This is how not to repair leaks in plumbing

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Photo of the Day - 14 January 2008

It really amazes me how inventive some home-owners can get especially when I comes to the trades. This one comes from page 25 "Plumbing Tips and Repairs for Dummies". I especially like the color coordination. I was a little disappointed though, I thought that they should have used a white coat hanger so things would match. Nevertheless, I had to give them a "C" for creativity.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.

Not too cool a wiring job

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Photo of the Day - 15 January 2008

After reading the book "Electrical Know How for Dummies", our unhandy home owner decided to throw the book out the window and really get creative. This is a classic example of how to electrocute yourself or burn your house down without really trying.  I had to give this homeowner a "F" for frightening.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.

Broken ductwork under house

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Photo of the Day - 16 January 2008

This is how not to have an energy efficient home. I see this more often than one would think. There were several sections of ductwork broken or disconnected under this house believe it or not. I often wonder if home owners wonder why some rooms are warmer or cooler than others. It would seem as if the rise in energy costs might be a hint that something might be wrong. I am sure that the cave crickets and other varmints living under the house enjoy the coziness. They can be comfy and not have to come into the house. H-m-m-m-m . . . Now that's an idea.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.

Door hardware installed backwards

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Photo of the Day - 19 January 2008

I see this more often than you would think especially in new construction inspections. Here the "tradesman" installed the door hardware backwards on the door. This door will never latch. In this new construction property, I got the opportunity to see this twice. Oh well. So much for QC.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.

Waste line run through ductwork

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Photo of the Day - 19 January 2008

Just when I thought that I had seen it all, it appears as if the unhandy homeowner comes up with a new wrinkle. Yes, the grey pipe at the lower section of the picture is a plumbing pipe run through the middle of the ductwork. At least he got the basic concept down right ... you know what runs down hill. I had to give him a grade of "E" for Effort.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.

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Photo of the Day - 01 February 2008

While doing the outside inspection of a property in the Nashville area, I saw this power vent opening on one side of the attic. I did not think that no one could be crazy enough to put a power vent next to a gable vent now could they? Wanting to give the home owner the benefit of the doubt, I waited to reserve judgment until I could get in and inspect the attic. I was really hoping that they would have had the common sense to block off the gable vent on this side.

Boy was I wrong! The problem here is that air will follow the path of lease resistance. The air will be pulled from the gable vent and out through the power vent. This will under vent the attic causing the roof covering to fail.

Home owners, 6 - Home inspectors, 0.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.

Downspout wrapped with duct tape

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Photo of the Day - 02 February 2008

While inspecting a property in the east section of Nashville the other day, I could not help but notice that some the downspouts were wrapped with duct tape to keep the joints together and to hold them "securely" to the side of the property. I had to give this ingenious home owner a "C" for color coordination. It sure beats the heck out of the typical silver that is so often used for all sorts of repairs around the home.

This post has also been contributed to the Active Rain social networking group.