Electrical Hazards in Attics
Electrical hazards in attics can remain hidden for years, increasing the risk of fire, costly repairs, failed inspections, and serious safety issues after moving in.
Electrical Wiring Hazards
Exposed wires, overloaded circuits, double-tapped breakers, warm outlets, flickering lights, and missing GFCI/AFCI protection can signal electrical hazards worth addressing.
Electrical Grounding – December, 2025
Et tu, plumber? Back in the day, this would have been the house’s “main grounding connection.” It’s where the electrical service was grounded to the house’s steel water pipe. Somewhere along the way, someone changed out the thicker steel pipe for a more slender copper tube. Disturbed rust on the screw threads shows where someone loosened the clamp to change it, but callously [...]
Bathroom Lighting – Aug. 2024
Perhaps these Christmas lights could be relocated... to a place where they’re not likely to fall into a tub of water containing a person. Just a thought.
Electrical Wiring – Jul. 2024
Rule #63 of home inspections: If anyone *can* do their own electrical wiring, anyone *will* do their own electrical wiring. Especially with Home Depot and Lowes there to encourage them. This light fixture is intended to be installed over a flush-mount electrical box. (That’s a box that fits inside the wall and is flush with the surface of the wall – or better, yet, [...]
Rodents and Insulation – June 2024
Insulation and Wiring - Rule #62 of home inspection: If a rodent *can* gnaw on a thing, it *will* gnaw on that thing. All rodents, including mice and rats, have four front teeth that never stop growing and must be worn down to keep them at a manageable size. If necessary, they’ll simply grind their teeth together to keep them at a manageable length, [...]
Electrical Service Drops – May 2024
Avoid a "hot" summer. This electrical service drop contains a variety of defects: Both the utility splices are exposed at the "hot" legs of the service drop. The exposed conductors could shock or kill a person or animal. A strong wind could blow the splices into each other, causing an electrical arc that would damage them and pose a fire hazard to the house. [...]
Electrical and Plumbing – September 2023
Fashionable sinks haven’t sported S-traps for over 100 years. Like wearing white shoes after labor day, S-traps simply aren’t done. Of course, the lack of a high loop at the dishwasher drain is also a sad error. These mistakes will make little difference, however, to the poor soul who reaches a wet hand under the sink to turn on the disposer, only to [...]
