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When homeowners try to save money and trust their know-it-all uncle to fix the cracked floors, they're just inviting trouble. Fortunately, structural inspectors are the ones who notice all the little details when they enter other people's houses. From stairs without handrails to faulty foundations and skeletons in the basement, they find every secret that sellers try so hard to hide.

Take it from this Boston area home inspector who created his own Instagram account just to show you some of the funniest and unbelievable things he's come across during check-ups over the past 25 years.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best photos that will make you feel glad that's not your house. So scroll down, upvote your favorite bizarre finds and make sure to check out Part 1 of this post right here.

#1

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong Here!

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong Here!

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

I lived in a place that caught on fire...that’s probably the most frightened I’ve ever been. Oh, also that time I got lost in the snow in Yosemite. It made me afraid of the outdoors for pretty much the rest of my life.

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We reached out to the creator of the account and the founder of Boston Home Inspectors, Inc., James Brock, who has seen pretty much everything in his line of work. As a business, they are proud of their reputation for thoroughness. They believe that a half-hearted inspection serves no one and put all of their focus on identifying the problems and putting them into proper perspective.

When asked about the inspiration behind the account, Brock told us that the idea was suggested by his daughter when they were out for pizza one day in 2016. "She had been on many inspections over the years to earn some spending money," he said.

"She gave the idea that I should post some of the funny things that we find during the inspections." The thought might have sounded strange at the time, but he decided to try it out. Ever since his first post, the account has grown and reached more than 16.4k followers who enjoy seeing bizarre things the inspectors find every day. 

#2

No Worries About Covid Washing Your Hands At This House!

No Worries About Covid Washing Your Hands At This House!

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When it comes to choosing which images to post on social media, there’s plenty of worthy material out there. The home inspector has captured more than 1500 pictures of questionable scenarios and objects left in plain sight while performing check-ups. Out of those, he has created a library of more than 200 images ready to be shared with the people of the Internet. 

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If you think that’s quite the number of missteps that owners do in order to improve their homes, that’s not even half of it. "There are many funny, crazy and scary things we find that just do not photograph well so we miss out on those," he said. 

#3

Masks Aren’t Saving You From This..yuck!

Masks Aren’t Saving You From This..yuck!

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#4

Mother-In-Law Door!

Mother-In-Law Door!

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

sequence: you fall down, then garage door open, aaaaaand the car rolls over you

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Brock does not want to overwhelm his followers, so he decided to post only one picture a day. The inspector told us that he did not intend for the account to become a place to lecture people on the things they shouldn’t do but rather "wanted the account to be light and funny for the viewer". It’s the place where people can go and relate to the images as homeowners and feel glad that their homes do not look like that.  

The home inspector also enjoys reading the replies of his audience: "Many of the viewers have a great wit and sense of humor. I often find myself saying 'Oh, I wish I would have thought of that comment to write'."

#5

When You Want To Share Your Experiences With Other!

When You Want To Share Your Experiences With Other!

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#6

Who Farted? Oh Wrong Gas Smell!

Who Farted? Oh Wrong Gas Smell!

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

last time I saw that stuff on a pipe I was 65 feet down, in a ship wreck...

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The industry experts are interested in the content James Brock shares, too. He mentioned that sometimes he receives emails from other home inspectors or tradesmen saying "you failed to mention this problem in the background". But the creator has a lighthearted view on such remarks and replies that "this Instagram account is not a written full-fledged report" and shares a few laughs with his colleagues. 

#7

The New Green Gutter!

The New Green Gutter!

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

Thats a freaking forest on the gutter..might find a couple critters too

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#8

No...i Said It Was The Black Wire!

No...i Said It Was The Black Wire!

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Malek Basata
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Him: unplugs a black wire. (also diffuses a bomb somewhere)

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A new home might be one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make and sometimes you can make some costly mistakes. Especially if you don’t know where to look. Having your house professionally checked by a structural inspector might give you information about certain defects that will save you thousands of dollars. 

#10

"Okay Move Along, Move Along People, There's Nothing To See Here!" Only 46 Air Fresheners In The House!

"Okay Move Along, Move Along People, There's Nothing To See Here!" Only 46 Air Fresheners In The House!

bostonhomeinspectors Report

#11

Not What I Was Expecting?

