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Just like Alpha Alpha Structural, Inc. (previously here, here, and here), Boston Home Inspectors also rain on people's parades. Well, kinda. In a nice way.

"We are hired by the buyer of a property to inspect the exterior of the house, basement, and structure along with all of the home systems," James Brock of Boston Home Inspectors told Bored Panda. "We test all the outlets, appliances, windows, doors, and bathroom fixtures. We, both, look for items not installed properly or that may be deteriorated, defective, or have an item of concern. For example, a leak or unsafe conditions."

Besides looking for problems or issues, the company educates the buyer about the investment that they will be making. "We teach them how the various components in their new home work and what to expect for life expectancy and what to plan for future maintenance."

During the past 24 years, Boston Home Inspectors have seen quite a bit in their job. From crazy DIY solutions to years of neglect, they share pictures of their most interesting finds on social media. Here are some of the most popular ones.

More info: bhi.us | Instagram

When talking about common problems, Brock said their Instagram is a pretty good representation of the big picture.

"As you can see, decks seem to have the most issues. Many are not built right or inspected annually for issues. Wood and metal deteriorate and corrode. Too many times people have a deck built and never give it a second thought for 15-20 years, meanwhile, the wood is starting to rot and the metal components rust."

"Also the famous uncle who knows just a little about everything, but is master of nothing, has now built your dream deck wrong! The deck is now potentially dangerous. I understand homeowners are trying to save money, but most times these items will cost them more in the long run," Brock explained.

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There are a lot of things that could make a home dangerous: it could be the hot water temperature (140F), stairs without handrails, loose toilets, uneven front steps, leaning basement stairs, non-GFI outlets next to a bathtub, window seats in a child's room, clogged fireplace flues, large icicles hanging from the gutters, uneven basement floors for tripping, fire hazards like clogged dryer vents or wiring not to code. The list is long. Apparently, there are many items in a home that can become unsafe if installed incorrectly or have started to age/deteriorate.

"I love to use the analogy with home buyers, do you take your car in for regular maintenance and yearly inspection? Your home is no different than your car," Brock said. "Your home needs the heating and air conditioning system serviced and maintained annually. Same with the roof, dryer vent, foundation, decks, water heater, fireplace, etc."

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#7

Mother-In-Law Door

Mother-In-Law Door

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I remember from Saturday morning cartoons, "Watch out for the first step! It's a doozy!"

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#8

Interesting

Interesting

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If you want to prolong your home's lifespan, Brock advises having a professional tradesman, who you can build a long-term relationship with. "[Your home] is your investment and it needs to be protected (inspected, serviced, and maintained). There are several dozen homeowners who have Boston Home Inspectors at their home every 3 years to inspect the major items and components and give them a list of the next few things they should focus on.

For example, Brock said that in the next 3 years, some of these people will have the chimney pointed, repair some deteriorated wood and paint the weathered side of the house, fix the loose deck handrails and repair the leaning fence. "[Regular annual maintenance of the home and its items] gives the direction and what to focus on next."

#9

Seriously?? I Know You Said It Wasn’t Finished Yet

Seriously?? I Know You Said It Wasn’t Finished Yet

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#11

With This Design You Can Multitask. Wash Dishes While You're On The Crapper

With This Design You Can Multitask. Wash Dishes While You're On The Crapper

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While creating the Instagram page, Brock wanted it not to be a science book or manual, lecturing people on what they should or not should do, we get enough of that all day long, he said.

"I wanted a spot where people could go, relate to a picture as a homeowner, laugh, and say 'I'm glad that's not my house.' And at the end of the day, they can look at their own home ... and they can say 'At least my deck post is not sitting on a bolder.' Or 'At least my home doesn't look like that.'"

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#14

Found At Work Today!

Found At Work Today!

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#15

Now This Is A Basement We Can Party In!

Now This Is A Basement We Can Party In!

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#18

Children And Drunks Are On Their Own!

