Is the walkway that leads visitors to your front door “welcoming” or is it a law suit waiting to happen? Homeowners love to get “creative” when it comes to making decorative walkways and patios. What they often forget is to think about the safety of these surfaces. Combinations of interesting looking materials can result in conditions that could lead to trips and falls----especially when trying to negotiate the walkway in the dark. Ones first impression of the walkway in the picture below is, “Wow----that is cool!” Well at least that is what I thought, when I saw it in the listing photos and couldn’t see the all important details. When faced with the task of actually using the walkway, one can imagine it might be better to have no walkway at all. Walkways should be without uneven surfaces----and should not have trip hazards. When it comes to creating safe walkways, form should follow function----before entertaining notions more “artsy-fartsy.” Charles Buell Seattle Home Inspectors, Charles Buell Inspections Inc, Seattle, WA
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PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
Have a few too many and you might have a problem. Ornate, but hardly useable.
Charles... I have to agree. I could see someone walking up the walk with his attorney in tow all primed to 'See you in court'.
Terry, sounds about right
William---how about selling it to an attorney?
I agree the walk pictured would to tough to navigate but it is too bad we have to worry about attorneys when we are designing our yards.
Charles,
I'll leave the creative work to the landscapers. If I designed a walkway I'm sure I would end up in court. I can't imagine that I could create anything level or attractive. I have no green thumb.
Connie Lou
Bill, unfortunately it has become almost a matter of practicality to think about lawyers in everything we do:)
Connie----a nice green lawn might have been better
I agree, pretty but not very practical. I also agree that it's a shame to always have to worry about lawyers when it's supposed to be our property.
Charles, Looks like at least $50k after the lawyers get through with it...
Homeowner creativity rarely is functional or safe as we home inspectors know all too well.
I have an artsy fartsy walkway and I'm keeping it. Hopefully I can hide the bodies well if anyone falls down and wants to sue me.
Suesan---I guess it is ok if we don't invite anyone over:)
Paul, you are probably right
James---more job security
Tammy, pictures---we all want pictures-----more pictures please:)
You want the walkway or the bodies?
Well if you get the bodies won't the walkway be in the picture too?
Mr Charles,
It seems to me that you might be rather clumsy. The only fall I ever took was off a high-tension line during an earthquake, below. I think that all of your falling and flailing about might jaundice the impartiality of your reports. Perhaps you should try a belly-flop next time you take a tumble.
Nutsy Wallenda
Certifried Home Inspector Assistant
Charlie - Don't you think the person who had this installed might have had regrets from day one?
I think I'd just get off the walkway and take my chances off the walkway. It does look dangerous.
Hi Charles: A very good point about walkways - they should be function before they should be beautiful!
:)
Carol, I think maybe:)
I found myself walking on the railroad ties---balancing act:)
Matt, yuppers.
Hey Charles,
that walkway certainly does look a little dangerous, especially at nighttime!
Looks like y'll have the same creative folks up there that we have down here. Accidents waiting for a place to happen...
Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN
My wife pictures attempting that walkway with a handful of groceries.
No one can find the bodies, they are not near my walkway. And I'll show you the walk way just as soon as hubby gets the grass cut, I promise.
Tony---it was not well lighted either
Michael, again this sort of thing is universal
J, groceries, kids----or running to catch the mail man.
Tammy, I am waiting..........