GetAPro LLC
This townhome inspection in Glendale Heights, IL covered 61 individual items across the exterior, roof, kitchen, interiors, bathroom, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, and structural components. The findings included 4 safety hazards, 19 recommended repairs, and 10 maintenance items, with windows, exterior tuckpointing, and roof/chimney drainage making up the bulk of the list.
Windows
Windows were the most notable safety item in this inspection. One window was flagged with a general safety issue, and both the lower and upper sash on another window weren't operating properly, worth checking closely since difficulty opening a window can be a real problem if it's ever needed as an emergency exit. A separate window's lock strike was broken, a security concern worth fixing, and the windows generally had some cosmetic wear. The weatherstripping on one window was also loose, a minor energy-efficiency item.
Walkway and Drainage/Grading
A walkway was flagged as a tripping hazard and should be corrected. Around the foundation, standing water was noted, plantings were growing too close to the foundation, and the soil grade in one area is above the foundation level. All three point toward water being directed toward the house instead of away from it, worth regrading and clearing plantings back to keep moisture away from the foundation long-term.
Exterior, Trim, and Soffit/Fascia
The brick exterior has some loose mortar that should be tuckpointed, and a concrete door sill was found cracked. Elsewhere on the exterior, there are open penetrations that should be sealed, missing flashing or trim in places, and caulk and paint are needed generally, including at the exterior light fixtures. The fascia and soffit metal covers are missing, loose, or damaged in places, with some additional open penetrations at the soffit and fascia, worth addressing together as part of the same exterior maintenance pass to keep moisture out of the wall and roof assembly.
Roof and Chimney
The roof covering showed some granule loss, and a section of rolled roofing had loose seams, both worth monitoring. The chimney has loose mortar and bricks and a cracked crown, both should be repaired to keep water from getting into the chimney structure, and the chimney cap is missing entirely, leaving the flue open to rain and debris. A vent was also found with improper termination. The drainage system needs some attention too: downspout extensions are missing or damaged, and gutters are missing in one section.
Electrical Panel
The electrical panel had double-tapped breakers, two conductors landed on a terminal designed for just one, which can cause a loose connection and overheating, worth having a licensed electrician correct. The panel was also improperly labeled and could use a duct seal, both straightforward fixes.
Structural and Interiors
The floor structure showed evidence of past water intrusion or damage, worth a closer look to confirm the source has been addressed and there's no ongoing issue, and a concrete slab was found cracked. Interior findings were otherwise minor and cosmetic: some wear on the ceilings and on the walls and trim.
HVAC
The AC's distribution ducts are partially or completely uninsulated in some sections, which reduces cooling efficiency and can lead to condensation on the ductwork in humid weather, worth insulating fully.
Overall
With 61 items inspected, the two window safety issues and the electrical panel's double-tapped breakers are the priority items here, both relatively straightforward for a window technician and a licensed electrician to address. The exterior tuckpointing, missing chimney cap, and drainage/grading issues around the foundation are the next tier worth budgeting for, since left alone they tend to compound into larger moisture problems over time.
