Probably not, but when the wind blows the downspout will likely rattle a bit.

I can just imagine the light patterns flashing around the yard when it is windy and the light is turned on.
Of course it needs to be fixed. Sooner or later, the wires will fray and possibly short out. The frayed wires could also result in the gutter and downspout becoming energized. Energized gutters are never a good idea and will do nothing to keep the squirrels or rats off of them.
The aluminum ladder leaned against it from the ground could be a problem though for the unsuspecting person doing their annual gutter cleaning.
This is a pretty simple fix for the electrician---but a fix that should not be put off.
Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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34 Comments on Combination wind chime/light fixture?
What is so surprising about that defect is that the home owner didn't fix it prior to a home inspection.
I'll bet you use a fiberglass ladder too.
Mel
This one was obvious to the untrained eye. For everyone like this you see, there are probably 10 more similar problems, but ones that are much harder to spot!
Well, this home will not sell with FHA financing until the exposed wires are covered! FHA rules are a bit more rigid on the appraisal perspective than other loan products.
Scott---same here---but most homeowners buy the cheapo aluminum ones
Debbie, thanks---was actually kind of surprised to see this one get featured:)
Anthony, there is no end to what one can find on an inspection
Sally---people sometimes need to think about how they spend their money :)
Steven---while this is uncommon, it is quite common to see the swivel bulb holder drop down such that the bulb rests against the siding.
Lenn, just a case of leaving "something" for the inspector to find no doubt :)
Mel---absolutely---would not be without it
Donald---most likely
Vickie, when one looks at the FHA inspection form it is amazing what they aren't interested in as well.
Quite obvious "fix" and I, too, wonder (as Lenn does) why this wasn't taken care of. Hope the rest of the property wasn't this . . . combined! LOL
Charles, the title got me... I have a combination pot rack/light fixture and thought you were going to show me something new...
Charles:
Dangerous condition which anyone who has any brains could see. I am sorry to hear that squirrels and rats wouldn't be effected by frayed wires.
Carla, I could think of lots of things like this that should be taken care of prior to inspection---but then I wouldn't have a job :)
Chris---sorry about that :)
Evelyn, well unless they can figure out a way to ground themselves at the same time.
Charles - Once again you brought a smile to my face. It sure can be an amazing journey out there in the inpsection world.
Cool blog! I like wind chimes in the desert, I ride quads and dirt bikes in the desert, the homes out there seem to have at five wind chimes per home. btw they don/t look like that!!!
Charles - I'm not familiar with the windchime light fixture combination. Perhaps it's a new trend that they are trying? LOL
Robert and Lisa, on most days it is too much fun to actually be called work :)
Jon, I would hope not :)
Christine---while wind chimes made with incandescents is going to be problematic---perhaps we will start to see them using LED's :)
Hi Charles, don't a lot of pre-60s houses have decorations like that? Like your profile picture..too cool!
Yikes! I bet you see things all the time that make you do a double-take. You ough to make a coffee-table book on all your finest. :)
Personally I think that is a very well done science project checking lots of things - wind, earth rotation (a pendulum), electricity (remember Franklin?) and directional light waves.
And your problem with all this learning is...??
Charles, I wish you wouldn't publish pictures of my home without permission! :-)
Michael, thanks---pre-60's houses have lots of things indeed :) Glad you like the frog---I keep trying to find something to change it to but the frog holds his own
Janell, I guess I could just set my blog up on a kindle or something :)
Jay, my only complaint is that it doesn't have a stick attached to make drawings in the sand below.
Gabe, sorry about that---it may or may not happen again :)
What's that pipe next to it?
Well there is the downspout and then there is the vent for the oil tank