I found something on today's inspection that I just couldn't wait to share. I think this takes the notion of "do-it-yourself" home repairs to a whole new level----like to the stars and beyond. "Occasionally" I will pull a switch plate cover for one reason or another----in this case to see if the wiring in this 60's vintage home had grounded type wiring----and perhaps the ground was not being used (but that is a topic for an upcoming blog). Previous to this I think one of the strangest light switches I had found was the bandaged switch I blogged about a while back.
But like I said----this one takes the cake. Typically the switch is held in place with two screws. Most switches have little Mickey Mouse ears---two at the top---two at the bottom that help to stabilize the switch on the wall surface. In this case the screws were missing and the four Mickey Mouse ears had these strange little white covered things at each ear. Can you guess what they are?
Yup----thumb tacks! UL Approved thumb tacks you think? Me thinks not.
Charles Buell
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Wow good picture. Makes you wonder what else might be repaired very shoddy also.
At least all the thumb tacks are color co-ordinated. It must have been a fun inspection.
Yep. That is pretty sad.
One of the funniest I've seen was a 200 AMP service box installed in the house that still had 100 AMP service.
First Class Electrical Work!
John, what do you mean----how could there be anything else "hidden?":)
Ellie, I guess the stagers will appreciate that:)
Lenn, yes, 200 amp disconnect on a 100 amp service would be bad juju:)
James, I think they better stick to posters:)
Charles, that is just funny stuff there. Come on, how much were those two little screws, the homeowner should have known better.
The real problem is that the Owner who did the work probably thought that his thumb tack tackle was a creative way to solve the problem, huh? I bet he's the same guy that thinks duct tape is a wonder solution to everything else! HA HA!
That takes do-it-yourself to a whole new level.I hope the home didn't have any major flaws.
Sheila, they most likely misplaced the screws when painting or changing the switch or something----and then opted for the better method:)
Ray, in general the house was pretty good---mostly deferred maintenace sorts of things.
What's wrong with thumbtacks if they match the paint job?
Lizette, but that is just it----you have hit the tack on the head----they don't match:)
Charlie,
That is a classic photo. Not seen that before. Seen strange wiring but not quite so temporary as that.
Charles,
That's wonderful creativity right there. People do come up with some amazing solutions to everyday problems. Some make more sense than others, though.
Hey, I bet if you ask the homeowner it was just temporary fix. He have not had the time to correct yet. Charles great photo.~ Newbie Roy
Steve, pretty tacky yes?
Esko, I think we all know where this installation falls:)
Barbara, is that blog fodder or a wodder heeder installation? (fixed your comment and it is now below this one:)
Roy---will we ever know for sure?
Charlie, you may be running out of blog fodder when you blog about thumb tacks so here's a delightful looking water heater for you to analyze.
Barbara, as far as issues goes. I see wires not properly protected from mechanical damage, maybe mold or some other funky condition under the washer drain, lots of ugliness, missing strapping on the water heater, and I hope you had lunch before you took the pictures:)
but did you go ahead and tap the one on the upper left back in before you put the cover on? cheryl
Cheryl, silly, I don't carry a hammer:)
Charles, I would have written up the upper left tack as being loose. Repair as necessary. Amazing what we find isn't it...
Just add a little glue and duct tape to make it a more "permanent" install. Tacky, tacky, tacky, tacky.
Charles, I think you are just jealous because you didn't think of it first. (LOL :))
All FOUR screws missing???? Um, from their heads, too, lol. Loved the "tacky" pun, Charles!
Margaret----"something" missing for sure
LOL _ that is hilarious and something I would do probably - I am the queen of thumb tacks according to my husband:)
Michael----good point:)
Kevin, you are probably right:)
Courtney, does he ever end up sitting on them?
Hi Charles, Too funny, Mickey Mouse thumb tack ears ! Wow, how creative - NOT !! God bless,
mmmmm, safety first
What, that's not proper? I never write up thumb-tacked switches...does that mean that toothpicks can't be used as nails?.............Oh man, I need to find another profession.....
Josh Frederick, Northwest Ohio Home Inspector
Cheryl, you don't like Mickey Mouse?
Ron, thanks for visiting
Josh, at least they used the old-fashioned flat kind instead of Push-pins that they would have had to drill holes in the cover for the cover to fit:)
Wow, it's amazing what some people will do. It's really scary, the things will turn up in an inspection.
Hi Charles, I've enjoyed reading your posts, they are informative & infused w/ humor. It made me laugh out loud when I ran my cursor over you smiley on this post, "Even this one;)"!
Cheryl, the things I find interesting are the things that I find through pure luck. We do not routinely remove cover plates. I know inspectors that would never remove one even if they had a reason to. It always leaves me wondering what we miss as inspectors. The inspector that claims to find all defects is clearly mistaken in my opinion:)
Cynthia, if I can keep you laughing----that is a good thing:)
Now that's funny! LMAO!
If the cover was on the switch you may of not found it.
Did you remove the cover on other switches to see if they where repaired the same.
Carol, sometimes it is very difficult not to burst into laughter in front of the buyer:)
Phillip, I didn't take off any more covers but I did warn my buyer that they might have a good supply of tacks in their future:)