Hidden Danger: Some Homes Have Safety Issues You Can’t Ignore

Every week, the detail-oriented folks at Green Scene Home Inspections will give CandysDirt.com readers an education in inspection. Want to see what they see? Tune in  for “Upon Closer Inspection.”

Depending on the home, a home inspector usually finds a lot of ordinary wear and tear or maintenance issues during an inspection, and possibly some bigger repairs or malfunctioning equipment. Occasionally we find a truly dangerous situation.

Here are a few examples of dangerous problems that need immediate attention.

Carbon Monoxide Leak

When a gas-powered appliance is running, it releases carbon monoxide. The flue takes that combustible air out of the house, but when there’s a disconnect, the dangerous gas can collect inside, creating a fire hazard and unsafe air for breathing.

Thirty parts per million is considered safe — this one measures off the charts.

Previous Fire Damage

In this video, our Inspector found white paint in the attic, intended to cover up previous fire damage. That’s common when there’s been a fire.

If you’re considering purchasing a home that has had a fire, you’ll want to consult with the homeowner to find out the circumstances and get any receipts, paperwork, or the insurance file to indicate what work was done.

In this case, you’d be concerned about the structural integrity of the roof, the rafters, and decking in the attic, as well as the air quality with possible damage to the ductwork. If the seller doesn’t have evidence of what work was done, you’ll want to call your own experts in.

Dangerous Wiring

It doesn’t take an electrician to see that this set up is not just wrong, but dangerous. The wiring could easily touch that metal fence and create a positive connection that would electrocute anyone who touches that fence. 

Speaking of electricians, this homeowner needs to call one! Don’t DIY electricity!