GetAPro LLC
This full home inspection in Chicago, IL covered 72 individual items across the exterior, roof, garage, kitchen, interiors, bathroom, plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems. The findings included 16 safety hazards, 38 recommended repairs, and 29 maintenance items, an unusually high volume driven largely by the electrical panel and outlets, along with a cluster of active leaks in the bathroom plumbing.
Electrical System
This home's electrical system accounted for ten of the sixteen safety hazards found during the inspection, more than any other system in the house. The service entrance has no visible grounding rod, a foundational safety component that gives electrical faults a safe path to ground. Inside the panel, breakers from a different manufacturer than the panel itself were found installed, a real concern since a breaker not listed for that specific panel can fail to trip reliably under a fault, and the panel's cover was missing fasteners, leaving components more exposed than they should be. The panel was also found improperly labeled, in need of cleaning, and could use a duct seal.
Outlets throughout the home had multiple issues: GFCI protection, required in several locations, was not present, one existing GFCI outlet wouldn't trip when tested, meaning it isn't actually protecting anyone, an open ground was found at one outlet, and some outlets had been painted over, which can interfere with proper function. Light fixtures had exposed or missing bulb covers in places along with one non-working bulb, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were either missing or over 10 years old and due for replacement. Given the number and nature of these findings, we'd recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate the panel and wiring as a priority before relying on the system day to day.
Bathroom
The bathroom had a cluster of active plumbing issues: a leaking shower head, a leaking supply pipe, an active water leak, a sink faucet with hot water not working, and both the sink's drainage pipe and its faucet leaking separately. The sink also had low water pressure, and the toilet was loose at its base. On top of the plumbing, microbial-like growth was noted, which often points to a moisture problem that hasn't been fully addressed, the caulking needs to be redone, and the shower door needs adjustment. A switch in the bathroom doesn't operate, and GFCI protection was missing, a code-required safeguard near water fixtures. Between the number of active leaks and the moisture-related growth, this room is worth a focused plumbing repair visit rather than addressing each item piecemeal.
Exterior, Decks, and Balconies
A walkway near the home was found sinking, creating a trip hazard that should be corrected, and loose wooden boards on a balcony presented the same kind of risk. Handrails and guards were also found loose, a fall hazard anywhere they're relied on for support. Beyond those three safety items, the exterior had a mix of lower-priority findings: cracked walkway/patio and driveway concrete, plantings growing too close to the foundation, foliage against the house, and trees or bushes touching the siding, all worth trimming or relocating to avoid trapping moisture against the exterior, dented vinyl siding, and cracked or damaged glass block windows. The deck and balcony need some routine wood maintenance, and the balcony railings showed corrosion.
Roof and Drainage
The roof itself was inspected with no other concerns beyond some expected granule loss, worth monitoring over time. The chimney cap had corrosion, a section of fascia metal cover was missing, and the drainage system needs attention in a few places: downspout extensions are missing or damaged, gutters are missing in one section, and downspouts that continue underground should be checked to confirm they're actually draining somewhere rather than just disappearing into the ground. In the attic, the scuttle cover was missing insulation, a simple and inexpensive fix that improves energy efficiency.
Garage
The garage door's weather stripping is incomplete or missing, and the door trim has some cosmetic damage. Some penetrations and openings in the framing should be sealed, and peeling paint was noted as routine maintenance.
Kitchen
The range's cooktop heating element isn't working and the oven isn't heating up, both should be repaired or the unit replaced depending on its age and value. The refrigerator's ice maker isn't connected or isn't working, and the fridge has some cosmetic dents. A kitchen faucet showed signs of a previous leak and current low water pressure, worth further evaluation by licensed plumber.
Interiors
Two windows were flagged as safety items: one with a lower sash that doesn't operate properly, and another that's missing or damaged outright, both should be addressed, particularly if either would serve as an emergency exit. A separate window doesn't lock, a security concern worth fixing. Other interior findings were routine: a damaged screen door, cosmetic issues and some damaged panels on the ceilings, countertops needing caulk and some adjustment along with minor wear, floor wear with a damaged transition strip, and cosmetic cracks on the walls and trim.
Plumbing Systems
The water heater is an older unit, worth budgeting for eventual replacement even though it wasn't flagged as failing and was operational at the time of inspection. The home also has a drum trap, an older style plumbing trap that is not self scouring, can collect heavy debris and is harder to clear if it clogs. Galvanized supply piping, which corrodes from the inside over time and gradually restricts water flow was also noted.
Heating and Cooling
The furnace is older and should be serviced before closing, standard practice to confirm it's in good working order for the new owners, and the gas shut-off valve was found missing or broken, important to have corrected since it's the quickest way to cut gas to the unit in an emergency. The AC condenser is also an older unit and due for its regular maintenance and tune-up.Vegetation growing near the condensing unit should be cleared back to maintain proper airflow.
Overall
With 72 items inspected and 83 total findings, this home's electrical system is clearly the priority. The missing grounding rod, mismatched breakers, missing GFCI protection, and outdated smoke/CO detectors all point toward having a licensed electrician do a full evaluation before relying on the system day to day. The active leaks in the bathroom are the other cluster worth addressing promptly, both to stop ongoing water loss and to get ahead of the moisture-related growth already present.
