As I have discussed before, we home inspectors see many odd things. Some of them, at least if you think about it, make sense in that you can eventually figure out why the person did what he or she did. There are many more of these crazy designs that make no sense at all. 

Usually, I see one common thread that runs through these crazy designs. Often the designs are the result of the homeowner trying to repair, or adjust for, some other problem -- real or imagined. For example, I know of a homeowner who did not like the location of the TPR drain on the water heater, so he plumbed it into the main ABS drain system. Not wise or allowed. I have seen people upset with the gutters draining too close to the house, instead route them under the house.

The photo below is a classic example of trying to remedy a perceived problem in the wrong way. The small roof is sheltering a deck that is located under the eave of the house. The homeowner does not like rain. So what does he do? He nails a 2x4 above the gutter, on the roofing, and then attaches the roof to that. In this case, the rain runs down the house roof and stops at the 2x4. All of the organic debris, and runoff water, collects and soaks into the roof and sheathing. This is not a smart design but, again, this is a homeowner's solution to a perceived problem -- if he sits on the deck in the rain his head gets wet. That problem is now satisfactorily solved in his mind, the roof problems are just beginning.

 

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

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7 Comments on Goofy People, Crazy Designs

JUL
08
2008
916,948 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Quack, Quack----duck tape----quack, quack
2:33pm • #1
406,115 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Interesting contraction. I guess it worked for him and unknown to him presented other problems.

Sean Allen
3:23pm • #2
1,150,578 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charles,

This is the first time I have seen you so critical of photos from your own house.

Sean,

He fought the laws of physics, and physics won.
3:35pm • #3
328,472 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Oh if only we all had a bit of common sense, or maybe physics,or just some knowledge of sound building practices,  but I think people will just keep trying to solve their problems the best way they see fit, not always the reght way
5:49pm • #4
1,150,578 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Michael,

You are right. People are just trying to get by, on the cheap, and it does not always work out for them.
8:28pm • #5
1,911,248 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Steven, I never cease to be amazed at the things people jerry-rig in their homes!  I will confess to putting duck tape on a cracked pipe (exterior -stupid place to put it) leading to a hoze bib.  It splits every years because it's impossible to drain all the water out.  My house is sort of the plumbers' full employement act.
11:17pm • #6
1,150,578 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Patricia,

Between my home and three rentals, I have a few things I am not so thrilled about, but I am mum.
11:21pm • #7

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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