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| About the House Problems Index |
The House Problems Index is seperated into groupings to assist you in locating your house problem information. Because we tend to think of "Systems" or "Locations" when referring to a problem, the index has been grouped by system or location.
The groupings are: Structure, Electric, Heating and Cooling, Plumbing, Basement/Crawlspace, Kitchen, Interior, Exterior and Grounds.
Within each grouping, the index is further seperated by cost of repair, replacement, upgrade, and level of safety risk.
MAJOR PROBLEMS: Problems, which are high cost items, are classified as "Major Problems". Safety issues may also be classified as "Major Problems" even though the cost associated with correcting the safety issue may be low. The classification of a safety issue is determined by the associated risk.
MINOR PROBLEMS: Lower cost items, or less significant risk items are classified into this grouping.
Selecting (Clicking) an indexed item will take you to information about that item. You may also use the "Search" funtion to find information contained in this portion of the web site that is about your house problem.
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| House Problems - Indexed |
Basement/Crawlspace/Cellar/Slab
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Electrical
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Entrance Cable leads/lugs loose
Major Appliance leads/lugs loose
Antioxidant Paste needed
Tripped Circuit Breakers or Blown Fuses
Multiple taps at single breaker or fuse
Extending of Circuitry
Circuits not connected in Panel
Extension cords
Spliced wires
Frayed Applicance wires Plugs
Adapters - nonpolarized or ungrounded
Wires - loose or unprotected
Boxes - uncovered, loose
Fixtures - broken, defective, improper clearance
Receptacles - dead, ungrounded, painted, broken, rusted, loose, poor connections, reversed polarity, cover missing
Switches/Dimmers - defective, multiple pole needed
Antenna - ungrounded, too close to electrical wires
Utility Service Entrance Cables - frayed, in trees
Meter Box - loose
Service Entrance - loose, frayed, no drip loop
Outdoor Fixtures - open to weather
Wire - damaged, inappropriate type
Panel - damaged, inappropriate type
Doorbell - nonfunctional
Sub Panel - improperly wired, improper bonding/grounding
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Exterior and Grounds
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
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Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Mismatch between - units, house, distribution
Heat Exchanger - cracked, holed, rusted *test
Boiler Leakage - frozen, rusted, seal failure
Flue unsafe - clearance, capacity, mixed draft, integrity
Combustion air is insufficient
Air Conditioner or Heat Pump - out, partial operation, not tested
Asbestos - exposed, friable
Steam Control - defective
Heating Appliance or Wood Stove - clearance
Flue Damper - malfunction
Oil Burner or Heater - dangerous if operated
Space Heater - dangerous if operated
Uneven Heat Distribution or Stratification
Discharge Air Register placement
Return Air Grille placement
Room(s) without heating and/or cooling
Electric heating unit - out, wired in series
Buried Oil Tank - leaking, improperly abandoned
Fuel Leaking
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Heat Exchanger - casing rust, duct rust
Furnace - rust, clean, service
Boiler - rust, clean, service
Flue - rust, connections, incline, length, clearance
Wiring - burned, loose
Pilot - adjust, clean,
Burner - adjust, clean, service
Air Handler - vibrating, loose, dirty, drip pan, drain
"V" Belt - adjust, replace, replace pulley
Guage(s) malfuntion
Control(s) malfuntion
Air Conditioner or Heat Pump - dirty, fouled fins, condensate tray overflow, condensate removal pump malfunction
Service Switch - missing, broken, poor location
Humidifier - out, service
Electronic Filter - out, miswired, service
Filter - dirty, loose, missing
Duct - dirty, loose, damaged, leaking air
Duct or Plenum - noisy, leaking, insulate
Circulator Pump - out, service
