GetAPro LLC
This home inspection in Lansing, IL covered 72 individual items across the exterior, roof, garage, kitchen, interior, bathroom, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, and structural systems. The findings included 22 safety hazards, 42 recommended repairs, and 22 maintenance items, a high overall find count, with the water heater, dryer venting, and stairways standing out as the priority safety items.
Water Heater and Gas Appliances
The water heater showed signs of backdrafting, meaning combustion gases aren't venting properly to the outside, which can allow carbon monoxide to enter the home. This should be evaluated by a licensed HVAC or plumbing professional promptly. The water heater was also missing its drain pan, showed galvanic reaction at a fitting, and had a missing or inaccessible gas/water valve. Separately, the dryer vent was found using improper vent material, flexible foil or plastic ducting is a known fire hazard compared to rigid metal venting, since lint can accumulate and ignite more easily. The gas line also had an outdated gas valve worth having evaluated.
Stairways and Railings
Both the exterior rear stairwell and the interior stairway had safety findings. Outside, the handrails were not graspable/missing and the handrails/guards were loose. Inside, the stairway had loose railings, baluster spacing that's too large, a climbable baluster design (which lets young children climb the railing like a ladder), and handrail/baluster height that doesn't meet standard guidelines. Together, these are worth a full review and correction by a qualified contractor, especially in a home with children.
Electrical
The electrical service entrance was missing a drip loop and the grounding rod was not visible or installed, both should be corrected by a licensed electrician. GFCI receptacles are required in several locations, including specifically in the crawl space, and a junction box was found with its cover missing. Non-working switches and poorly supported wiring were noted in the crawl space. Connected fixtures had exposed or missing bulbs and covers. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were missing, over 10 years old, or had an old/defective/missing cover, all worth replacing as a set.
Trip Hazards
Both the walkway and the driveway showed sinking sections that create a trip hazard, and a transition strip is recommended at one interior flooring change to address another trip point. These are straightforward to correct but worth addressing before move-in.
Garage
The garage door was not reversing under pressure, an important safety feature that should be repaired immediately, since a malfunctioning auto-reverse can cause serious injury. The garage also had concrete settlement cracks, spalling concrete floor, no dedicated outlet, and some damaged walls/siding/sheathing/roof area.
Roof and Attic
The roof showed damaged or missing shingles, granule loss consistent with age, a sag (garage roof), and a cracked chimney flue and crown. Attic ventilation was found insufficient, with ambering present (a sign of past or ongoing heat/moisture issues), baffles not visible, and higher-than-expected attic temperatures, all worth having evaluated together, since poor ventilation shortens roof life and can contribute to ice damming in winter. Flashing at roof penetrations was improper in places.
Kitchen, Interior, and Bathroom
The oven was not heating up and the range hood/microwave light was not operational, both recommended for repair. Multiple window deficiencies were noted, along with several interior doors needing deadbolts or keyless locks for security, a door rubbing on the floor/frame, and a missing door. In the bathroom, the toilet bowl was loose, the shower had poor drainage, the bathtub spout wasn't secure, and the sink vanity was cracked.
Structural and Foundation
The foundation/crawlspace area showed efflorescence (a white mineral deposit indicating past moisture movement through concrete), microbial growth, water intrusion stains, and improper structural support construction, this last item in particular is worth a closer look by a structural professional. Radon testing is also recommended, standard practice for this area given the foundation type. Missing insulation was noted on the vapor retarder/flooring system.
Heating and Cooling
The heating system's evaporator coil enclosure showed corrosion and a leak, and ductwork was found missing insulation. The AC condenser is an older unit, and while the system was tested and functioning, regular maintenance and a tune-up is recommended, along with insulating the non-insulated ductwork.
Overall
With 72 items inspected and 86 total findings across nearly every system, this home needs a meaningful amount of attention. The water heater backdrafting, dryer vent material, and stairway/railing issues are the priority items for safety before move-in, with the electrical service entrance and garage door auto-reverse close behind.