Children And Drunks Are On Their Own!

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Jaclyn
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not a clumsy person, but I guarantee I'd fall off that deck just right so I'd roll head first down those cement steps within the first hour of being anywhere near this.

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#19

Would Love To Chat With Who Came Second!!

Would Love To Chat With Who Came Second!!

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#23

Dryer Lint. The Cremated Remains Of Missing Socks

Dryer Lint. The Cremated Remains Of Missing Socks

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#29

Looks Like I’m Going To Have A ‘Fun-Gi’ Day! Ok I’ll Stick To Home Inspections And Leave The Comedy Alone

Looks Like I’m Going To Have A ‘Fun-Gi’ Day! Ok I’ll Stick To Home Inspections And Leave The Comedy Alone

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#35

More Water Is Going Up Than Down!

More Water Is Going Up Than Down!

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Jaclyn
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a really easy fix. Just use some thread tape to make the seal on the joints tighter. I'm an amateur (as in complete novice) DIY gal and I just had to deal with this when attaching a new shower head. Took less than five minutes.

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#39

Holy Duct! You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Fire Waiting To Happen!

Holy Duct! You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Fire Waiting To Happen!

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Kira Okah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Impressive duct, certainly a fire hazard. Not sure where people are getting the "duct tape" idea though, no one mentioned duct tape.

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#41

When You Don’t Fit On Your Bike, Just Cut The Floor Joists!

When You Don’t Fit On Your Bike, Just Cut The Floor Joists!

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#42

Well Now, This Is Not Good!

Well Now, This Is Not Good!

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#44

This Listing Agent Said They Have The Furnace Serviced Every Year!

This Listing Agent Said They Have The Furnace Serviced Every Year!

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#45

New Construction Full Of Mold. See The Date On The Sheetrock 4/20

New Construction Full Of Mold. See The Date On The Sheetrock 4/20

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#46

Guess What’s Holding This Deck To The House...scary

Guess What’s Holding This Deck To The House...scary

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#48

Osha Approved!

Osha Approved!

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Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If three threads are fine, four as well. If four are fine, five must also be OK. If five... etc.

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#49

Much Easier Than A 3 Point Turn

Much Easier Than A 3 Point Turn

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#50

May I Have A Scoop Of What’s In Attic Rafter Bay 1 And Bay 2 And Bay 3

May I Have A Scoop Of What’s In Attic Rafter Bay 1 And Bay 2 And Bay 3

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#51

Help Wash Off The Electric Panel!

Help Wash Off The Electric Panel!

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#52

Not As Worried About The Duct Taped Sewer Pipe As I Am About The Amount Of Beer Someone Drinks!

Not As Worried About The Duct Taped Sewer Pipe As I Am About The Amount Of Beer Someone Drinks!

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#53

Maybe Just Fill The Holes!

Maybe Just Fill The Holes!

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#58

Measure Twice

Measure Twice

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone's going to have fun picking their winter clothes out of the rubble when the house collapses

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#59

Looking Up An Unlined Chimney Flue

Looking Up An Unlined Chimney Flue

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#60

I Guess That Works!

I Guess That Works!

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#61

Not A Great Place To Hang Around!

Not A Great Place To Hang Around!

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#62

Good Thing They Only Live On The 1st Floor!

Good Thing They Only Live On The 1st Floor!

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#68

It’s Not The Hole In The Roof That Bothers Me..it’s Who Shot The Arrow?

It’s Not The Hole In The Roof That Bothers Me..it’s Who Shot The Arrow?

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#69

Listing Sheet Did Say ‘Has A Deck’

Listing Sheet Did Say ‘Has A Deck’

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Memere
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#70

Why?

Why?

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Chich
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Hey Benny. Got a real deal on some filters but there's just one problem.'

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#71

Got My Cousin To Wire The Garage Lights!

Got My Cousin To Wire The Garage Lights!

