Information from HOUSING Human Environmental Repair Sciences Inspection and Extension ᮢ ᮢ Specifications ᮢ Atiya Mahmood, Extension State Specialist; Rebecca Blocker, Extension Regional Specialist; and Randall Griffith, Rural Housing Specialist, USDA, Rural Development

his guide can help you identify ✔ Exposed wood trim, drips, fascias, tar for flashing purposes.) Tbasic repair and maintenance prob- etc., have to be covered with vinyl or ✔ Install new metal drip edging at all lems in your or a prospective metal to match new vinyl siding color. edges of the . house. It is not exhaustive, but gives ✔ Existing soffits have to be repaired ✔ Install new shingles per manufactur- you preliminary inspection information to provide adequate backer for new er’s installation instructions. and basic suggestions for home repairs soffit material and new prefinished ✔ Contractor has to provide home that are part of good home mainte- steel ventilated soffits have to be owner with copy of installation nance. If this preliminary inspection installed. instructions. shows potential problems, you should ✔ All installation of vinyl siding will be ✔ All debris generated by re-roofing to consider hiring a professional inspector per the manufacturer’s installation be removed from premises. to do a detailed house inspection. instructions. A checklist on the next page can ✔ Contractor is required to provide 3. Repair of electrical system help you determine what repairs are home owner with copy of installation ✔ Contractor will repair service needed. The following specifications instructions. entrance, power panel(s), wiring, fix- can guide you as you contract to have ✔ Warranty to be provided by vinyl tures, etc., to eliminate electrical work done. (Changes made as speci- manufacturer. hazards from the existing dwelling. fied will help the house meet Depart- ✔ Knob and tube wiring and all other ment of Economic Development and 2. Installation of new roof damaged wiring shall be replaced Rural Development guidelines.) ✔ Contractor is required to install new with new, minimum 12-gauge copper 20-year shingles to entire roof. conductors. Suggested specifications for ✔ If more than two layers of shingles ✔ All junctions shall be in covered contracting for home repair are on the existing roof, all existing junction boxes, exposed wiring to be 1. Re-siding a house shingles have to be removed. protected from physical damage, ✔ Vinyl siding is recommended. ✔ Contractor will repair all damaged and AC/DC smoke detectors shall ✔ Contractor will re-secure all existing existing roof sheathing with exterior be installed per the latest CABO or 7 siding that is in stable condition. ⁄16” plywood or oxboard w/ plyclips, equivalent code. ✔ Siding that is unstable has to be apply one layer of 15-pound felt if ✔ New wiring needs to meet the cur- removed and replaced with a ply- slope is over 4/12, or two layers of rent N.E.C. (electrical code). wood backer. 15-pound felt if less than 4/12 slope. ✔ If updating, use 100-200 amp. box ✔ Contractor will install new 42 mil. ✔ If slope is less than 3/12, roll roofing per electrician’s recommendation. vinyl siding to all of the dwellings should be considered. exterior. ✔ Contractor will re-flash at all roof 4. Repair of existing ✔ Contractor to install new vinyl trim penetrations with metal flashing. supply lines throughout exterior as required for Metal flashing to be let into masonry ✔ Galvanized, corroded, compressed proper installation of new vinyl siding. mortar joints. (Do not use caulk or or damaged supply lines are to be

