This is a VISUAL inspection only. The scope of this inspection is to verify proper performance of the homes major systems, we do not verify proper design. The following items reflect the condition of the home and its systems at the time and date the inspection was performed. Conditions of an occupied home (and its systems) can and do change after the inspection is performed (i.e. leaks can occur beneath sinks, the water may run at toilets, the walls, doors, and flooring, may be damaged during moving, the kitchen sink disposal may get jammed, the dishwasher may leak, etc.).

The furnishings, personal items, and/or systems of the home are not dismantled or moved. A 3 - 4 hour inspection is not equal to "live-in exposure" and will not discover all concerns with the home. Unless stated in writing, we will only inspect/comment on the following systems: Electrical, Heating/cooling, Appliances, Plumbing, Roof and Attic, Exterior, Grounds, and the Foundation. NOTE: This inspection is not a warranty or insurance policy. The limit of liability of Inspector Cluseaus Home Inspection Service, Inc. and its employees, officers, etc. does not extend beyond the day the inspection was performed.

Cosmetic items (i.e. peeling/falling wall paper, scuffs on the walls, floor coverings, nail holes, normal wear and tear that is common in an occupied home, etc.) are not a part of this inspection. In addition, we do not inspect for fungus, rodents, or insects, of any type.

Although every effort is made to inspect/access all systems, it is not possible to describe every defect within the home. Various areas of the home may be inaccessible/not visible due to furniture and/or storage. Due to this, the home should be carefully reviewed during your final walk-thru as the home should be vacant and clear of obstruction. This is your opportunity to assure that no new concerns have occurred since the date of this inspection, that all requested repairs have been completed, and to verify that all systems are in proper, working condition (i.e. the plumbing system, appliances, electrical system, heating/cooling systems, etc.). NOTE: Please contact the office immediately if you suspect or discover any concerns during the final walk-thru (865-691-6158).

Home inspectors are generalist, who report on readily visible issues/concerns with a home. Inspectors do not provide methods or estimates of repairs and because inspectors are generalist, it is their duty to recommend further review by licensed specialist, contractors, etc. to allow you the opportunity to get a detailed review of any item noted in this report that you deem to be a concern. Should a repair method be provided, correction of the condition is not guaranteed. We recommend methods of correction, estimates, and repairs be performed by qualified, licensed contractors, or specialty trades people that you personally contact to assure the concerns are properly reviewed and corrected. In listing a possible method of correction, the inspector is not offering any opinion as to who should take responsibility for addressing any of these concerns. It is our recommended that you consult with your Real Estate Professional, Attorney, and/or Contractor for further advice with regards to any of the items/concerns listed in this report.

Although this report may identify products involved in class action lawsuits and/or recalled by the products manufacturer, this report will/may not identify ALL products. NOTE: There are numerous products involved in manufacturer recalls and/or class action law suits. Identifying products involved in manufacturer recalls or a class action lawsuit is NOT a requirement for Tennessee licensed Home Inspectors. You should seek the service of a qualified consulting company experienced in identifying manufacturer recalls and/or products involved in class action lawsuits.

For a fee, we will inspect all item/s requested for correction/repair to assure the item/s have been properly addressed. Please contact the office to schedule this service.

This inspection report and all information contained within is the sole property of the client/s named in this report and is not to be shared/passed on without the owners consent. Doing so may result in legal action.

This inspection complies with the code of ethics and standards of practice as required by The State of Tennessee Home Inspectors Licensing Board and the American Society of Home Inspectors. Links to these standards are listed below.

Tennessee Home Inspector Licensing Board Standards of Practice.

ASHI Standards of Practice

This report contains three different categories of concerns that are noted during the inspection.

Regardless of the category, all of the items should be reviewed by qualified professionals. 

The use of these categories should not diminish any other item listed in the report and does not alter the necessity for a repair. All items listed in each category are in need of a repair by a qualified individual, should be evaluated prior to closing (if this inspection is part of a real-estate transaction), and should be taken into consideration in relation to your interest in the home.