Valves - leaking, malfunction
Air in Hydronic System - purge
Oilburner Firebox - seal, reline
Barometric Damper - adjust, install, service
Utility Room Enclosure: missing, improper
Radiator/Baseboard - valves, handles
Register - missing, damaged, inoperative mechanism
Outdoor Unit: Air Conditioner/Heat Pump/Chiller
- poor location of unit
- clearance for air flow
- support for unit
- refrigerant or coolant plumbing: oil stains, damaged or missing insulation, oil stains, coolant leak
- heat exchange fins: damaged, dirty, oil stains
- fan: vibrating. damaged,
- guards or hardware missing or damaged
Flue Cap - missing, rusted, loose
Thermostat - broken, loose, old, poor location
Evaporative Cooler - leaks, fouled, pump out, blower out
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Interior
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Fireplace unsafe
Chimney unsafe
Wood Stove - improper clearance, cresote
Heating Unit - improper clearance
Hi-Hat recessed lights - insulation covered
Insulation - uncovered, UFFI, vermiculite
Garage floor elevation improper for flame separation
Friable Asbestos
Ducts contain - water, chemicals
Condensation
Poor ventillation
Ice Dams
Ceilings/Walls - damaged, loose, wallpaper, paint
Floor - stained, swelled, rotted, damaged
Carpet - worn, torn, stained, pet odor
Window(s) - broken, disrepair, failed seals
Door(s) - damaged, disrepair, not fire rated
Party Wall or Fire Wall - missing, incomplete, incorrect material for required fire rating
Smoke Alarm - missing, inoperative, poor location
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Wall(s) - loose, cracks, nail pops, stains, spalling, minor damage, amateur repairs
Ceiling(s) - Loose, cracks, nail pops, stains, spalling, minor damage, amateur repairs
Paint - old, faded, peeling, alligatoring, stained
Floor - loose, marred, stained, dirty
Carpet - loose, marred, stained, dirty
Floor Sag - cracked floor tiles
Window - adjust, damaged, stuck, weatherstrip, hardware, locks, screens, glazing, seals failed
Door - adjust, damaged, stuck, weatherstrip, hardware, locks, screens, glazing, seals failed
Storm Sash - incomplete, brokent, adjust, caulk, weep holes missing/blocked
Trim - missing, damaged, renail
Fireplace - smokey, cracked, point mortar joints, cap, screen, clean ashdump, clean tiles,
- service/repair gas logs
- poor clearance to combustibles
Damper - seal, warped, rod
Insulation - placemnt, baffels, vapor retarder, vents blocked, pests, screen(s)
Fan(s)
- attic fan defective
- whole house fan - defective, improper mounting
Garage Door - broken, sags, tracks, springs, cable, brace, locks, power supply, remotes
Bath Transom - loose, missing
Central Vacuum - malfunction, activators, discharge
Stair(s) - risers uneven, handrail
Pulldown stair
Vapor Retarder in attic - missing, incomplete, reversed location
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Kitchen
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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OVEN
- bake element or burner malfunction
- broil element or burner malfuntion
- thermostat malfuntion
- elements operate together
- light inoperative
- dirty
OVEN/BROILER DOOR
- hinge(s) defective
- door warped
- glass broken, damaged or obscured vision
- latch inoperative
- gasket damaged
- poor closure or seal
COOKTOP
- stained or damaged
- burner or element defective or malfunctioning
MICROWAVE
- malfuntion, timer, microwave leakage
REFRIGERATOR
- not functioning
- noisy
- poor closure
- Cabinet not level, damaged, dirty
- Gaskets torn, loose, dirty
- Defrost fan or heater malfunction
- Shelves damaged, missing
- Trays damaged, missing
ICE MAKER malfuntion, noisy, leaking
DISHWASHER
- noisy, leaks, malfuntion
- discharge hose blocked
- no: vacuum breaker, air gap, anti-siphon loop
- Door; latch ineffective, springs broken, rust, gasket
DISPOSER
- malfuntion, leaks, jammed, noisy, odor, rust
- wire loose
INSTANT HOT; malfunctions, leaks, wire loose
EXHAUST FAN
- malfuntions, damaged, missing
- dirty, drafty, air flap
COMPACTOR
- malfuntions, dirty, noisy, locked
SINK
