TOPIC: Inspection Question On New House

I just did an inspection on a new house and had a couple of questions I hope someone can answer.

1)  I didn't see any valley flashing and wanted to see what you guys would recommend I say in my report.

2)  I noticed in both bathrooms a GFCI looking switch without outlets.  Do you know what these are for?  I didn't touch them as I didn't know what they went to. 

3)  The house had a high efficiency furnace and the combustion air inlet was located in the attic.  Is this okay or should it go to the exterior?  The ones I have seen before extend to the outside.

4)  The TPR drain is (damn it I didn't look at the pipe material) red plastic piping.  Is this okay?

I've got tons of other pics if you need to see any others.

Oh I almost forgot about the window flashing.

Hi guys:

The roof valleys are of a weave design usually 4 layers of shingles I don't say anything about it.
Should be fine.

GFCI is likely for a Whirlpool  tub sauna or steam room.  Was there one of those in the bathrooms?  I usually fill the tub above the jets turn it on and then push the test button to make sure the tub is protected.

Furnace intake is usually outside here as well, but this should be ok as long as the intake does not become obstructed.  Furnace will shut down if it does.

Red plastic TPR drain should not matter as long as it ends six inches above floor.

Window looks fine.

Did you suggest gutters?

Hope this helps

Cheers

Hi guys:

The roof valleys are of a weave design usually 4 layers of shingles I don't say anything about it.
Should be fine.

GFCI is likely for a Whirlpool  tub sauna or steam room.  Was there one of those in the bathrooms?  I usually fill the tub above the jets turn it on and then push the test button to make sure the tub is protected.

Furnace intake is usually outside here as well, but this should be ok as long as the intake does not become obstructed.  Furnace will shut down if it does.

Red plastic TPR drain should not matter as long as it ends six inches above floor.

Window looks fine.

Did you suggest gutters?

Hope this helps

Cheers

Most valley here are done in the weave design but still have metal flashing underneath.  I mentioned to them I would like to have seen this but thought it was okay. 

As for the GFCI, no they didn't have a whirlpool, but while I was getting up this morning I had a thought.  I would be willing to bet those go the fart fan for each bathroom.

I also told them I would have liked to seen the furnace intake extend outside but thought it would be okay in the attic.

As for the TPR drain, here is a pic,  I don't like this set up and see it quite often.  They do have an air break but if the drain backs up....  You know the rest.

Was the window beneath an overhang (soffit)?

Never saw a switch like that - what did it control?

Roof looks ok.

Furnace intake may be OK in there - check manufacturers instructions.  Will be a problem if it gets clogged.

TPR can't be plastic, here, in Illinois.  The problem isn't with the drain backing up - it's if the HO knows if the TPRV discharges.  Air gap should prevent contamination of potable water.

Was the window beneath an overhang (soffit)?

Never saw a switch like that - what did it control?

Roof looks ok.

Furnace intake may be OK in there - check manufacturers instructions.  Will be a problem if it gets clogged.

TPR can't be plastic, here, in Illinois.  The problem isn't with the drain backing up - it's if the HO knows if the TPRV discharges.  Air gap should prevent contamination of potable water.

Yes the window was underneath a soffit.  I told buyer it may be okay because of that but to watch for water penetration in heavy rains.  As for the switch I did not test it because I had never seen it one before.  I put in the report to ask seller.  I think it may have gone to the exhaust fan.  Also for the HVAC intake, I noted it in the report and mentioned to keep clear of any debris.