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But it has been that way for…….

By
Home Inspector with Charles Buell Inspections Inc.

     If there is anything that makes the lives of inspectors difficult, it is house defects that have somehow “stood the test of time.”

     Every inspector has heard from sellers and agents on both sides of the deal say, “But it has been that way for………”

     The only thing I can equate this to is the recent collapse of one of the great arches in Arches National Monument-----Wall Arch----which had stood there perfectly content for more than 10 thousand years.  One night, with no one to watch, it decided it had had enough of obnoxious sightseers, petroglyph carvers and sport climbers and just disintegrated under its own weight.

     Inspectors often use the term “stood the test of time” to describe conditions of homes that may not be “proper” by current “standards” yet they appear to be functioning just fine.  We have to be VERY careful using this term because of the “Wall Arch Effect.”  Another thing that works against most man-made and natural made features is that things rarely get better with age----so sooner or later there is bound to be a mighty roar and cloud of dust and it won’t be the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

     Take this stair stringer attachment for example.  You know a stringer don’t you?  It is the long diagonal white board in this first picture that supports all the stair treads.

Stair Stringer

     It has likely been just the way you see it---except for perhaps the nice white paint---for at least 103 years.  This certainly qualifies it as having “stood the test of time” and it will not likely “spontaneously” collapse like Wall Arch.  However, all bets are off when a couple of guys too big for their clothes try to wrestle a refrigerator up or down the stairs.  As an inspector I can not afford to pass these stairs off as safe with so little supporting the top end of the stringer as shows in this next picture.  There are just a couple of toe-nails driven up into the joist and very small amounts of the top tread bucking against the joist.

Bad connection of stringer at top of stairs

     That the stairs have “stood the test of time” is not an excuse or a reason to let the issue slide----they still need to be fixed----especially when adding proper support will be so easy.

Charles Buell

 

 

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Comments (19)

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I make it a point not to comment until Nutsy has but this is a prime endorsement for heavy weight agents as myself. We find these time tested stair cases =)
Your friend in Washington State,
Paul

Oct 20, 2009 02:21 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr Paul,

Thank you for showing me the respect that is so deserved but has been so lacking.

Mr Charles, is that an old tube from knob and tube wiring in the background there? Perhaps that will work as a lag bolt....just an idea. Enough epoxy and all.

Nutsy

Oct 20, 2009 02:22 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Paul, you would be, I suspect, just fine on the stairs---just don't bring the refrigerator along

Nutsy, I have to say that is the most sense you have made in quite a while:)----you are almost up to "none"

Oct 20, 2009 02:45 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

That is an accident just waiting to happen.

Supports will be an easy fix.

I hope the sellers of this home are making that repair before someone gets hurt.

Oct 20, 2009 03:09 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

I can agree, although it is admirable that those stairs are still standing, how long they will be standing depends on who is going to be standing, jumping on them.  Thanks for sharing.

Oct 20, 2009 03:16 AM
Cheryl Willis
RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI - Mount Vernon, MO
MO Broker - Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Law

as always you 'see' and 'say'- bet the sellers were thrilled that they could now secure the stairs for the future owners.-  cw

Oct 20, 2009 04:39 AM
Janice MacMillan
ERA Joyner Realty - Valdosta, GA
Associate Broker

Wow! I wouldn't want to be the one standing at the top of those stairs when they collasp! YIKES!

 

Oct 20, 2009 05:30 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

I suspect Nutsy will soon collapse under the heavy weight of his grammatical ignorance passed down by his boss. I offered assistance (at a price of course) but am doubtful of interest.

Oct 20, 2009 07:38 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

As I saw the first photo, I thought, don't pull a fridge up those stairs!  You beat me...

Those knob and tube pedestals have stood the test of time too...

Oct 20, 2009 09:40 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

That's one messy looking cellar?  basement?  and the stairs don't look safe at all.

Oct 20, 2009 01:39 PM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Charlie - Yup, I'd say it stood the test of time.  Because, back in the day when those steps were built 103 years ago people were were shorter and not so overweight.  Just the thought of two beefy guys moving a fridge ....I get the picture even if you weren't there to take it, you painted the not so pretty picture.

Oct 21, 2009 04:18 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Craig the fix is not nearly as big a deal as a collapse would be

Brenda---for sure

Cheryl---yup

Jan---or at the bottom:)

Kate, I am sure you are right

Jay, yup----all the knob and tube had been abandoned---just the tubes and knobs left

Barbara---are you calling Steve's house messy?:)

Carol---too true.  There is always the straw that breaks the camels back

Oct 21, 2009 12:47 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

So were you going up the down staircase.

Oct 21, 2009 04:59 PM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

I'm sure you've seen alot of stuff covered over with a new coat of paint!

Oct 22, 2009 12:06 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Steve----pretty much

Leslie----very often

Oct 22, 2009 02:39 AM
Reuben Saltzman
Structure Tech Home Inspections - Minneapolis, MN
Delivering the Unbiased Truth.

Charles - I cringed when I read your title.  I hear that phrase so much... 

Oct 23, 2009 10:21 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Reuben, when you think about it, the statement is really quite amazing.  Doesn't the statement imply that things get better with age?

Oct 24, 2009 12:08 PM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

Hi Charles - looks like someone thought that stringers were just decorative...

Nov 13, 2009 09:06 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Margaret---well they did paint them all up nice:)

Nov 13, 2009 01:33 PM