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#72

And The Homeowner Is Breathing This!!!

And The Homeowner Is Breathing This!!!

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#74

Still Live And Still Working!

Still Live And Still Working!

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Kevin Camp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buss fuses like these were never the problem, people being too cheap to replace a blown one and putting a penny under it to bypass a blown fuse were the problem.

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#76

When One Is Just Not Enough!

When One Is Just Not Enough!

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ComfyPanda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok. Is it just me, or do the things on the bottom look like those Lego pieces you put down for the Lego building foundation?!?!?!

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#77

Yes Zip Ties Fix Everything!

Yes Zip Ties Fix Everything!

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#80

Short On Bricks??

Short On Bricks??

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#81

Clean Or Dirty Snacks?

Clean Or Dirty Snacks?

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Kayla J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've actually known more than one person who used their dishwasher more as a cupboard than it's intended usage since they were so used to just washing their dishes by hand.

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#82

Wedges Under The Floor Joists Work

Wedges Under The Floor Joists Work

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R D
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could be worse, they could have tried to use lego.......oh!

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#84

What A Cool Pic

What A Cool Pic

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#87

Let’s Make A Sweater!

Let’s Make A Sweater!

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#90

How Many Young Kids Know What This Is For?

How Many Young Kids Know What This Is For?

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#92

Oh, I’m Sure That Is Safe!

Oh, I’m Sure That Is Safe!

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Walter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it's unsafe but am I the only one who still thinks that's kind of cool?

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#93

Thank God For Home Depot!

Thank God For Home Depot!

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#94

Found On Yesterday’s Inspection And Still Working!

Found On Yesterday’s Inspection And Still Working!

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#99

Sometimes You Just Wonder Why?

Sometimes You Just Wonder Why?

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CATMONSTER2018
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Easily accessible from the window. Over the front door... I feel like the only time you would be able to use it would be an April 1st

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#101

Adjustable Drain!

Adjustable Drain!

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Jim Price
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once moved into a house to discover the kitchen plumbing was all new PVC pipe which was nice. Not one single piece had been glued together... some genius had pushed the pipes together and called it good enough, which was NOT nice. I reached for a bottle of cleanser, tapped against the U joint, and three pieces fell off. I had to use an overturned bucket to keep everything together while I looked into contacting the seller... who had vanished. Many other issues came to light very soon after.

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#103

Well This Did Not Work Out Too Well!

Well This Did Not Work Out Too Well!

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a cute little robot sticking its head through the wall and peering through the handrail

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#106

Crushing It!

Crushing It!

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#108

Everybody Needs One Of These In Their Basement!

Everybody Needs One Of These In Their Basement!

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#110

So Many Things Wrong! Should We Start With The ‘State Of Art’ Non Code Compliant Flue Pipe Or The Fact That The Expansion Tank Is Not A Water Heater?

So Many Things Wrong! Should We Start With The ‘State Of Art’ Non Code Compliant Flue Pipe Or The Fact That The Expansion Tank Is Not A Water Heater?

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only problem is the flue vent. Those look like the kind of silly notes realtors put on things, and they can't be expected to understand that the heating boiler also provides domestic hot water.

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#111

...and You Said A Permit Was Issued?

...and You Said A Permit Was Issued?

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#112

Scary!

Scary!

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Gyro Pilot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Left in place for character. Notice retro-added support from the posts on either side

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#114

Yep, That Should Keep The Kids And Drunk Friends From Falling!

Yep, That Should Keep The Kids And Drunk Friends From Falling!

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#115

Job Done!

Job Done!

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Smitten Kitten
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was an attempt to secure it with a nail on the right hand side, but probably proved way too much work.

#116

Only In Southie! A South Boston Fire Escape

Only In Southie! A South Boston Fire Escape

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#117

It’s Frost Proof, Not Freeze Proof!

It’s Frost Proof, Not Freeze Proof!