Published by MU Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia GH 5984 ᮣ removed and new supply lines 7. Insulation of forced air heating system. installed. ✔ joists and band joists of the ✔ Contractor required to provide heat ✔ All new supply lines required to be crawl space required to be insulated loss calculations to homeowner copper or Schedule 40 CPVC. with R-19 unfaced fiberglass insula- showing the proper size heating ✔ Contractor will make provisions to tion and secured in place with wire plant to be installed. install air chambers to eliminate lightning rods at 48 inches. ✔ New shall be protected from water hammer. ✔ Crawl space floor required to be the elements and installed with all ✔ All plumbing required to be ade- covered with minimum 6 mil. poly, necessary clearances, electrical, quately secured. lapped 6 inches and turned up 6 venting, supply and return ducts, ✔ All damaged, corroded, dripping or inches on the and plumbing thermostat, etc., as inadequate plumbing fixtures and secured. required to provide adequate heat- appliances have to be replaced. ✔ Ductwork and water supply lines in ing (and cooling, if applicable) to ✔ New plumbing installations shall be crawl space to be insulated. each individual . per the latest CABO code. ✔ Proper ventilation of crawl space ✔ All ductwork in unconditioned must be provided. spaces required to be insulated, all 5. Repair of existing plumbing drain, ductwork shall be adequately waste and vent lines 8. Weatherization secured and all new work shall com- ✔ Contractor required to replace all ✔ Contractor required to caulk all exte- ply with the latest CABO code. inadequate, corroded or damaged rior and casings, seal ✔ All gas supply lines need to be DWV lines. all top sashes of double hung win- checked by a qualified serviceman. ✔ New DWV lines need to be Sched- dows, seal around all exterior ✔ All debris generated by this installa- ule 40 PVC and installed per the lat- penetrations, and apply new weath- tion shall be removed from this site est CABO Code. er-stripping to all exterior . by contractor. ✔ All penetrations through the roof to ✔ Single pane need to be be with integral flashing or metal covered with a new aluminum com- 11. Painting house surfaces flashing. (Do not use caulk or tar for bination storms window unit with ✔ Contractor required to clean and pre- flashing purposes.) screens. pare the surfaces to be painted by the paint manufacturer’s instructions. 6. Installation of insulation 9. Regrading site ✔ Acrylic primer needs to be used to ✔ Contractor required to install attic ✔ Contractor will add top soil as prime all bare wood. insulation to minimum R-30 (10 required to provide a minimum of 6 ✔ Brush and/or roller application is inches) over entire attic area. inches of fall in the first 10 feet away recommended (no spraying). ✔ Unfaced insulation or blown-in will from the dwelling. ✔ Metal primer should be rust-inhibit- be used if applying over existing ✔ Minimum 6 inches of foundation ing type. insulation. required to be exposed (no soil with- ✔ Paint required to have a 10-year ✔ Insulation required to be installed in in 6 inches of the siding). warranty, minimum. an even layer and provisions shall ✔ New top soil to be raked smooth, ✔ Semi-gloss finish, enamel or equal be made to provide minimum 1 sq. seeded and mulched. needs to be done. inch ventilation per 1 sq. foot of attic ✔ If necessary contractor shall provide ✔ Application shall be such that drips, area. (Minimum 20 percent of venti- fall from the foundation to a minimum spatters, flaws, streaking, shadowing lation shall be from the soffit area 4-foot wide swale that will divert or other types of inferior workman- and not more than 80 percent near water away from the foundation. ship does not occur. the ridge). ✔ Swale to be raked smooth, seeded For pre-1978 , there should ✔ A power vent could be used as an and mulched. be an assessment of the lead content option. in the paint. Please contact the Depart- ✔ Contractor needs to assure that 10. Installation of new heating sys- ment of Health at (573) 751-6400 for insulation does not restrict air flow tem recommended procedures and a list of for soffit ventilation. (Install proper ✔ Contractor required to remove exist- certified contractors. vents at every other rafter.) ing heating plant and install new

2 Human Environmental Sciences Extension Inspection Checklist for Home Repair

FOUNDATIONS AND Spring Fall Annual Spring Fall Annual Inspect for signs of termites and for wood decay. ✔ Check for wear, damage, evenness and sponginess. Check ✔ particularly where one floor material joins another (e.g., ✔ Check grading to assure that water will drain away from wood to carpet). house; check closeness of trees to foundation for problems from roots. Evaluate for replacement or refinish. ✔ Check and crawl space for dampness and leakage ✔ Check for handrails on . Make sure they are properly ✔ following wet weather. attached. Check driveways and walks for cracks, settling and soil ✔ erosion. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Clean area wells, window sills and storm drains. ✔ Check areas where wiring is exposed, and replace at first ✔ ✔ sign of damage.

DOORS AND WINDOWS If fuses blow or breakers trip frequently, electrician should ✔ ✔ be contacted to determine cause and make necessary ✔ Check doors, windows and trim for finish failure or rotted repairs. wood. Check condition of cords and extension cords to all appli- ✔ ✔ ✔ Check for broken glass, damaged screens. Clean screens. ances. ✔ Check glazed openings for loose putty. Check smoke detectors. ✔ ✔ Check hardware and lubricate moving parts. ✔ Check weatherstripping for damage and tightness of fit. ✔ HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS Check joints and caulk. Have entire system (including gas lines) checked by quali- ✔ ✔ Check caulking at doors, windows, and all openings and ✔ fied service person. joints between different materials (such as brick). Clean, service or replace filters, humidifiers and dehumid- ✔ ✔ ifiers. EXTERIOR WALLS Unvented gas heaters need to have proper ventilation. ✔ Check masonry for cracks and loose joints. ✔ Have a qualified service person check. ✔ Check painted surfaces for paint failure (pre-1978 ✔ Remove window air conditioners in winter. with cracked or peeling paint on window sills, walls or trim should be referred to Dept. of Health for list of lead inspectors). PLUMBING SYSTEM Check siding and trim for damage and decay. ✔ Check faucets, hose bibbs, valve stools, sinks and water ✔ ✔ Check trim for tightness of fit at joints and caulk. ✔ ✔ heater for leakage or corrosion. Have service person check septic system. ✔ ROOF Check gas lines and make sure no material around water ✔ ✔ Check for damaged or loose shingles, blisters, roofing ✔ heater is blocking air flow.