Items are placed in one of the following categories based on observations at the time of the inspection and the inspector's opinion and honest conviction.

Listed with most items is a recommendation for a trades specialist. The persons recommended in this report are, in my honest and unbiased opinion, the best and most qualified persons to address the specific concerns. A lesser skilled professional may be able to make repairs on some of the items listed; however, contracting a lessor skilled individual to perform repairs is not the decision of our company and the person who hires the contractor assumes all risk. 

Some repairs may be complex and there may be additional concerns that cannot be seen or discovered during this inspection. Therefor, I highly recommend ALL of the following items to be addressed or reviewed further by licensed contractors or repair professionals PRIOR to the purchase of the home so that you will be fully aware of the depth of repair for each particular concern.

Orientation comments in this report will be given as if facing the front of the house from the street (front, left, right, and rear) unless otherwise specified.

Settlement cracks are common to occur and typically are not a reflection of a significant concern. I recommend keeping all cracks sealed to discourage water entry and further cracking and deterioration.

The discharge ends of all downspouts were not located. NOTE: the ends of the pipes should be free from obstruction to ensure proper drainage.

All trees, shrubs, and vines should be kept clear from the sides of the home and it's components.

Dead-front covers are removed for inspection of the wiring unless otherwise noted in this report. 

The appliances that are present are operated / inspected using normal operation controls and are tested for basic function only. Notable deficiencies will be listed in this report.

The source of the waste water disposal was not verified as a part of this inspection. Verification of the waste water system should be obtained from the current owner. 

Listed above are the types of supply piping that were visible at the time of this inspection. Not all of the piping is visible during an inspection. Piping that was not visible cannot be commented on and is excluded from this report. 

The water softener system in the garage is no longer connected to the plumbing system and is not in service. Consult with the owner to inquire if the system is intended to be removed prior to closing. 

NOTE: common life expectancy for water heaters is 10-15 years for most units. 

Cosmetic concerns are not a part of this inspection. If there is a cosmetic concern noted in this report, it will be listed as such and will be noted as an informative item only.

Accessible windows are spot checked for functionality. Windows that are not accessible cannot be fully commented on. Notable deficiencies will be listed in this report. 

There are no screens installed on various windows. NOTE: the screens are installed in the garage. 

There were settlement cracks, nail pops, and loose tape joints in the drywall at various walls and ceilings. The cracks, loose tape joints, and nail pops, are common to occur due to normal settling and/or to the expansion and contraction that occurs when heating and cooling the home.

The walls and ceilings were in normal condition for the age (accounting for normal wear-and-tear that is common in an occupied home).

There is a stain on the ceiling in the rear guest bedroom. This appears to be a surface stain and is not an indication of any previous leak or concern. The stain can be cleaned / removed and the ceiling re-painted as necessary. 

Inspection of heating and cooling systems typically includes visual examination of readily observable components for adequate condition and system testing for proper operation using normal controls. This inspection will not be as comprehensive as that performed by a qualified heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system contractor. Report comments are limited to identification of common requirements and deficiencies.

Unit Brand: Rheem / Age (Years): 1-2 / Tons: 3

NOTE: the age listed is approximated based on the dates listed on the manufacturer's label on the unit. The average life expectancy for heating and cooling equipment is 10-15 years for most systems. 

Air Handler: Location: Attic / Brand: Lennox / Age (Years): 12-13

Compressor: Brand: Lennox / Age (Years): 12-13 / Tons: 3

NOTE: the ages listed are approximated based on the dates listed on the manufacturer's label on the unit. The average life expectancy for heating and cooling equipment is 10-15 years for most systems. 

Common life expectancy for most HVAC systems and components is 10-15 years. There are components present that are nearing or have past the average service life. Notable deficiencies will be listed in this report. I recommend obtaining a home warranty for all components that are nearing or have past their average life along with budgeting for repairs or replacement.

