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What's Wrong With This Picture? Electrical Condition

By
Home Inspector with U.S. Inspect, LLC

Answer: "Just didn't have time or tools to do it right."

The outlet you are looking at is near an existing outdoor spa. It's too large to fit into the visible junction box.

To make the arrangement “safe”, the installer protected the setup with a lot of electrician’s tape! The inspector who stumbled across this alteration also noted it was not GFCI protected.

“Sometimes ya’ just gotta’ wonder what they were thinking.”, was the response.

Thank you Jerry Arnold, from our Houston, TX area inspection team for this submission!

(Posted on U.S. Inspect Blog)

Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

What a mess... It looks like a great do it yourself tyope of job, to make things worse it is outside open to the elements, is ure hope they didnt havbe pets or kids who could get an unwanted zap.

Jul 15, 2011 02:36 AM
Kathy Toth
Ann Arbor Market Center Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts - Kathy Toth Team

OK, looks like this will get fixed if this house is for sale.  At least I hope so.  FHA  will flag it.

Jul 15, 2011 02:36 AM
Bonnie Jean Hart
Home Smart Professionals-La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Indio, CA - Indio, CA
Bonnie J. Hart - 25+ yrs Exp - Real Estate - L

Unbelievable what some people will do to save a buck!

Jul 15, 2011 02:51 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

William, That is a disaster waiting to happen!  Wow!

Jul 15, 2011 05:12 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Oh my goodness!  I foresee spa dwellers being transformed into French Fries:-(  Water and electricity aren't a good mix!

Jul 15, 2011 02:16 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Bill, when I see things like this, my spidey sense tingles, and I am on high alert for other issues and many possible ones I do not notice...

Jul 16, 2011 04:41 AM
Digital Digital
Alachua, FL
full service

Hi,
Thanks for sharing.
Was this really to save money?
Let's hope the cost to mend doesn't exceed the perceived money saved.

Jul 16, 2011 04:56 AM
Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker
Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX
Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

Looks like a typical homeowner who has no clue doing things they should never have even thought about doing.  That's extraordinarily dangerous.

Jul 16, 2011 06:31 AM