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The Lion, The Witch and The Cabinet... Well Maybe Just the Cabinet

As Home Inspectors there are quite a lot of items we look at during a home inspection. And though some of the items we normally look at are fine in 95% of the homes, you still have to check. For instance, cabinetry. Most of the homes in my area are pretty well built. I honestly rarely see problems with cabinets. But do I pass them up, NO WAY! I still take a look at them and make sure they're secured properly.

I just came across this a few weeks ago.

Loose acbinet

As you can see, I'm married. Okay, that's not the point of the picture :-)

You can see that my hand can fit behind the support for the cabinet that attaches to the wall. The entire cabinet has pulled away from the wall. These cabinets were empty, can you imagine what could have happened once the new owner started filling them up!

So even though the cabinets in 95% of the homes I see are just fine, I always inspect them. That's why my average time on-site is 3-hours.

I hope this gives you a little more information about home inspections and their value. Be safe out there.

Posted by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector on 02/20/2008 07:39 PM

Comments (13)

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13 Comments on The Lion, The Witch and The Cabinet... Well Maybe Just the Cabinet

FEB

2008

Your posts are so helpful. I remember a home inspector saying the cabinets should be screwed to the wall, not nailed. Ever since, that's been one of the examples I use in discussing why someone should get a home inspection - the average buyer wouldn't know to look for that.

Joseph - another helpful post! I feel like a kid going for a pop-up book when I go to your Blog ... I am always curious what pictures will be there to support what you are saying :). How were these cabinets not nearly falling off the wall?!

Margaret, thank you. I'm glad you explain how a home inspection is useful to your clients. Take care.

Derek, I truly am glad you appreciate my blogs. I enjoy writing them.

FEB

2008

Joseph, if I recall, the ASHI reporter had an article about cabinets not long ago. Sheet rock screws like that appear to be in your picture are not designed for shear strength.

Here is a copy of that ASHI Report

"Whether or not they are certified, all wall cabinets must be firmly attached to the wall. The fasteners preferably must penetrate the wall stud at least one inch. When studs are not available, molly fasteners work exceptionally well. The correct fasteners, along with the friction fit, provide adequate attachment of the cabinet modules to the mounting surface. Center-island cabinets require anchorage to the floor, directly into the floor joist system.

The minimum industry standard for cabinets with a 3/4-inch plywood back is 3-inch screws with a button head or countersunk screws, minimum four per cabinet, screwed directly to the wall stud. Those with 1/4-inch plywood backs and mounting rails on the inside top and bottom need a #8 or #10 screw at least 2 1/2-inches long for minimum penetration; again, at least four per cabinet."

Jim, thanks for posting that info. I'll have to look up my old ASHI mags for that article. Take care.

Joseph - Question? Was this a new home? (or) Had someone just moved?

If someone had been living in the home I am surprised they had not already fallen.

Good blog and good photo (including the wedding band).

Carl, this home was about 20-years old and was vacant. I'm very surprised they hadn't fallen yet, but maybe nothing too heavy was every stored there?

Joseph - They were very fortunate the cabinet had not fallen. If it were our house it would have fallen, Ceil has them loaded with dishes and glassware.

Carl, my house too. I would say that 90% of occupants would have made the cabinet fall with the items they store in them. They were very fortunate.

FEB

2008

Joseph- this is a good reminder. On the standard TREC form in Texas, there is no official spot for cabinets. A Realtor saw me checking them, and commented that her normal inspector does not check them out. That is one problem with forms, people forget that they are only the basis (the minimum) for what we need to investigate.