HOUSE INSPECTION REPORT

PREPARED BY,NAZRIZAM BINTI AB. WAHAB

CONTENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………...pg 2

2.0 HOUSE BACKGROUND…………………………….…………………………….pg 3

3.0 METHODOLOGY OF INSPECTION…………………………………………….pg 5

4.0 SURVEY GRID DRAWING……………………………………………….………pg 6

5.0 DETAIL OF DEFECT INSPECTION…………………………………………….pg 9

6.0 SUMMARY OF DEFECTS……………………………….………………….…….pg 25

7.0 CONCLUSSION………...……………………………………………….………….pg 37

8.0 REFERENCES……………………………………………………………….……..pg 29

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home,

often in connection with the sale of that home. This is usually conducted by a home

inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The

inspector prepares a written report, often using home inspection software, and delivers it

to a client, typically the home buyer. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make

informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector

describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee

future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

An inspector will check the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-

conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings

looking for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items

that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues. However, it

should also be noted that a home inspection is not technically exhaustive and does not

imply that every defect will be discovered. A general list of exclusions include but are not

limited to: code or zoning violations, permit research, property measurements or surveys,

boundaries, easements or right of way, conditions of title, proximity to environmental

hazards, noise interference, soil or geological conditions, well water systems or water

quality, underground sewer lines and/or waste disposal systems, buried piping, cisterns,

underground water tanks and sprinkler systems to name a few.

A home inspector is sometimes confused with a real estate appraiser. A home inspector

determines the condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser determines the value of a

property.

A home cannot "fail" an inspection, as there is no score or passing grade given. A

professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is

not an appraisal. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local building code

compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe

its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need a major or

minor repair or replacement.

2.0 HOUSE BACKGROUND

No. 11, Jalan Sastera Tujuh,U2/1G TTDI Jaya,

40150 Shah Alam.

Figure 1 : House that been inspected

The house is double storey terrace house which was completed in early 2000 by TTDI

Development Sdn. Bhd. This house was owned by two owners before I bought in early

2010. The location is at TTDI Jaya and beside NKVE highway. Details about this house

as below:

Built up : 1800 sq ft

Bedroom : 4 nos

Bathroom : 3 nos

Size : 20” x 70”

Status : Freehold

Purchase this house base on ‘as is’ with partly furnished such as 1.5 Hp air conditioning

unit living hall, 1.0 Hp air conditioning unit at master bedroom, water heater in all

bathroom, remote sensing fan at living hall and master bedroom, auto gate, CCTV with

alarm system, kitchen cabinet with hood and exhaust fan, washing area, fish pond and

plaster ceiling.

Figure 2 : Location of house

3.0 METODOLOGY OF INSPECTION

Identifying the precise causal factors of building defects is frequently an onerous task for

any investigator (Addleson, 1992). Diagnosing defects is rarely a straightforward activity

with few risks. Detection of a defect is usually undertaken by identifying certain

indicators using most if not all the five human senses i.e visual, olfactory, aural, tactile

and taste.

In this case, the method that used to inspect this house is by the human senses as shown

in Table 1.

Table 1 : Methodology inspection : human senses

Faculty Example

Visual Look for changes in appearance: Staining Discolorations Indentation Distortion or irregular pattern

Olfactory Try to smell for unusual or foul odours: Mushroomy smell is indicative of dry rot Obnoxious smell may be indicative of either a

defective foul drain or a dead animal rotting in a hidden space.

Aural Detect bossed render by tapping it – a hollow or dull sound is indicative of bossing; a clear, sharp noise is indicative of sound substrate

Hear problems such as water hammer using a listening stick

Listen for dull sound when tapping timber with a hammer to ascertain if it is affected by fungal or insect attacks.

Tactile Feel surface for unevenness, roughness or loose material (e.g powdering and flaking of paint)

Feel material for friability (i.e the crumby state of mortar or wood is indicative of a problem)

Taste Bitter taste in drinking water may be indicative of contamination. However, the safe use of this faculty is limited because of the risk of contamination or poisoning.

4.0 SURVEY GRID DRAWING

SURVEY GRID DRAWING (TO DIFINING DEFECT LOCATION)

1617

18 15

1419

20

24

25

23

13

22

21

128

11

10 7

9 6

54

3

21

GROUND FLOOR LAYOUT PLAN

Wet area

Kitchen

Utility room

Dining area

Living hall

Car porch

Fish pond

Carpet grass

Auto gate

28

19

26

30

27

29

FIRST FLOOR LAYOUT PLAN

Master Bedroom

Bedroom 2 Bedroom 1

Family area

5.0 DETAILS OF DEFECT INSPECTION

DETAILS OF DEFECT INSPECTION

(REFER TO SURVEY GRID DRAWING)

No 1

Subject Main gateLocation Main entranceObservation There are some decay timber planks at the gate. This is because the gate is

exposed to damp climate. Also, the planks have been used for 6 years without good maintain from previous owner.

