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The ooh and aarrgghh moments of a Seattle Home Inspector

By Charles Buell

Home Inspector with Charles Buell Inspections Inc.

March 26, 2013 03:50 AM

It is painfully obvious to everyone that home inspectors get to find all the odd things created by homeowners and Uncle Bob. There is apparently no end to these oddities and it keeps me entertained as a home inspector and is great for blog fodder.

This post however is about how sometimes we also find some very cool things done by homeowners---and even Uncle Bob.

Take for example this combination Bathroom night-lite/sink.

night-lite sink

I thought it was pretty cool. Great for an “ooooooh” instead of an “aarrgghh!”

Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

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Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Jan, it was like a Gem--glowing in the bathroom

Tim, it just lights up the room a little bit and is designed to be left on

Lenn, that is a good question and I always note the fact that there is none---just to give the client a heads up. Kitchen sinks don't have one either---but I think we are used to those not having overflows. I had a bathroom sink the other day where the overlfow would not keep up with the incoming water anyway---so an overflow is not "fool proof." I think I did a post a while back about a "designer" sink that did have an overflow but the front edge was lower than the overflow.

low rider sink

Mar 26, 2013 04:13 AM

Fred Hernden, CMI

Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque area Master Inspector

That is very cool... I take it that it's a glass bowl with the light in the cabinet? I like it!

Mar 26, 2013 05:01 AM

Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I don't know. I have this vision of a leak and then what..... I guess beauty has its price.

Mar 26, 2013 05:47 AM

Steven Cook

No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Charles -- but is the light a very low energy LED, or is the homeowner going to be watching his energy bills climbing due to all the power it is consuming?

Mar 26, 2013 05:57 AM

Bud & Beth McKinney

RE/MAX UNITED - Cary, NC

Cary/Raleigh/Apex NC - The Team That Cares, RE/MAX United

Wow that looks really great!

Mar 26, 2013 06:56 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I've never seen so many great ideas as when I started showing houses. On the other hand I am seen some true disasters from people trying to be creative...

Mar 26, 2013 07:53 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening, Charles. That is quite cool. I do not think I have seen anything quite like this...

Mar 26, 2013 08:21 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Is there an overflow? I don't see one. I had two sinks this week without overflows. One was new construction and the supervisor asked me why a bathroom sink needed one...

Mar 26, 2013 08:54 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Fred, yes---nice little LED's inside and around the base of the thing

Jane, well any sink can leak:)

Steven, yes---very low energy likely

Bud & Beth, yes---I thought it looked great too

Paul, yes---lots of disasters for sure

Michael, I have seen where lights have been used to shine through the stone countertop---but not the sink itself

Jay, well the overflow is not "required" but they are nice and I certainly note when they are not there.

Mar 26, 2013 09:10 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Charles- now that is what I would call "way cool!!!"

Mar 26, 2013 09:12 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Interesting, the sink and that you would comment on the lack of an over flow. I think it's just what we are used to seeing. Does it make any real difference? When I use the sink, I am there while it runs. I simply just do not see the over flow as important. On a tub, however, different story.

Mar 26, 2013 08:56 PM

Robert Butler

Aspect Inspection - Montreal West Island, QC

Montreal Home Inspector | Aspect Inspection

Interesting find there Charles. I can see some housekeepers reflecting on the fact that this would require keeping the sink and all the lighted space under the sink clear of clutter and of course clean.

Mar 27, 2013 08:18 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Thank You Charles

Mar 30, 2013 11:15 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

That is one very cool sink! What an inventive, clever idea. Is the homeowner selling any?

Mar 31, 2013 02:08 AM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Charles, that would be a great compliment to the automatic granite waterfall urinal installed in a home here. I really like the simplicity here too! Imagination is a wonderful tool at times.

Mar 31, 2013 02:25 AM

Janis Borgueta

Newburgh, NY

Retired RE Salesperson

Very cool. I love unusual things like that. I actually think it would have great value in a hotel or restaurant.

Mar 31, 2013 04:24 AM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

That is a lovely sink and the light would be fabulous in a powder room since guests don't necessarily know where the lightswitch is!

Mar 31, 2013 08:31 AM

Les & Sarah Oswald

Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA

Broker, Realtor and Investor

What a bright idea...thanks for sharing.

Mar 31, 2013 11:30 AM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I saw your post on kathy's weekly round up...glad I didn't miss it. Thanks for sharing :-)

Apr 01, 2013 09:50 PM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Kathy, thanks----and thanks for including me on your little weekly list:)

Jim, I think most people expect an overflow on the bathroom sink---I just give them a friendly "heads up" to minimize the learning curve:)

Robert the lights are actually in a more or less sealed area and the sink tail piece merely sticks through the bottom into the trap area below. This creates more white reflective surface for the light to bounce around on

Maureen, this was a pretty high end house---lots of cool designer features like this

Kevin, pretty fun indeed

Homes for sale, who knows, perhaps they will become very common

Joanna, it creates a kind of fun ambiance

Sarah & Les---yes "bright" indeed:)

Kristin, glad you liked it

Apr 02, 2013 02:45 AM