The unit was charged with R-22 refrigerant. This gas is becoming scarce because the US has agreed to phase out the production, import, and use of this refrigerant. Manufacturers are also beginning to ration the amount of R-22 refrigerant being sold to HVAC contractors and if there are refrigerant leaks, it will may be expensive to recharge the system. Consult with a reputable HVAC company for further information regarding R-22 refrigerant. Also view information released from the EPA at this link: Click Here.

The wood burning fireplace appears to function properly. There were no visible signs of drafting concerns or improper function.

I recommend having the fireplace and flue cleaned by a professional chimney sweeps company annually.

The roof inspection portion of the home inspection will not be as comprehensive as an inspection performed by a qualified roofing contractor. Because of variations in installation requirements of the large number of different roof-covering materials installed over the years, this inspection does not include confirmation of proper installation. Home Inspectors are trained to identify common deficiencies and to recognize conditions that require evaluation by a specialist. Inspection of the roof typically includes visual evaluation of the roof structure, roof-covering materials, flashing, and roof penetrations like chimneys, mounting hardware for roof-mounted equipment, attic ventilation devices, and mechanical and plumbing vents. The roof inspection does not include leak-testing and will not certify or warranty the roof against future leakage. Other limitations may apply and will be included in the comments as necessary.

The metal roof surface at the rear is in overall good functional condition. There is hail damage in the surface (dents). The dents do not affect functionality. 

The age listed is approximated and is based on visual observation of the shingle surface. 

The shingles are new. This shingle will generally last around 20-25 years in our climate depending on weather conditions and general maintenance. 

Inspection of the attic spaces includes observation of the following components: the presence and general condition of the insulation, methods of ventilation, and visual condition of the framing. As noted in the standards of practice, the roof framing system is not inspected for design or load calculations - ventilation and insulation value are not calculated for adequacy or performance. Obvious and visible signs of water intrusion will be noted in this report and effort will be made to try to determine water entry is ongoing - however, it is not possible in all situations to verify. All items in this section should be reviewed and corrected by the appropriate trades professionals. 

There were signs of previous leaks in the attic. All accessible areas were tested with a moisture meter and no moisture was detected unless otherwise specified in this report. 

The R-Value listed is an overall average for the visible / accessible attic spaces. Some areas may be above or below the overall average. NOTE: The current standard for attic insulation in our area is R38.

This home inspection includes inspection of the home structural elements that were readily visible at the time of the inspection. This typically includes the foundation, exterior walls, floor structures and roof structure. Much of the home structure is hidden behind exterior and interior roof, floor, wall, and ceiling coverings, or is buried underground. Because this inspection is limited to visual and non-invasive methods, this report may not identify all structural deficiencies. Upon observing indications that structural problems may exist that are not readily visible, the report may recommend inspection, testing, or evaluation by a specialist that may include invasive measures.

Per the Tennessee Home Inspector Licensing Board, this inspection is not required to include the following items: Lead-based paint, Radon, Asbestos, Cockroaches, Rodents, Pesticides, Treated lumber, Fungus, Mercury, Carbon monoxide, or Other similar environmental hazards. In addition, the report is not required to address subterranean systems or system components (operational or nonoperational), including: Sewage disposal, Water supply, or Fuel storage or delivery.

If there is readily visible evidence or a possibility that one of these items may be present, you may be advised to contact a specialist in the appropriate field for further investigation and to determine if corrective action is necessary.

If you have any specific concerns in regards to any of the items listed above (or any unmentioned environmental or health concerns) , you should contact a specialist immediately so that you can have the appropriate inspections and testing performed, as they are not included in this inspection (unless otherwise agreed upon).

There was no pest inspection performed. Contact our office if you wish to have this service provided. 

There was no mold testing or air quality sampling performed as a part of this inspection. Contact our office if you wish to have this service provided. 

There was no radon testing performed as a part of this inspection. Contact our office if you wish to have this service provided.