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Shower Head Surprise

By
Home Inspector with Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA

The ubiquitous shower head. I sometimes let my guard down and momentarily forget some of the lessons I've learned while inspecting homes. Here's what I am referring to:

leaking shower head

I try to remember to first look up at the shower head before turning on the shower. In the above instance, I had my camera on and ready because these heads with extended shower arms often leak.

Otherwise, it's all too easy to spray surrounding walls, floors, ceilings, and body parts.  The fix is usually easy, but sometimes they simply need to be replaced.

Feel free to share a memorable account of a time when you got soaked.

Brett Reichel
Homebridge Financial Services - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
MLO 210215

That's funny - it reminds me of one of my installations of a shower head.  I spent forever trying to keep it from leaking!

Oct 31, 2011 02:49 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

Brett - what did you use, plumbers putty, duct tape, etc.? :)

Oct 31, 2011 02:52 AM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Hank, 

Fun - what a trick or treat for home inspectors - staying dry!  Good photo and info!

All the best, Michelle

Oct 31, 2011 02:57 AM
Jane Jensen
Century 21 New Millennium - Arlington, VA

Was the house vacant? I can't understand why sellers don't fix this stuff before put their house on the market or at least before the home inspection. They gotta know know about it if they're living there. 

Oct 31, 2011 03:01 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

Michelle - That's right. There's little water-related drama like in Dirty Jobs or Deadliest Catch, but it keeps me on my toes. Happy Halloween!

Jane - This home was occupied, however, those guest bathrooms sometimes don't get used regularly.

Oct 31, 2011 03:18 AM
Julie Babcock -Nook & Cranny Home Inspections
Nook & Cranny Home Inspections Tonawanda, NY - Tonawanda, NY

Hi Hank!

I once had a shower I couldn't turn OFF!  Thankfully, the homeowner had just left and wasn't very far away.  It was a very old "mixer" system that I had never seen before, and haven't seen since.

Oct 31, 2011 11:38 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

Julie!!! I've had a few of those. Have you gotten by sprayed by anything yet?

Oct 31, 2011 11:43 AM
Julie Babcock -Nook & Cranny Home Inspections
Nook & Cranny Home Inspections Tonawanda, NY - Tonawanda, NY

Yes!  But it wasn't a shower.  It was one of those fancy Kohler faucets that looks like bamboo and, when turned on, it completely overshot the granite sink.  Nice to look at, but not very functional!  I got soaked and had to mop up the floor, too.

Oct 31, 2011 11:52 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

It's an unglamorous, but sometimes necessary aspect of the job. Inspector with a mop in hand!

Oct 31, 2011 11:56 AM
Julie Babcock -Nook & Cranny Home Inspections
Nook & Cranny Home Inspections Tonawanda, NY - Tonawanda, NY

So true!

Oct 31, 2011 12:01 PM
Anonymous
John Wright

One time doing the exterior inspection, the owner and seller were in the garage talking, and the owner showed the buyer the in ground spkinkler system. It worked great. As I came around the corner, soaked, everyone broke out laughing, and then the appologieze started. All in all, everyone had a good laugh, I got a free shower (not needed) and a tip in the end for getting soaked, and not getting mad about it.

Can anyone beet this one??

 

Nov 08, 2011 01:36 PM
#11
Anonymous
Seth

I think the sprinkler wins.  My forgetfulness occurs occasionally when I sit on the edge of the tub, flip the drain stopper, and then proceed to turn on the water only to realize the shower diverter had stuck in the "Shower On" position thus soaking my head.  Doesn't happen as much as it used too as I have gotten better but it still gets me a few times a year.  I bet this one has happened to most of you guys/gals.

New member to the group.

Seth

Home Professionals- Inspection & Environmental Services, Inc.

www.HPIEServices.com

 

Nov 10, 2011 12:44 PM
#12
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

John & Seth: Both of the incidents you describe happen (present tense) to me. Voluntarily walked through misting heads yesterday because the lot was tight and there was no room to walk-around.

Nov 10, 2011 11:46 PM