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It is alright if you can fly!

Awhile back I inspected a 3 story condo that had a flat roof that was also a walking surface/deck. Originally this roof deck had nice barrier walls all around the roof.

At some point a previous homeowner decided that a hot tub would be a cool addition to the property. There were many problems with the installation of this tub including improper installation of the electrical hook-up. Other “questions” include the questionable stairs to the deck, missing hand rail and whether the roof structure was adequate to support the massive weight of this tub.

Hot tub installation

I think the thing that made me the most nervous about this installation was the inadequate railing around the walking surface around the tub. This walking surface was at least 28 feet above the ground. I am used to crawling around at height, and standing next to this railing made me feel “uneasy”----and I hadn’t started partying in the hot tub yet----and was relatively sober.

Railing is not high enough

The lattice-work? -----everyone knows how strong that is!

Charles Buell

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Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 01/30/2009 10:49 AM

Comments (20)

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Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: It is alright if you can fly!

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20 Comments on It is alright if you can fly!

JAN

This was obviously a set up by the soon to be EX- to get the spouse drunk and accidentally 'fall' over the edge to the death. The 'survivor' would then collect the insurance $$ and fix the railing right nice like. Can't believe you are spoiling the plan! cheryl(anyone know a good spot to find poison mushrooms) willis

Dear Cheryl (with the problematic significant other) Willis----no idea where you can find any such mushrooms. :)

Charles,

You sure got me with the title for this post! I can see that whoever decides to add the hot tub did not give it much consideration. You pictures make it clear to me that there all a lot of accidents just waiting to happen (buyer beware!).

Gerry, these sorts of things you read about in the paper when the parents are away and the teenagers decide to have a little fun with the liquor cabinet and a contest to see how many can fit in the hot tub.

foiled again! cw

Charles - you worry too much, oh thats your job. You know when you write that one that the homeowner is going to object. Probably consulted someone, like Uncle Bob.

Cheryl, there aren't many secrets around here:)

Jack, I don't think too much about the homeowner's reaction:)

Thats part of what makes you a quality inspector. If we worry about comments from the agents of homeowners then we can't do our job.

Those steps remind me of steps leading up to whirlpool tubs sometime. The steps are usually marble, slick, however and dangerous as can be. Do you write those up?

Mr Charles,

I think you are too critical. I would have no trouble navigating that, even if I had had a couple brews.

Nutsy

Charlie - I don't think THAT hot tub is such a selling feature!

JAN

Jack----so true---we can not allow ourselves to think about the seller's reactions or the listing agent's reactions

Barbara, if there are no handrails----for sure.

Nutsy----in case you hadn't noticed----you are a squirrel you know?

Carol----too true.

Wow Charles! Did they have approval for that ingenious installation. Forget the railing (amd I am a bit surprised you did NOT party in the tub) - one day that little puppy is coming through someone's ceiling!

The railing is a fine height. THAT is a beautiful installation. They are thoughtful people.

Very kindly,

Croakster

P.s. Do you think I could get the lid off easily?

Charles, It is amazing what we find isn't it? It amazes me when we are referred to as "intellegent" beings... So much for my Darwinism for the day...

Jay, I saw no evidence of work being done under permits:)

Croakster, I don't think you will be able to get the cover off----but I do think you will roll down the stairs quite nicely:)

Michael, it is installations like this that reminds us of why we have permitting processes and building codes.