Warning to Realtors. Do not turn on any systems that are not turned on.

Why not turn on systems that are off in a home during an inspection?  Liability. My insurance coverage does not cover stupidity. When I am at an inspection and a water valve is turned off to a toilet, I don't turn it on. If an AC service disconnect is in the off position, I do not turn it on. If an electrical breaker is in the off position, I do not turn it on. If a water heater pilot is not lit or the water is not turned on to the water heater, I do not turn it on. Why?  There may be a good reason why the system is not turned on and also for liability reasons.

This past week I had an instance where the water supply to a basement bathroom was not turned on. I recommended that a qualified, licensed plumber inspect and test all fixtures for proper functioning and draining of waste water. You're probably saying to yourself that is excessive. No it is not. The waste water drained into a holding tank for an injector pump that removed the waste water to the main waste line that was 6' in the air. The outlet for the pump was electrified but other then that, I do not know if it worked. My guess was that the water was turned off for a reason.  

My client asked me why I am not turning the water on and I explained the reasons. He said that he needed to know and that he would turn the water on and accepted responsibility. He did turn it on. He tested the toilet, ran the sink and shower and was happy that everything worked.

We left the bathroom, turned the corner of the hallway and there it was, a flood. The pump was not working in the tank and the tank must have been filled with water.  The tank overflowed allowing all the water that was run to flood the floor and carpet area. What a mess to clean up.

This issue was not divulged in the disclosure statement. My client and his realtor now understand why I don't turn on a system that was off and why I recommend further evaluation. I have a few more stories like this that I will share in the coming months. Now everybody, repeat after me, "I will not turn on any systems that are not turned on at time of inspection"