- damaged, hardware leaks, rinse hose malfuntion
CABINETS damaged, loose, warped, shelves
COUNTERTOPS damaged, loose, warped
DOORS/DRAWERS strike, glides, hardware
FLOOR raised seams, buckled, uneven, loose, torn, delaminated, dirty
PILOTS/CONTROLS malfuntion, no power |
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Plumbing
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Well - failure, dry, equipment malfuntion
Septic System - failure, equipment malfunction
Gray or Black Water septic system remains active
Sewage extractor/ejector - pump or seal failure
Restricted water flow rate - clogged,undersized, damaged pipes
Frozen Plumbing System - past or present
Freeze Vulnerable - pipes or pumps
Shower - leak, split, damaged
Bathtub - leak, split, damaged, rusted
Cross Connection - water supply, waste
Tile Repair - wall protection
Safety Relief Valve - needed, malfuntion, relocate
DWV/Supply Water Pipes - leaking, broken, lead
Plumbing Vent - missing, location
Brass Pipe - deposits, copper, lead, acid
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Flood Rim - laundry tub, S-trap, vent
Drain - slow, stopped, incline, trap, missing
Storm Water - drains to sanitary sewer
Water Hammer
Pipe Hangers - insuffient, dissimilar metals
Water Heater - leak, drain, flush, dip tube, adjust flame shield, clean burner, flue connection, backdrafting, electric element, thermostat, thermocouple, relief valve discharge pipe
Fixtures - missing, loose, marred, cracked, stained, chipped, peeling, crazing
Hardware - clog, chatter, reverse, rebuild WELL
Popup Drain Contol - missing, malfunction
Valve(s) - repack, washer, seat, handle, no access
Toilet - loose, leaks, harware, flush, cracked
Shower - doors, head, hardware, caulk
Tile - caulk, grout, reset, replace, shower guards
Bath Fans - malfunction, noisy, extend discharge
Bathtub Compression Seal - malfuntion, no access
GAS - leak, valves, drip leg, flex pipe
Drip Tray - water heater, washing machine, air handler
Leaks/Corrosion - pipes, fittings, other
Sprinkler repairs needed
Washer/Dryer - hoses, knob, noisy, vent |
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Structure
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| Major Problems |
Minor Problems |
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Soil - slip, heave, expansive, subsidence
Foundation - bulged, cracked, excessive loads, tree roots, settled slab, ongoing settlement, soft mortar
Footing - size, placement, undercut, rotation
Concrete Slab - heave, settlement, deterioration
Wood Clearance from Earth - too close, in contact
Column - Unsound, eccentric load
Wood Boring Insects - infestation, unrepaired damage
Cantilevered Construction - unsound, deteriorated
Stoop Rotation/Settled - foundation, piers
Wall Framing - decayed, woodborers
Extensive Decay - roof, floors, walls, FRT wood
Span/Header/Column/Support nails
Lintel or Arch - settled, deflected
Brick Veneer - separation, settlement
Wall Bulge
Chimney - settlement, cracked, rotation
Poor Bearing Soil - soil/rock
Porch Beam - decay, expanding lintels
Enclosure without continuous footings or foundation
Vertical/Lateral Loads - drift
Structural Concrete Deterioration
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Small Foundation Cracks - one-time settlement, shrinkage, poor drainage
Concrete Slab - cracked, shrinkage, finish
Concrete - cold pour joints, form ties remain, porous wall
Deteriorated supports or columns
Floor Sag - joist crown, joist cuts or cracked, span, poor support
Checked/Cracked/Cut - sill, beam, joist, post, rafter
Decay - subfloor, joist, beam, sill plate, post
Damp Wood Bending or Creep
Wood Boring Inspects - unrepaired damage
Conditions conducive to wood deterioration
Framing - crush, hangers, bridging
Leaning Stairs - multilayed support
Floors - deflecting, springy
Roof - sags, water ponds, cracked rafter(s)
Roof-top Equipment - support, decay
Truss - rising, cut, damaged chords, damaged rafters
Rafter/Sheathing - decay, delamination
Lintel - rusting, expanded
Minor wall bulge or chimney settlement
Cavity Wall - flashing, weep holes |
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