Picture

Corrective action

This problem can be solved by replace the affected planks with better material. Nyatoh, resak, and meranti are suitable for outdoor material as long as the materials are preserved finely. Shellacked the timber planks with UV PRO wood stain shellac.

No 2

Subject Main gateLocation Main entranceObservation Some corrosion on metal frame of the gate. Since the frames are exposed to the

atmosphere, they might corrode by oxidation, electrolytic or acidic corrosion.Picture

Corrective action

This problem can be repaired by scrape the rust and then repaint the metal frame with anti-corrosion coating, (metal-alkaline resin). Always monitor the metal frame condition to avoid corrosion from spread out to other area.

No 3Subject DrivewayLocation Main entranceObservation Staining on tiles at the driveway area due to dampness (rainwater staining). Picture

Corrective action

This area can be cleaned by using correct types of floor cleaning liquid or powder cleaning form. Stain remover such as N-P9 also good to remove the stains. The most important to avoid this matter is, don’t let the water ponding happen on that area after rainy day.

No 4

Subject Refuse compartmentLocation Main entranceObservation Staining on RC coping and compartment facade. Picture

Corrective action

The best way to solve this problem is repainting. Before that, ensure surface is thoroughly dry. Repainting the whole compartment with any brand of ‘exterior protective wall coating’. Example : Dulux Wall Sealer

No 5

Subject 3 ft brick wall fenceLocation Main entrance (outside area)Observation Damp on the 3 ft brick wall fence facade due to water attack that come from

rainfall.Picture

Corrective action

The problem is same like No.4 case. So, using ‘exterior protective wall coating’ can solve this problem. Use the same steps to repaint the brick wall so that it would long last.

No 6

Subject 3 ft brick wall fenceLocation Main entrance (inside area)Observation Staining on the carve stone due to dampness. Also, there was fungus infested

make the carve looks very dirty.Picture

Corrective action

Use high pressure water jetting (1500 psi) to clean the fungus and algae. Let it dry thoroughly. Repainting the carve stone with weather shield coating.

No 7Subject 2 ft timber plankLocation Right side fenceObservation Decay timber plank due expose to damp atmosphere. Picture

Corrective action

Replace the decay timber with the new plank using either resak or meranti. Shellacked the timber planks with UV PRO wood stain shellac.

No 8

Subject 7 ft brick wallLocation Right dividerObservation There is vertical crack between joint of 3 ft and 7 ft brick wall. This may cause

by soil settlement.Picture

Corrective action

Due to the crack, the best solution is re-plastering the brick wall and then repainting to avoid uneven paint at affected area.

No 9

Subject Floor tileLocation Car porchObservation The car porch area using homogeneous tile and pebble wash finishing. Due to

the observation, that area still in good condition. No broken tile and no obvious staining in that area.

Picture

Corrective action

Since the area in good condition, regular maintenances are required such as sweeping and cleaning.

No 10

Subject ApronLocation Car porchObservation There is a fine crack along the apron. It might be caused by soil settlement.Picture

Corrective action

The solution for this case is the area has to reconstruct by hack surround the crack and then re-plaster with the same material (pebble wash). Observation time to time needed to avoid crack occur again.

No 11Subject 3 ft brick wallLocation Left side dividerObservation There is vertical crack between joint of 3 ft and 7 ft brick wall. Same as at the

right side, this also cause by soil settlement.Picture

Corrective action

Due to the crack, the best solution is re-plastering the brick wall and then repainting at affected area.

No 12

Subject 7 ft brick wallLocation Left side dividerObservation Staining on brick wall surface cause by human soiling.Picture

Corrective action

This matter can be solve by clean the area, and then re-painting with the suitable color of paint.

No 13

Subject Party wallLocation Interior wallObservation Staining on some area on party wall, and also nail mark. Picture

Corrective action

Firstly, pull out the nails; fill the hole with filler, and finally repainting the wall with interior paint.

No 14

Subject Brick wall (left side)Location KitchenObservation 0.5 mm crack line between existing brick wall and extended area. There is a

vertical crack from ceiling to floor. This matter happened when the extension of the kitchen doesn’t apply new foundation. The wall is failure to carry the loading on it so that the cracks appear along the extension wall.

Picture

Corrective action

The best way to solve this problem is reconstruct the wall but due to budget, the cracks can be repaired using stitching method, and after that repainting the wall.