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure someone ran something into it. When they freeze, they split the stem tube inside, not the outer casting. Ask me how I know...

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#118

That Washing Machine Drain Pipe Almost Made It Into The Pan

That Washing Machine Drain Pipe Almost Made It Into The Pan

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ComfyPanda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh almost or "close" only counts with horse shoes and hand grenades people!!!

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#120

Service Technicians Nightmare! Wait Until The Furnace Needs To Be Replaced

Service Technicians Nightmare! Wait Until The Furnace Needs To Be Replaced

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MAL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was on that job, I'd at least double the labor cost. That's ridiculous.

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#121

Where Do You Store Your Chairs, Ladder, Extra Bricks And Of Course Your Canoes?

Where Do You Store Your Chairs, Ladder, Extra Bricks And Of Course Your Canoes?

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Jaclyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like they're using the bricks to hold down the roof...

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#122

The Ice Maker That Keeps Giving!

The Ice Maker That Keeps Giving!

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#123

The Parties Will Have To Wait!

The Parties Will Have To Wait!

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LynzCatastrophe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... this actually looks exactly like my parents house. Every little detail. Before we tore it down because it dropped from one of the support columns.

#124

When The Listing Agent Says The Seller Is A Contractor So You Shouldn’t Find Any Problems...

When The Listing Agent Says The Seller Is A Contractor So You Shouldn’t Find Any Problems...

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Damon Hill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Inspectors don't always look at work done by contractors because, well, they're supposed to be pros. I'm renovating a 1920 bungalow and the inspector actually inspects everything I do and if anything is off he tells me why and makes sure it's up to code or better. So far a couple extra nail guards has been the only issue.

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#126

Nothing Can Go Wrong With This!?!

Nothing Can Go Wrong With This!?!

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#129

Just Blowing Off A Little Steam!

Just Blowing Off A Little Steam!

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somebody needs to check that the expansion tank has any air in it. That's a common root-cause of pressure-relief leakage.

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#131

Love The Velcro Flap!

Love The Velcro Flap!

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#132

Hmmm..mistake Or Intentional?

Hmmm..mistake Or Intentional?

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing unusual. Seen many offsets in attics. Where it comes thru the ceiling is not where it needs to go thru the roof.

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#133

Shouldn’t The Microwave Hood Be Installed Over The Stove?

Shouldn’t The Microwave Hood Be Installed Over The Stove?

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#134

Set At A Height To Prevent Children And Pets From Interfering With The Door Closing!

Set At A Height To Prevent Children And Pets From Interfering With The Door Closing!

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#135

It’s A Nice They Are Using An Energy Saving Lightbulb

It’s A Nice They Are Using An Energy Saving Lightbulb

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

K**b and tube! If it's any consolation, the fabric electrical tape suggests that splice was added-on 60 years ago.

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#136

Nailed It!!

Nailed It!!

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#137

Well Now... I Thought I Was In The City!

Well Now... I Thought I Was In The City!

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Becky Klebe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turkeys are everywhere year-round in Massachusetts, but usually in flocks. The ones in my city seem to know about crosswalks, too, oddly enough.

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#138

When One Just Isn’t Enough!

When One Just Isn’t Enough!

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Stephen Wild
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That whole panel is a house fire waiting to happen. I see a number of issues besides the main one that would give me the heebie-jeebies....

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#141

Well, At Least They Used A Gfi

Well, At Least They Used A Gfi

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#142

Deck Building -101

Deck Building -101

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#144

Wonder What The Code Is?

Wonder What The Code Is?

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MAL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Code is 1234. Those are the cleanest buttons, but it's hard to tell.

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#145

Guess What Somebody Forgot?

Guess What Somebody Forgot?

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The shower pipe is probably built into the wall. I have seen that done many times. The shower head is obviously above, and not in the picture.

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#149

So Much For Clearance! The Maintenance Guy Will Love This

So Much For Clearance! The Maintenance Guy Will Love This

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