FRIDAY FUNNY: Facility Managers Know Better (We Hope!)

Most of the time, it takes the trained eye of a professional inspector to identify defects or potential hazards within a facility. On some occasions, however, certain maintenance issues are easy to spot. And in private residences, where untrained homeowners act as D-I-Y facility managers, well, the results can sometimes be catastrophes waiting to happen.

Each year, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) releases unusual home inspection discoveries from the field. The photos below were submitted by ASHI Certified Inspectors and published in ASHI’s publication, the ASHI Reporter. Photos appear monthly in ASHI’s “Postcards from the Field” section.

“Some of the most unusual discoveries I’ve made as a home inspector have happened while I was inspecting dark crawl spaces, attics, and roofs,” said Brion Grant, 2008 ASHI president. “From time to time, though, I spot some pretty unusual and potentially dangerous issues simply by walking into a room.”

Monumentally Bad Planning
Electrical outlets come in all shapes and sizes, but even John Fryer, an ASHI Certified Inspector from Oakland, CA, was stumped by this unique contraption. While Silicone Valley (the site of this finding) is lauded as a premier location for creative minds and innovation, this improvised design is more dangerous than ingenious.

ASHI’s founder, Ron Passaro of Bethel, CT, advised the owner of this home to take caution when walking out this door. Watch out, that first step can be a little tricky.


Fun With Water
Each year, ASHI emphasizes the importance of winterizing outdoor faucets as part of an ongoing winter maintenance regimen. While inspecting this home in Hopedale, MA, however, ASHI Certified Inspector Ron Cook concluded that this homeowner did not heed the Society’s advice.

The owner of this home in Bartlett, TN, does not appear to believe in the expression “all things in moderation.” There are six hoses connected to the faucet shown here. ASHI Certified Inspector Brandon Dyles said the homeowner was hoping it would pass as a “sprinkler system.”

KA-BOOM!
The junction box shown here is the “Grand Central Station” of junction boxes with more wires coming and going than ASHI Certified Inspector Garet Denise of Littleton, CO, cared to count. Surprisingly, this is the work of a licensed contractor and was approved by the local municipal inspector.

Oops. A licensed contractor. Reminds me of my first house, which was owned by a former engineer from a company I will mention by initials only: G.E. The kitchen was wired in such a way that the dishwasher would only run when you turned on the wall oven. Needless to say, this gentleman's friendship with the inspector was the only reason he was able to get the Certificate of Occupancy required in order to sell the house. His engineering prowess was certainly dubious, at best.

Have you seen anything like this during your tenure in the facility management profession? Send your photos to us!