Bahamian-born Jacques Christofilis has over 25 years of experience in the gamut of commercial building and residential construction trades and 10 years specifically in the inspection industry.
Mr. Christofilis received his training and experience in Southern California with Sherlock Home Inspections and American Building Inspectors. He has personally inspected hundreds of homes of all sizes, styles and asking prices for the top real estate companies and their clients in the Los Angeles and South Bay areas.
He returned to Nassau several years ago and founded Dunright Building Inspections.
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Improper surface grading and drainage. By far the most frequent problem, it is responsible to water penetration into the basement or crawlspace, as well as pooling of rainwater on the exterior of the structure, causing moisture damage to the foundation.
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Electrical safety hazards, especially in older homes, such as improper or amateur electrical wiring, insufficient electrical service and inadequate overload protection. Examples include ungrounded outlets, lack of ground fault interrupters and incorrect wiring to electrical panels, often due to additions or alterations by persons other than qualified electricians.
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Roof damage or defects in roofing material. A frequent problem and likely to be found in a majority of homes due to aging, harsh elements, poor drainage, improper flashing or substandard installation. This does not mean that most roofs require replacement, but rather that they could use some type of maintenance or repair to extend the life expectancy of the roof.
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Poor overall maintenance. A common situation with almost all homeowners. Signs of poor maintenance include: peeling and blistering paint, structural settling cracks inside and outside, rotted or moisture-damaged wood, broken window panes, windows, doors and locks that don’t function properly, uneven surfaces such as driveways, walkways and patios that become potential trip hazards, missing roofing materials, inoperative light fixtures and unprotected plastic pipe subject to wear or damage.
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Ceiling stains, indicating past or current roof leaks. It is hard to determine if the roof still leaks unless inspected on a rainy day, however testing with a specialized moisture-meter can help determine if a leak is active or passive. Some stains are merely the residual effects of roof problems that have been repaired, while others could be related to leaky plumbing.
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Rotted wood at building exteriors and around various plumbing fixtures. In areas where wood remains wet for long periods, e.g. roof eaves, exterior trim, decks, around tubs and showers or below loose toilets, fungus infection is likely to attack, resulting in a condition known as dry rot. If left unchecked, damage can be quite extensive.
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Building code violations where additions or alterations were constructed without permits. Often homeowners insist that, although they made add-ons or had construction or remodeling done on their home without a permit, it was all done to code. This is a red flag to an inspector, because the average person, even with some construction knowledge, could not possibly know the entire building code. Whenever such assurances are made, problems are likely to be found.
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Hazardous conditions involving gas tanks and appliances. Most gas-fueled appliances are in need of some maintenance, if only a long-overdue review by a licensed liquid petroleum technician. In some cases, however, gas tanks, lines, valves and/or appliances contain life-threatening defects that can remain undiscovered by the average homeowner until it is too late. These can range from fire safety violations to the venting of carbon monoxide into the building, both of which can result in tragic consequences.
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Unsafe fireplace and chimney conditions. Problems with wood-burning fixtures can range from lack of regular maintenance and cleaning to faulty installation. Most common are missing spark arresters and dangerous placement of free-standing fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, which are typically installed by homeowners themselves or handymen, without adequate knowledge of fire safety requirements. Common violations involve insufficient clearance and combustible materials in an enclosed space, which often remain undiscovered until a fire occurs.
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Faulty installation of water heaters. Less than 5% of all water heaters are installed in full compliance with plumbing code requirements for safety. Inadequate strapping, improperly installed overflow piping, unsafe flue conditions and defective or corroded gas piping are all regularly noted. In addition, today’s water heaters are designed with a shorter life expectancy than previously and leaks can develop in units only five years old.
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Firewall violations in garages. Special fire-resistant construction is required for walls and doors that separate a garage from a dwelling. Common violations are due to faulty or inferior construction, damage or alterations to the garage interior or changes in code requirements since the home was built
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Minor plumbing defects such as leaks, dripping faucets, running or backed-up toilets, clogged sinks, missing stoppers and blocked or corroded water supply pipes commonly occur in most homes at some point. Although these are noted, they are seldom a major cause of concern and can generally be repaired fairly easily by a licensed plumber.
*Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty is not affiliated with the above individual or company and assumes no legal responsibility for any professional opinion or action that may arise or result from their work.
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