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Electrical problems? I'd say so.

By
Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

Electrical problems? I'd say so.

There I was doing another home inspection when I came to the electrical system.

Wow, what a nightmare. They had upgraded the service portion to the home, but never finished the job.

up graded service panel 

Look to the right and you will see the dreaded "fuse boxes".

Fuse boxes with Extra's

Note the boxes with all the "extras" hanging around. What's with the "in line fuse"?

Yes the boxes were still live and in use. But this was just the start of this wonderful adventure.

Let's see what is in the garage.

Fuse box in garage

See to the right, there are two more of these beauties. A total of five in all.

This home has not been upgraded in the interior of the home since it was built in 1949.

I think the new owners "if they choose to buy" needs a lot of work done.

 

Posted by

 

Clint  McKie

Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New Mexico. Eddy County's only certified home inspection service WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Serving all of South East New Mexico. We inspect the homes entire structure from the roof to the foundation, and everything in between. Most reports within 4-24 hours from time of inspection completion. We issue a PDF report with pictures Starting at $250.00 for each home inspection. Why settle for less when you can have the best?

Also included is a Appliance recallcheck and a 90 day warranty with all full home inspections.

When it comes to Quality home inspections. Simply put, we are the best.

1-575-706-5586   www.carlsbad-home-inspector.com Call me for the latest specials.

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Comments(108)

Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Kimo,

This is a safety issue. They have overloaded the fuse boxes. They are at there max. They do not have any "GFI or GFCI's" in the entire home. Plus they are using an ungrounded two wire system.

Can we say an upgrade is needed?

Thanks for the question and for the comment.

All the best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 01:14 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Well that is certainly a shocking development.  I get a charge out of these Home Inspector Post.  :)

Nov 07, 2011 01:20 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Marte,

I hope you got a "waiver for the system". You do know that a "knob and tube system has no ground wire.

And the wiring can only handle so much of a load before it gets too hot. Then we all know what happens next.

On a lighter side of things, I do like the cluster map. I have only had it a couple of days. I have a colleague in China, I think he has been watching me. LOL

Have a great evening.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 01:22 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Akerly Team.

Actually, the seller told the Realtor that the system had been upgraded to 100 amp service.

Really?

All the best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 01:26 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Eric,

I think we are on the same page on this one.

Thanks for the comment and stop back any time.

All the best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 01:29 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Gene,

I'm glad you had a shocking good time with the post. The more you visit the more info you can learn from us inspectors.

Have a great time in Ca.

All the best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 01:33 PM
Sherry Chastain
Hendersonville, Nashville, Old Hickory, Lebanon Tennessee - Hendersonville, TN
Realtor, Selling Homes, Lake Properties,Luxury Homes,Short Sales

I love reading inpsectors post! I remember back in the day (not that long ago--I'm not that old) but home inspections were thought of being a big exspense buyers didn't want to make. (Yeah right, glad I don't work for your money) Funny how things have changed--after a couple of my stories of how much a home inspection can save you, I don't sell many homes without inspections now. Congrats on Feature.

Nov 07, 2011 03:40 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     I am curious about the photos... is the Meter Box inside or outside of the house or garage?  How can the Utility Company Read the Meter unless it is on the outside?

 And I agree with you  - why would they put in a new Circuit Panel, and then leave a 1940's Fuse Box in place?

Nov 07, 2011 04:45 PM
Michael Singh,Broker
Singh Real Estate - Corral de Tierra, CA

I like the way they ran the conduit. almost could be a handrail.

Nov 07, 2011 05:27 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Sherry,

Funny how things come full circle. Home inspections are a vital part of buying a home.

Do you use Michael Thorton for your Nashville area inspections? Hs is a member of the Rain Network.

Very knowledgeable and very good at home inspections.

Have a great day in the Nashville area,

Best. Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 09:40 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Fred,

All three meter loops are on the outside of the home. The two old ones then the new service. None of this old equipment was removed. They just kept adding as time went on.

Now is time for the new service breaker box for the home.

Thanks for he comment. Have a great day today.

All the best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 09:44 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Michal,

And it probably was by a previous owner. LOL

There is just way too much stuff there for it to be safe.

Notice the jumpers off of the live line feed. See the little fused jumper they used to get a feed to another box.

Have a good day my friend.

All the best, Clint McKie

Nov 07, 2011 09:58 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Clint,  Looks like you inspected one of our grow houses down here! lol

Nov 07, 2011 10:19 PM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Terrific post Clint, congratulations on the feature.  This looks like a good job for the electrician, hope it doexn't queer the deal.

Nov 08, 2011 02:26 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Bob,

Nice to see you have come back to visit. I have been in a lot of green houses on farms. And yes it looks just like the pictures. LOL

I think the owners of the places just says "get it done, as long as the lights come on".

Have a good day in Florida.

Best. Clint McKie

Nov 08, 2011 10:01 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Al,

I think from all indications the owners are not happy with the report. But on the other hand, the buyers are very happy. The Realtor is happy as well.

By what the buyers said to me yesterday, they are countering the sellers price. With the stipulation that the fuse boxes be replaced with a single main breaker panel.

Plus a few other "fine tunings for the home.

Have a good day by the Sea in Florida my friend.

All mt best, Clint McKie

Nov 08, 2011 10:06 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Clint and that's what I am talking about, great post and information. Congrats on the feature and keep them coming ...

VB ;o)

Nov 12, 2011 02:05 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Thank you Bob for all the support you have given me in the Rain.

Have a great day at the Air Show. Find some Aliens.

Best, Clint Mckie

Nov 12, 2011 02:32 AM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta
Another great example of why everyone definitely should get a home inspection! This seems like a mess to clean up
Jan 26, 2012 11:51 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Sylvie,

No matter how much to get the repairs done, they need to be done.

I have not been notified if the buyer bought the home or not.

best, Clint mcKie

Jan 27, 2012 12:22 AM