No 15

Subject Brick wall (right side)Location KitchenObservation Same as No. 14 case, the crack happened along the extension wall. The crack

line about 0.5 mm, is behind the kitchen cabinet.Picture

Corrective action

Also, the best way is reconstruct the wall. Anyway, the cracks can be repaired using stitching method, and after that retiling the wall as before.

No 16

Subject Floor tilesLocation Wet areaObservation Staining on the floor tile caused by water soluble chemicals action.Picture

Corrective action

This can be cleaned by using correct types of floor cleaning liquid or powder cleaning form. As proposed before, N-P9 also good to remove the staining.

No 17

Subject 3 ft brick wallLocation Wet areaObservation Vertical crack line cause by failure to carry loading.Picture

Corrective action

The solution for this case is to put caulk in the gap, re-plastering the brick wall and repainting it.

No 18

Subject Telephone junction boxLocation Wet areaObservation Uncovered junction box with untidy wire.Picture

Corrective action

Firstly, tidy the wire then put back the junction box cover.

No 19

Subject Water heaterLocation Ground floor bathroomObservation Low pressure on water heater spray. Since this house is unoccupied almost one

year, may be the water tank or the piping fully with sediments that make the water slow.

Picture

Corrective action

Check the water tank condition. If reasonable, wash the water tank and fill up with new water. Check the piping to make sure there are no leakages. Also, check the branch piping size. If the size too big, it also can be the factor of the water so slow.

No 20

Subject Floor tilesLocation Utility roomObservation Staining on the floor tile in front of the bathroom. This may cause by water

penetration to the tile.Picture

Corrective action

This can be cleaned by using correct types of floor cleaning liquid or powder cleaning form. As proposed before, N-P9 also good to remove the staining.

No 21

Subject Brick wallLocation Main switch areaObservation Stains on the surface and mark from previous installation.Picture

Corrective action

This can be removed by clean the area, and then repainting with suitable paint.

No 22

Subject TreadLocation StaircaseObservation Piece of parquet block are pull out from it place due to the failure of adhesive.

This because of moisture contain in the atmosphere.Picture

Corrective action

To repair this matter, firstly, clean the area from any dust. Put adhesive at the back of parquet then put into the place. Tap it firmly down with a hammer to bond and level it

No 23

Subject Party wallLocation Along the staircaseObservation Some staining on the surface of the party wall. This cause by repeating hand

touch the wall when use the staircase.Picture

Corrective action

To manage this problem, the wall has to repaint with suitable paint such as easy clean type.

No 24

Subject Book cabinetLocation Under staircaseObservation The cabinet still in good condition.Picture

Corrective action

Since the cabinet still in good condition, there is nothing much to do except cleaning the dust and maintain the hinge from corrode. Spray with WD-40 would make sure the hinge work better.

No 25

Subject FloorLocation Living hallObservation ‘Broken marble’ as finishing make the hall look bigger. The condition is good.Picture

Corrective action

Since the condition is good, the floor required regular cleaning and once a year polishing. Simply sweep well and go over with a damp mop. To sustain the floor, do not use abrasive cleaners.

No 26

Subject Guard railLocation StaircaseObservation Paint peel off at some area of the guard rail.Picture

Corrective action

To repair, firstly, the area has to be scratch to move out previous paint. After clean the area, repainting is required.

No 27

Subject FloorLocation Family areaObservation The parquet floor at family area is still in good condition and still shining. No

broken even pull out parquet founded. Picture

Corrective action

Regular maintenance required such as cleaning and polishing.

No 28

Subject FloorLocation Master bedroomObservation Termite attack at parquet floor in front of bathroom. Only certain area affected.

This happened when the previous owner bring inside the furniture that already has termite in the house. Luckily, this matter just happened and the area affected is under control.

Picture

Corrective action

The area is under treatment by using ‘biting’ type to control the termite spread out.

No 29Subject Pump water heaterLocation 2nd bathroom (1st floor)Observation The equipment still in good condition. Also, the water pressure quite good since

it has internal pump.Picture

Corrective action

No corrective action except regular maintenance such as check the condition, hose leaking or water drop from the spray if any.

No 30

Subject CeilingLocation 2nd bedroomObservation Fungus attack to the ceiling due to the dampness. There are leakages from the

roof.Picture

Corrective action

To repair, the leakages have to overcome first. After that, remove the fungus and repainting the area.

