Home Inspection Nightmares Xx

David Grudzinski Advantage Home Inspections Cranston, R.I. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Location, Location, Location

This is a pull-down ladder in a garage. A support post was added in the middle of the garage. Careful! The first step is a doozy! Rick A. Harrington Patch Independent Home Inspections, LLC Pickerington, Ohio All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Steam Trapped

I guess the homeowner wanted to move the radiator, but didn’t want to spend time or money relocating the pipe and had no concept of steam dynamics. This radiator must bang like the dickens. Maybe that’s why the valve was in the off position. Lawrence Ubell Accurate Building Inspectors Brooklyn, N.Y. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Shockingly Clean

This open shower is located within 3 feet of the main electrical panel. I suspect it gives “shockingly clean results.” Mark C. Serban Budget Home Inspections, LLC Carrollton, Ohio All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Over Circulated

Is this “guaranteed” air circulation? This register setup, with the intake for the air return right above the heat register, was found in a home with heating issues. No surprise there. Alvin C. Miller Hawkeye Home Inspections, LLC Wellman, Iowa All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

What’s Cooking?

Sometimes, my job is just creepy. I found these skeletal remains in a main electrical panel. The first thing I thought was: “Honey, why are the lights flickering? I don’t know, but what are you cooking?” David Gibson Glenco Property Inspections San Jose, Calif. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Dangerous Situation

The homeowner cut an air return vent into the furnace air return duct to draw the cold air out of the furnace room, but it is less than 24 inches from the open vent hood for the gas water heater. Carbon monoxide could easily be sucked into the air return and spread through the home. The tinfoil around the vent where it entered the chimney was also ineffective at the least. Charlie Rice Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspections Sykesville, Md. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

The Smell of Innovation

The furnace had a coffee can of potpourri sitting in it to sort of, maybe, perhaps, hide the odor. It was innovative, but did not work. Dan Howard Home Inspections by Dan Howard Freeport, Pa. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Got Milk (Crate)

The many uses of milk crates. David Grudzinski Advantage Home Inspections Cranston, R.I. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Tight Squeeze

Now, this is what I call an uncommon flue. How do you get two new vent flues from the basement to the roof? Just install them inside the old flue. Matt Koch House Smart Chamblee, Ga. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Bottled Water

New meaning to bottled water: baby jars hung under leaking pipes (100+-year-old house) with galvanized wire. Those old Yankees in New England never throw anything away and use everything. We won’t mention the electrical wiring, end-joist slippage or the main beam issues. Guy Occhino Sherman Home Inspections, Inc. Middlebough, Mass. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

It’s Just the Sewer Line

This bungee cord hanger was just long enough to hold up the 3-inch sewer line. Alvin C. Miller Hawkeye Home Inspections, LLC Wellman, Iowa All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Green Chimney

It’s always a good idea to keep your chimney well trimmed for good drafting of your boiler. Richard Madore Pillar to Post Home Inspection Newington, Conn. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Tricky Chimney

The chimney does not look too bad on the outside, but how about when seen from the inside? Travis Hoverter South Central Pa. Home Inspection Co., Inc. Chambersburg, Pa. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Hot Seat

Could not help but notice the “hot seat” next to the live power feed to the house while doing the roof inspection. The seller said he enjoyed partying on his rooftop escape. I wonder if he used the wires for his drink holder. Mitchell Rothenberg HomeTeam Inspection Service Tampa, Fla. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Safety Last

If you think this looks bad, you should have seen the rest of the house. Bob Shipp Professional Home Inspections, Inc. Stuarts Draft, Va. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Baby Steps

Here’s a set of stairs you don’t see every day. This one leads up to a loft office. Matthew Wynne Aberdeen Building Consulting Brightwaters, N.Y. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

1.5 Times the Crazy

I think you call this 1½ layers of shingles. Apparently, they only re-shingled the worst area. Neil Brogren A’N’B Home Inspections Gold Canyon, Ariz. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Spark of an Idea

Someone must have told the homeowner that when he disconnected the drain line from the dishwasher, he should “plug” the opening in the disposal. So, he used a spark plug, of course. Steve Butzer HomeSpec Inspection Services, LLC Scottsdale, Ariz. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Call in the Snake Charmer

“To inspect dryer vent, call in a professional.” And yes, that is a live snake! Joe and Nancy Janosz Pro-Team Property Inspections Wesley Chapel, Fla. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Having it All

The homeowner wanted a shower in a half-bath, but didn’t want to cut the concrete slab and add the drain. Next best thing? Build the shower around the toilet. Brodie Brown Browntree Inspections Marietta, Ga. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

A-maze-ing

I have seen many pool pump systems, but this one can make you dizzy trying to figure out which way the water is flowing. I hope the pump doesn’t have to be changed anytime soon. The only access is to remove the connected maze of pipes. Barry M. Wong Building Specs Hawaii, LLC Kailua, Hawaii All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Physics Problem

It is physically impossible for the buyer to get through that scuttle hole. Brandon Dyles Picture Perfect Inspections Bartlett, Tenn. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Unsatisfactory

Among other things, the water heater exhaust pipe is supposed to slope upward toward the chimney and it must be well clear of those combustible wood studs and secured together with screws, not tape. Some people are never satisfied! Larry Wasson Affiliated Inspectors, Inc. Chevy Chase, Md. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Drive Right In…I Mean, Up and Over

“Babe, I think we are going to need to trade in the minivan for a 4x4.” Max Curtis MaxInspect Livermore, Calif. All images courtesy of the ASHI Reporter