sponginess, etc. Check to see that water heater vent is not obstructed. ✔ Check underside of roof where accessible for water stains ✔ or dampness. INSULATION Check for damage or if paint is needed on gutters, down- ✔ ✔ insulation should be an R-30 or approximately 10 ✔ spouts, hangers, strainers and splash blocks. inches deep. Clean gutter strainers, gutters, downspouts, splash blocks. ✔ ✔ Check attic for proper ventilation at soffits and gable to ✔ Evaluate roof for future replacement. ✔ assure air flow.

Check fascias and soffits for paint failure and decay. Assure ✔ Wall insulation should be a minimum of R-13 or 3.5 in. ✔ that vents are open and properly vented. Floor insulation should be a minimum of R-13 or 3.5 in. ✔ Check masonry chimneys for cracks (inside and outside) ✔ and for obstructions.

INTERIOR SURFACES Adapted from Home Maintenance Checklist in Maintaining the Home, Council Notes, 14 (3), Research Council, University ✔ Check all painted and natural finished surfaces for dirt, of Illinois, 1995. finish failure, and for needed repairs (pre-1978 homes with cracked or peeling paint on window sills, walls or trim should be referred to the Dept. of Health for a list of lead inspectors). Check all joints in ceramic tile, laminated plastic and simi- ✔ ✔ lar surfaces. Check caulking around sinks, bathtubs and showers.

University of Missouri-Columbia 3 Construction Terms

Chimney 1. Flue liner 2. cap 3. Chimney 4. Chimney flashing

Roof 5. Roofing 6. Ridge board 7. Ridge vent 8. Roof sheathing 9. Rafters 10.Collar beam 11.Gutter 12.Downspouts 13.Flat or built-up roof

Walls 14.Soffit 15.Corner post 16.Beveled siding or clapboards 17.Bearing wall 18.Sheathing 19.Studs 20.Wall insulation 21.Drywall 22.Plates

Floors and 23.Ceiling insulation 24.Joists 41.Footing 25.Girder Foundation/basement 42.Sill plate 26.Bridging 33.Post 43.Finished grade line 27.Finish flooring 34.Plinthblock 44.Crawl space 28.Subflooring 35.Basement floor slap 45.Basement window 36.Area or window well Windows and doors 37.Backfill Illustration reprinted with permission of John 29.Window sash 38.Gravel fill 30.Window frame Merrill, University of Wisconsin Cooperative 39.Foundation wall Extension publication B3412, Home 31.Header or lintel 40.Footing drain tile Inspection Guide. 32.Window casing

References and additional cil Notes, 14 (3), Building Research For more information, contact your reading Council, University of Illinois. local University Outreach and Exten- Merrill, J. 1987. Home Inspection 1998. Home Energy Checklist. MU sion office; Missouri Rural Opportuni- Guide. Publication number B3412. Uni- Extension publication number GH5983. ties Council (573) 751-1238; USDA versity of Wisconsin Cooperative Exten- Peart, V. How to Make Your Home (573) 876-0990; or Missouri Depart- sion. Last Longer. University of Florida Coop- ment of Economic Development 1995. Maintaining the Home. Coun- erative Extension factsheet HE3237. (573) 751-4146.

This MU Extension publication is made possible by funding and cooperation of the following organizations:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Missouri Rural Opportunities Council Rural Development Rural Housing Service DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The above sponsoring organizations do not accept responsibility of anything that happens on/to a property if these recommendations are followed. They are provided for guidance only and do not provide any guarantees.

■ Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department OUTREACH & EXTENSION of Agriculture. Ronald J. Turner, Director, Cooperative Extension, University of Missouri and Lincoln University, Columbia, MO 65211. ■ University Outreach and Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ■ COLUMBIA as a Vietnam era veteran in employment or programs. If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need this publication in an alternative format, write ADA Officer, Extension and Agricultural Information, 1-98 Agriculture Building, Columbia, MO 65211, or call (573) 882-7216. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs. GH 5984 New 1/99/5M