6.0 SUMMARY OF DEFECTS

This summary will shows the cause of defect, defect rating, defect priority and recommendation of repair works

Defect Rating: Repair Priority:

No Defects Causes of DefectDefect rating

Repair priority

Recommendation of repair works

     1 Decay timber

planksDue to weather condition

3 3 Replace and shellac

2 Corrosion on frame gate

Water interact with oxygen and the chemical of metal, due to oxidization

4 3 Repainting with anti corrosion coating

3 Staining on driveway tile

Due to dampness (rainwater staining)

3 3 Cleaning with cleaning chemical

4 Staining on RC coping

Due to dampness (rainwater staining)

3 3 Repainting with exterior protective wall coating

5 Dampness on facade

Due to water attack from rainfall

3 3 Repainting with exterior protective wall coating

6 Staining on carve stone

Due to dampness and fungus infested

3 4 Water jetting, drying and repainting with weather shield coating

7 Decay timber planks

Due to damp atmosphere

3 3 Replace and shellac

No Defects Causes of Defect Defect Repair Recommendation

As New

1

Good

2

Medium

3

Poor

4

Unsafe

5

Most urgent

1

Urgent

2

Least urgent

3

Regular maintenance

4

Requires normal maintenance

5

rating priority of repair works8 Vertical cracks

on brick wallDue to soil settlement 4 3 Re-plastering and

repainting

9 Good condition on car porch tile

NA 2 5 Sweeping and cleaning

10 Fine crack along apron

Soil settlement 4 3 Reconstruct or re-plastering with pebble wash finishing

11 Vertical crack Soil settlement 4 2 Re-plastering and repainting

12 Staining on brick wall

Human soiling 3 3 Cleaning and repainting

13 Staining and nail mark

Decoration 3 3 Filling the hole and repainting

14 Vertical crack on extension wall

No foundation and soil settlement

5 1 Reconstruct or use stitching method, and re-plastering, also repainting

15 Vertical crack on extension wall

No foundation and soil settlement

5 1 Reconstruct or use stitching method, and re-plastering, also retiling

16 Staining on wet area floor tile

Due to water soluble chemicals action

3 3 Cleaning with cleaning chemical

17 Vertical crack line

Due to failure to carry load

4 3 Re-filling the gap, re-plastering and repainting

18 Uncovered junction box

The cover are drag out

3 2 Replace the cover

19 Low pressure on water heater spray

Due to sediment level in water tank overflow to branch piping

4 2 Clean water tank and refill

20 Staining on floor tiling

Due to water penetration on the tile

3 3 Cleaning with cleaning chemical

21 Staining Mark from previous installation

3 3 Cleaning and repainting

22 Parquet block pull out

Due to failure of adhesive

4 3 Cleaning and stick back the parquet

23 Staining on party wall

Repeating hand touching the area

4 3 Repainting with easy clean paint

No Defects Causes of DefectDefect rating

Repair priority

Recommendation of repair works

24 Good condition on book cabinet

NA 2 4 Regular cleaning

25 Good condition on marble floor

NA 2 5 Regular cleaning and once a year polishing

26 Paint peel off on guard rail

Due to usage 4 3 Repainting

27 Good condition on parquet floor

NA 2 5 Regular cleaning and once a year polishing

28 Broken parquet Termite attack 4 2 Biting treatment

29 Good condition on water heater

NA 2 5 Regular maintenance

30 Fungus attack to the ceiling

Due to the dampness and roof leakage

4 2 Remove fungus an d repainting

7.0 CONCLUSION

As New Good Medium Poor Unsafe0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Total defect based on defect rating

Total work by defect rating

Chart 1 : Total defect based in defect rating

Chart 2 : Total repair based on repair priority

From both of the charts above, we can conclude that this house is quiet well maintain by

previous owner. There are no new defect occurs in the house. There are 12 out of 30s

inspection are in medium level of defect. They come from timber decay, staining and

dampness defects. These defects are least urgent and can be repair slowly. Even though,

intention should be given to the poor defect such as corrosion, crack line, low pressure in

water heater, finishing (parquet), staining, peel off of paint and fungus attack so that the

deteriorate could be avoid. Most important is to give urgent repair to unsafe defects such

as vertical cracks on extension wall. Advice from expert to overcome this matter can

avoid the wall re-crack in next time.

Most urge

nt

Urgent

Least

urgent

Regular

main

tenan

ce

Require

s norm

ail m

ainten

ance

02468

1012141618

Total repair based on repair priority

Total work by repair priority

8.0 REFERENCES

1. James Douglas and Bill Ransom, 2007, Understanding Building Failures – Third

Edition, Taylor & Francis, London

2. Edward A. Noy Revised by James Douglas, 2005, Building Surveys and Reports –

Third Edition, Blackwell, London

3. John Hinks & Geoff Cook, 1994, The Technology Of Building Defects, Taylor &

Francis, London