These Design Flaws Keep Home Inspectors on Their Toes
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One of a home inspector’s jobs is to assess a house’s layout and specifications. This necessarily means inspectors end up finding all kinds of design flaws that indicate the builder or installer or whoever didn’t think through the placement or functionality of the thing they put in.
A guest bathroom at the foot of the stairs is fine, but is that the best way to hang the door? This week’s Upon Closer Inspection looks at some design flaws we found in the field:
Closet Shower
Extra water lines are always handy, but why stick a faucet on it when there’s a closet there? You’re just asking for some toddler to come along and turn it on. Even if they’re planning to add on … I don’t know. Are you going to put a wet bar in that relatively small walk-in closet? You can put a cap on that instead of a faucet. Seriously, why???
Electric Panels for Tall People
Aesthetically, they seemed to want the panel boxes to be even with the top of the door. Unfortunately, that makes it impossible for shorter folks to reach the panel box without at least a step stool, and that’s against code.
The National Electrical Code specifies that the center of the grip of the operating handle of the highest circuit breaker in its highest position should not be more than 6 feet 7 inches (2 meters) above the floor — even if that throws off your symmetry.
Ceiling Fans for Short People
@greenscenehome Ceiling fans should be installed at least 7 feet from the floor and 18 inches from walls, unless you're looking for the guillotine effect, and no, our inspector is not 7 feet tall. #offwithhishead#designflaw #oops#homeinspection #homeinspector ♬ original sound – Green Scene Home Inspections
This is more common than you might think. People hang ceiling fans on standard-height ceilings and use the longer down-rod meant for higher ceilings (10 feet or more). Inspector Alex, who is about 5 feet 11 inches tall, demonstrates how this can be a problem. For optimal airflow and safety, you want ceiling fans to hang no lower than 7 feet from the ground.
That First Step’s a Doozy!
@greenscenehome You have to look quick, but those very steep stairs start RIGHT at the door and a halfstep to the left. You better be on your toes walking around in this house. #designflaw #homeinspection #homeinspector #questionable #askahomeinspector ♬ original sound – Green Scene Home Inspections
Okay, first of all, is this a ship or a house? But seriously, those stairs! It’s a quick take, but when you open that door, the first step is right there… and a half step to the left.
What was the plan here? “We’re going to build these extremely steep stairs right up to the second-floor bedroom door — oops! Well, just kind of shuffle to the left and you’re there.” Maybe this was one of those house-in-a-box things and the builder lost the instructions.
Have you seen a weird or wacky design flaw that you’d like to share with us? Email it to [email protected]. Meanwhile, if you or someone you know needs a home inspection, you know who to call!
