Problems solving skills are on full display with these 100 outrageous things homeowners have done to their houses
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Structure Tech
A/C in the Attic
How much time are you really spending in the attic that you have to put in A/C? Joking aside, an A/C unit in the attic can be done but it needs to be installed properly. A/C units generate gallons of condensation that has to drain-outside, not into the attic space. Those condensation tubes should be checked before each cooling season starts. Mold can grow inside and plug up. That’s when you have ceilings getting destroyed.
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Structure Tech
ADA Compliant
It’s hard to say which way is scarier—going up or going down. Seems like a half-hearted effort of becoming ADA compliant. Actually, we’re just messing with you, it’s likely a dog ramp. Check out some easier ways to make a home safer for older folks.
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Structure Tech
Adjustable Support Column
Adjustable support columns like this with steel supporting pins should only be used as temporary support columns, according to an American Society of Home Inspectors article.
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Bad Deck Support
Decks just aren’t something you want to mess around with no matter how high they are off the ground. The risk of harm is great when a deck collapses. Make sure you know the signs of early deck failure or safety hazards.
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Structure Tech
Bad Egress
Nothing about this screams safety or viable emergency escape. It looks bolted to the roof and there’s a chain to help keep it in place. This is one of those scary things home inspectors find, like a beaver in the attic.
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Structure Tech
Bad Deck Support
Something tells us a support system for an upper deck shouldn’t look like a woodpile. Might be a little wobbly on that upstairs landing. Then again, you may be taking flying lessons if you try to use it. Check out these 7 deck building tips to avoid any catastrophe like this.
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Structure Tech
Bad Roof Design
Hmm, hope the gutters work. Maybe who ever constructed this roof tried making some kind of artistic architectural statement. What’s sure is that a roof slanted towards a vertical wall will never work no matter how creative you get with a gutter system. Make cleaning your gutters a lot easier with these 25 gutter hints.
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Structure Tech
Baseboard Heater in Crawl Space
It might sound like a good idea to heat your crawl space in winter to perhaps prevent frozen pipes and warm your house a little more but it’s extremely dangerous. It’s a huge fire hazard and at the end of the day, it’s not going to warm your place any more, at least until the house stops burning. It’s better to insulate the crawl space because it can save you a ton of money and block it to prevent pests from getting in.
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STRUCTURE TECH
Beam Splice Not Over Post at Deck
Somebody’s tape measure must’ve been off when they put together this deck. Looks pretty unsafe considering the splice is only sitting on a sliver of the post. Most building codes require at least one inch of bearing wherever a beam is supported by a post. Fall in love with outdoor amenities like one of these gorgeous outdoor bars.
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Structure Tech
Beam Through Chimney
Yup, that’s a beam going right through a chimney. We’re guessing/hoping the chimney isn’t in use anymore. You’d never find something like this inside the most expensive home in your state.
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Structure Tech
Bedroom Closet Doors
Maybe this is the best way to keep monsters away. Fortunately switching around the door knobs is pretty easy, but then again why do you need locks on closet doors anyway? Generally “passage” locks (no locking mechanism) are used for closet doors. Maybe consult any one of these amazing closet transformation ideas.
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Structure Tech
Bent Outlet Cover
This might deserve a showing in the Museum of Modern Art for how well the outlet cover bent and hasn’t broken. It pays to put some thought into electrical box placement to avoid this stuff from happening. It reminds us of a fan we once saw with similar artistic qualities.
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Secret Vault?
If you want to prevent people from accessing a secret room this isn’t the best way to do that. There are far more creative ways, like these 10 incredible hidden rooms.
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Structure Tech
Boulder Footing
If this boulder wasn’t been used for a footing on a deck we swear we could’ve mistaken it for the brain of the person who came up with this idea. Discover the surefire way to get perfect deck footings with these tips.
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Structure Tech
Buried Oil Tank in Basement
Oil tanks aren’t always easy to spot but this place had one once. It’s been filled in but the tank appears there still. That’s a huge environmental disaster waiting to happen. Make sure a home inspector spots the presence of an old fuel tank when going through the house—there are usually pipes sticking out from the house that will be a telltale sign. This isn’t probably close to the top 10 of craziest things found in a home inspection like these things.
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Cable Through Fence
This one isn’t even funny. High voltage cables snaking through a fence reachable from the ground is death waiting to happen. Whoever this is please call the power company immediately!
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Carpet Over Floor Register
These heat sensor photos can reveal a lot like this one that shows a floor register that has been carpeted over. Seems like quick fix but how do you forget about the register when you re-carpet?
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Structure Tech
Carpet Pad As Insulation
Nothing like making the most of extra material. This homeowner decided to use old carpet padding to insulate over the garage stud walls, which doesn’t really have a great R-value. Plus, it will absorb moisture from the air and turn into a mold factory the first summer. Check out these 10 great tips for insulating walls and try working on some of these items that are fantastic for repurposing.
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