixing these leaks promptly by tightening connections or replacing faulty components will help conserve water and protect your bathroom from moisture-related issues. Regular maintenance of plumbing fixtures ensures efficient operation and prevents costly repairs in the future.

Broken glass was found in the guest bedroom window, which poses a safety and security risk. It's important to replace the broken glass promptly to prevent injuries and maintain the structural integrity of the window. Ensuring all windows are in good condition enhances your home's security, energy efficiency, and comfort.

Minor creosote buildup was found in the front sitting room, and living room chimneys, with additional firebox masonry damage in the front sitting room. The basement fireplace had a considerable amount of debris built up. Creosote is a flammable substance that can pose a fire hazard if not removed. Regular cleaning and inspection of the chimney are recommended to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

We observed multiple sash cords throughout the home that were either disconnected or non-functional. This can be repaired for someone familiar with older double-hung windows, though replacement with modern, energy-efficient units is also an option worth considering.

The toilet seat in the upstairs hall bath is broken. This poses a minor-safety hazard. This is a simple DIY replacement you can handle with a trip to the hardware store and a free afternoon. Regular maintenance of bathroom fixtures helps prolong their life and maintain a clean, functional space.

Several doors throughout the home, including the front entry door, and those in several bedrooms , the primary, and first-floor bathrooms, have issues such as malfunctioning latches or sticking doors. In the guest bathroom, the vanity is missing hardware on the left door. The mirror on the back of Madeline's door is loose as well and could use a few more clips.

The bathroom ventilation ductwork in the attic is missing insulation and is poorly run. This makes it difficult to do it's main job which is to remove humidity from your bathrooms. There is also a support strap on the HVAC ducting that has failed and should be reinforced. Addressing these issues by properly insulating, supporting, and routing the ductwork will improve the system's efficiency and your home's comfort.

There are several electrical concerns throughout the home, including missing GFCI protection in wet areas of the laundry room and utility room, open grounds in multiple rooms, and missing or damaged cover plates in the basement den and activity room. These issues pose fire and safety risks. It's important to have a qualified electrician address these concerns to ensure your home's electrical system is safe and up to code.

The exterior siding shows signs of paint peeling, bubbling, caulk separation, wood rot, and loose or damaged pieces. These issues can lead to water infiltration and further damage to the home's structure. It's important to address these concerns by repainting, recaulking, and replacing any damaged siding to protect your home from moisture and maintain its curb appeal. Flashing around dormers and in valleys should be inspected and replaced as needed.

The attic has uneven flooring and obstructions, which can pose a personal injury risk. Removing obstructions or securing loose boards from the attic flooring will ensure safe and smooth movement through the attic.

Minor water stains, peeling paint, and efflorescence were observed in the utility room, indicating a possible exterior drainage or moisture issue. It's important to investigate and address the source of the moisture to prevent further damage and potential mold growth. Repairing any hidden leaks, ensuring proper grading and drainage away from the foundation, and ensuring proper ventilation will help maintain a dry and healthy environment.

In the kitchen, there's a minor grease buildup on the grease filter. While it might seem like a small issue, it's crucial for fire safety to keep these filters clean to prevent grease fires. It's a simple maintenance task that can have a big impact on safety and efficiency.

There are drainage issues at the foundation, from improper grading and poor slope of the corrugated drainpipe at the front of the house, which can lead to water pooling and potential foundation damage. It's important to adjust the slope and grade to ensure proper drainage away from the home to protect the foundation and prevent water damage. Verify downspouts that feed into below-grade drainage systems are free-flowing and regularly cleaned.

There were minor coverage gaps and areas of disturbed insulation in the attic, which can lead to energy inefficiency and discomfort in your home. Addressing these gaps by adding or adjusting insulation will help maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reduce energy bills, and improve overall comfort. Proper insulation is key to keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Be careful where you put mulch—it can cause your gas meter pipes to corrode, so keep it away from the service riser. Also, when plants and trees grow too close to your home, they can trap moisture and damage the siding. Trim back overgrown vegetation to help your home breathe and stay dry. A good rule of thumb: leave a few feet of space between bushes and the house, and keep tree limbs at least 10 feet away from the roof.

We've noticed that the handrails in the basement, foyer, and off the rear bluestone patio are loose. Ensuring these handrails are secure is a good measure reducing risk. Addressing this issue promptly can prevent potential personal injury and provide peace of mind as you and your family move about the house.

We read our water pH test level as 6 which is just in the acidic region. This level can lead to corrosion of pipes and fixtures over time and is said to give a "metallic" taste to your water. If you've noticed any of these symptoms, we would recommend further testing and possibly introducing a water treatment system.

A fire extinguisher is missing in the kitchen, which is a crucial component of fire safety. Having a readily accessible fire extinguisher in the kitchen can help quickly address small fires, preventing them from escalating. Installing a fire extinguisher provides peace of mind and enhances the safety of your home by ensuring you're prepared for potential fire emergencies.

Smoke detectors are missing in multiple areas across the house, notably from all bedrooms. Smoke detectors are vital for early fire detection and safety. Installing smoke detectors in these rooms will ensure that you and your family are alerted quickly in case of a fire, providing crucial time to evacuate and call for help. Keeping your home equipped with working smoke detectors is essential for fire safety.

Signs of microbial growth were observed in the guest bathroom, basement bathroom, primary bathroom, and upstairs hall bath. Microbial growth such as mildew or mold can lead to health issues and indicates moisture problems that need to be addressed. Cleaning the growth, and addressing the source of moisture will help prevent future growth and maintain a healthy indoor environment.

The exterior hardscaping shows signs of mortar cracks and gaps, which can lead to water infiltration and further degradation. Proper maintenance of the exterior hardscaping not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also protects the structural integrity of your property.

In the attic, disturbed insulation and old glue traps suggest pest activity. Pests can cause damage to insulation and other structures, and their presence can lead to health concerns. It's important to address this issue by removing nests, repairing insulation, and regularly maintaining your pest control measures. Replacing these glue traps regularly will help you monitor and track activity.

The pan under the HVAC unit in the attic shows signs of rust or corrosion, which may be evidence of condensation or a clogged drain line. This is not unusual, but a reminder for yearly and regular maintenance of HVAC units. Investigating and taking care of the cause of these rust issues now can extend the life of your HVAC system and improve air quality.

The basement's sump pump may lacks a battery backup which is an important feature for preventing water damage during power outages. If this is not powered when when your backup generator kicks in, consider installing an independent battery backup system to ensure the sump pump continues to operate during storms or power failures.

Paint bubbles, flakes, or cracks were observed in multiple rooms, including the basement, foyer, dining room, front sitting room, kitchen, basement activity room, guest bathroom, living room, primary bathroom, Madeline’s bedroom, and the first-floor bathroom. These issues can indicate underlying moisture problems or structural movement, but most of what we saw was cosmetic.

Minor caulk separation and grout cracks were observed in the kitchen, guest bathroom, basement bathroom, primary bathroom, and upstairs hall bath, and water pooling or staining (trim damage) in the upstairs hall bath. Addressing these issues by resealing and repairing affected areas will help prevent water infiltration and maintain a healthy environment.