Argghhh Matey, Walk the Plank!

It's quite common to see the furnace located in the attic in this area.  When the furnace is in the attic there should be a light in case someone needs to work on the unit and there should be a platform so you can get to the unit and have access easily.

The other day I was in an attic and came across this.

loose attic platform

 

That's what a platform to access the furnace looks like in an attic.  However, if you look closely at the very left part of the plywood you'll see it's not secured to the truss.  They evidently cut the plywood about 3-inches too short and just decided to leave it.  If someone stepped there with full force, they just might be "walkin' the plank Matey," and take a plunge below.  By the way, this was the same attic with the notched truss in my post Another Notch in the Belt.  I guess Bubba gets a little trigger happy with that sawz-all.

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

 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection

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13 Comments on Argghhh Matey, Walk the Plank!

I would not want to be the inspector on this one!

04/15/2008 10:10 AM by Cathleen Rodgers e-Pro,ASP (North Texas GMAC)

The value of a home inspection is worth it's weight in gold!! The things you guys unearth are mind boggling at times.

04/15/2008 10:20 AM by Gabriele Campbell, ASP, CID (D F Campbell Ventures Group Inc.)

Cathleen, luckily I didn't try to walk on the platform, I walked on the truss members.  I had slid the access cover right by the platform so I had to walk around it... good thing.

Gabriele, thanks.  It is amazing what we find.   There's something new every day.

04/15/2008 10:40 AM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

Joseph- Ahhh for once I have something right at my house....I have an attic light :)  No Planks though....

04/15/2008 03:56 PM by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)

Kathy, oh well, you can't have everything, right  :-)  But seriously, it might become an issue if you ever need an HVAC contractor to work on the unit in the attic.

04/15/2008 04:35 PM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

Joseph- OK....so is there a special way the planks should be ?

04/15/2008 06:53 PM by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)

If you miss, do you go through the ceiling?  What a way to get house access.

04/15/2008 08:35 PM by Peter Wolf (Coldwell Banker)

Wow -- that's some handy work!  Case in point for a full home inspection, no matter what.

04/15/2008 10:19 PM by Tori Lynn Ross - Omaha's Premier Home Stager (Ross Designs, LLC)

Kathy, if the plywood is not resting on a support member in the attic and if the plywood is not think enough than there's a problem.

Peter, yup, you'd go right through the ceiling.

Tori Lynn, or not so handy  :-)   Thanks for stopping by.

04/16/2008 09:14 AM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

A furnace in the attic-interesting.  Out of sight, out of mind I guess!  Thanks for the info and the picture, I love all the stories you home inspectors here on ActiveRain share with us :)

04/16/2008 03:31 PM by JenRan Realty, LLC

Jennifer, I'm glad you enjoy them.  Take care.

04/17/2008 01:22 AM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

Just another reason why it is a good idea to get an inspection from a qualified inspector such as yourself.

Have a great day!

04/17/2008 06:06 PM by Richard Ives (RE/MAX AT HOME)

Richard, thanks for the compliment.

04/18/2008 01:02 AM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

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Inspector: Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)
Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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