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Go ahead---turn me on!

Sometimes we have those “light-bulb” moments in our lives where something just “clicks” and we understand things in a way that we just could not grasp them previously.

The “mechanisms” for these moments are not well understood, and yet sometimes it is actually hard to understand how we could possibly miss some of the details around us.

We have all had these moments haven’t we?

The other day, something came up on the inspection that got me to thinking about this. The problem I have with the issue that I found is: 1. how could the original installer NOT have had a light bulb-moment about it; and 2. why would everyone put up with it for 27 years?

Charles Buell

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Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 10/27/2009 01:20 PM

Comments (29)

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Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: Go ahead---turn me on!

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29 Comments on Go ahead---turn me on!

OCT

I guess you could reach in there with a stick and "flip the switch!!!"

Charles,

Wow! That light switch is in such an awkward spot. I would have never put up with it for so long! What were they thinking....

I hope you'll remember me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC" and I will do the same!

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

Some people just have more important things to worry about!

that is pretty hilarious, Charlie! Why would anyone put up with that for 27 years?????? Crazy!

Ingenious! LOL. Maybe that saves some energy... in the long run... ~Rita

Yep, definately a light bulb moment, obviously not the brightest lightbulb. How awkward is that?

BTW- thanks for responding to my email earlier. I still do not have a good explanation as to what that is, but someone is suppose to send me a picture. I'll be sure to forward it on to ya.

Edward, maybe we could hang a stick on the door jamb to work the switch with

Michael, most likely someone was NOT thinking

Heather---too true

Courtney---does seem odd doesn't it?

Rita, now I never thought about it as an energy saving "feature":)

Jan---you are welcome----looking forward to the picture:)

Charles - That is truly bad placement. It needs a switch extender. :)

Brings to mind my husband's fingers getting pinched (he uses a stronger word) by his wife (that would be me) in a door once. I guarantee you Steve would NEVER reach in to switch that light if I were near.

Everyone has missed the point. This house was obviously built for someone with very long fingers. Imagine what it would be like if every switch was too close. You'd have to stand way back to turn on the lights!

LOL- I showed a home once where the dishwasher and the oven were corner to corner and one had to be closed for the other to be open. I don't know why people "accept" things they "can" change when they need to be changed.

Laughing at Jason's comment!

This is great post and I am amazed at the things people ignore or tolerate for years. Now let's see, if you ask my wife she could probably name a couple in our house! OOPS!

To answer your question, because no one gave them a round tuit?

Jason---it sure needs something

Kate, doors and fingers have a long history

David good point----I think

Tammy, you need one of those combination oven/washers:)

Russell---this is just one of many of this sort of thing

Jay, I was given a "round-tuit" once----a brass washer with the words "round-tuit" stamped on it. I gave it to the next person that said they would do something when they got "around to it"

That must be one of the mysteries of the home inspector, home owners adapt very well over 27 years...
I hope you're having a great week,
Paul

Mr Charles,

I would have no problem flipping that switch. What is your problem.

Nutsy

After 9 years my wife's girlfriend never moved her TV to "the other corner" of her family room because there was no cable TV outlet there. I ran a cable between the sub-floor and the a/c duct work and viola; her TV could now be placed in the other corner!!!

Paul, they seem to

Nutsy you are flipped alright

Lewis, it is the little things that make life easier sometimes----like a refrigerator door that swings the wrong way when it can be easily reversed.

I see quite a few of the switches put in awkward places. I think it may be done by the builders who come out of the woodwork when times are good and throw up houses without thinking. I also don't like the money-saving thing of having switches that have to be turned back on where they were turned off even if there is another switch on the opposite side of the room. Did I describe this right?

Barbara, are you talking about where the switches have been wired wrong and don't function from both sides unless one of them is in a particular position?

OCT

Charlie B, Some folks are just not too bright when it come to common ¢'s. They correlate it to that change pot next to the register in the jiffy mart...

Helping you live your American dream...

Charlie - I have never seen a brass one! The fabled brass ring! I usually cut one out of paper and give it to people when they say they have a project to do.

It's just a conflict between the trades. The electrician places an outlet. The door installer comes along and installs an opposite hand door for one reason or another without bothering to notice the layout of the electrical.

Easier to change the door than to change the switch location!

Hey that's nothing. My fridge door can't open all the way -- I can't get into the lower crisper, can't open the drawer. The door always hits the kitchen counter that's too close! I'd rather have the inaccessible light switch, then the fridge door not fully swinging out. But the light switch is a way CHEAPER fix! :Food for thought:

Michael, it seems like it

Jay, I hated parting with the one I had----I often wonder how many people it has cycle through

Erby, perhaps

Carla, that has to make cleaning that drawer fun----then again maybe it never gets dirty:)

Charlie - When our house was being built the electrician arrnged to meet me first to discuss where I wanted him to install the light switches. Even though I had choices it's 10 years later and I am still confused about which switch is which. Nothing like that picture though!

It's amazing how many light switches actually are behind the door! I think Erby figured it out..two installers each doing their thing without thinking it through.

Carol---there is usually a "logic" to placement----but some locations defy logic:)

Leslie---or perhaps remodeling later with the door installed wrong.

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