Angel’s Home Inspection Adventures - Exposed Electrical Wiring

Hi - I am Baby Angel Unicorn. I am “stuffed” in all of our home inspectors tool bags by “The Old Man”. Yes, there are clones of me. Some may be excited about that, others may not. I will do my best to win them over and provide you with important information concerning the possible condition of your home. Our goal is to teach you about issues having to do with function, safety, maintenance and other concerns about your home. If you are considering placing your home on the market you should first locate and consider addressing these issues. Even better to do so long before then. Some may help market your home and others prevent disparity in due diligence negotiations hopefully simplifying your transaction. Need help with condition, pre-listing or pre-purchase home inspections? Check out www.chrisdhilton.com.

Inspector Doug Simmons placed me in this kitchen cupboard saying there is something wrong here. Angel, can you find it. Hint, it’s yellow. My mane and tail have YELLOW!  Yellow, yellow, yellow, Oh, that wire is YELLOW! The wire matches my mane and tail. WOW, we match. Mama would be so proud. Hey Doug, that wire can’t be there can it? Well, obviously it is there and someone screwed up. Do you find lots of screw ups on the houses you inspect? Yes, Angel, unfortunately we find way too many. 

Simply stated if you can see electrical wiring anywhere in finished space, no mater the color, it is wrong. Even in unfinished space unless it is above six feet high or within the cavity of a stud wall through holes in the wood studs. In unfinished space, like a basement, it can’t be stapled on the under side of the exposed floor joist, it must be through holes drilled in the floor joist. 

Inspector Doug, why is this so? This wiring is subject to potential damage and must be protected. The last resource is called conduit and it can be a specific type plastic or steel pipe the wire runs through for protection. If the wire were to become damaged it could burn or electrocute someone, cause serious injury or a fire which could injure or kill the occupants of the home.

Wiring is allowed to be exposed in attics and crawlspaces secured by cable staples. 

Oh WOW Inspector Doug, I think we should put this in the report. Yes, Angel, a wise choice I think our client would desire to know this. 

For more detailed information on this subject click here 

Have you seen Diva Sable? She has no time for home inspections or electrical issues. She has been know to climb up attic pull down stairs where heating and air conditioning technicians were installing her new duct and heat pump system in the city. She loves to hide, be rambunctious and to roll in the dirt but can get up and almost immediately be clean. She loves sitting in her city condo talking to the birds outside and under the bird feeder on the mountain until the bear steals it again. That bear is a menace for bird feeders and kitties. She does not like cold, wet, windy or dogs. She loves deli roast beef, bacon and cookies. 

Sable, Professor April and Baby Angel Unicorn