Not What I Was Expecting?

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The experts not only check the main things like structure and exterior of the house and the basement but also windows, doors, fire hazards, appliances and outlets. They find the areas that cause concern and provide the information to the client. As they state on their website, "At the end of the inspection, the inspector will review the detailed report line-by-line and discuss the findings and recommendations. You will have a better understanding of the investment you are about to make."

#14

Snap! Crackle! & Crunch!

Snap! Crackle! & Crunch!

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#15

Riding The Waves To The Bathroom...

Riding The Waves To The Bathroom...

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

The concern is, how did the floor flood because if it happened once, assuming the problem wasn't disclosed, it'll happen again.

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Just remember that your home requires regular maintenance and yearly inspection. So if you wish that pictures of your house do not end up on the Boston Home Inspectors Instagram account, make sure to check the things lurking behind the walls, under decks and in the ceiling. And if you need help, don’t hesitate to contact a professional tradesman who can give you a list of the things you should focus on.

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#27

Just Cut The Deck Posts To Make Your Patio Bigger!

Just Cut The Deck Posts To Make Your Patio Bigger!

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#28

So Close!

So Close!

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#29

Timber!

Timber!

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#30

Nothing Says Happy Mother’s Day Better Than A Whirlpool Bath!

Nothing Says Happy Mother’s Day Better Than A Whirlpool Bath!

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#31

Gilligan’s Deck!

Gilligan’s Deck!

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#32

Good Thing They Have Backup!

Good Thing They Have Backup!

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#33

Kitchen Sink With A Little Lip!

Kitchen Sink With A Little Lip!

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#34

Painting Over The Termites Makes Them Go Away...

Painting Over The Termites Makes Them Go Away...

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#35

But The City Permits Were Signed Off…

But The City Permits Were Signed Off…

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

Just caught mine doing this, only it was leaking in the wall, thank gawd I heard it before it got big

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#37

Live And Still Working Perfectly Fine!

Live And Still Working Perfectly Fine!

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t_d_z avatar
Tarik Dursun Zorgulen
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are actually surprisingly safe. Well, as in they are not the fire hazard you'd expect them to be.

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

Mine looked better than that and I had to call ten electricians before I found one willing to come work on it. Might have had to call more, but we found the one the shady flipper made to sign off on the fraudulent work, so he got threatened with a lawsuit if he didn't come fix it.

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

my father did this back in the 70s, Fuses were 5 cents, save 4 cents! Wonder how we are still alive at times.

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

We had one in our old house we just moved out of and it never did anything close to catching on fire... because it was surrounded by asbestos.

bcgrote avatar
Brandy Grote
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fuses may be fine, but those cloth wrapped cords.... no no no

michaelfuhry avatar
Michael Fuhry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm, it's not so much the box, it's the decaying insulation on all of the k**b and tube you can't see.

albernistuff4sale avatar
albernistuff 4sale
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a brand of circuit breaker sold in Canada that electricians started to refuse to install. Quality control was terrible. Some case you could WELD with the circuit and the breaker wouldn't pop. Other times it would pop if you sneezed. Fuses would be safer in this case

boredpanda_48 avatar
ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this installation is at the newest, 1970s. More likely 1950s or 60s.

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

Considering the cloth insulated wire, this is likely a pre-war installation. Every house I have worked on from the 1950s already have vinyl-insulated wire. My mothers house from 1941 had rubber & cloth insulated wire.

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kevinperry_2 avatar
okpkpkp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

time to upgrade dude unless all you're using is a light bulb. If you have a tv, pooter, alarm clock, stove, you need to upgrade.

anotherlittlething avatar
Jill Pulcifer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We once rented a house with these, blew one in the middle of the night and had a hell of a time finding a replacement. I think I'll take the modern switch flipping.

travisfox avatar
Travis Fox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My question is where on earth to find them to replace them when they go bad???

parthaniadawson avatar
Parthania Dawson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a fuse box in my first house. My insurance company wouldn't insure it if I didn't change to breakers.

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moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes they do. Certain equipment demands the use of fuses instead of circuit breakers for the sake of reliability. It's good to know that the wires probably haven't been overloaded much since only two fuses are the modern Buss style.

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

An actual fuse box! The entire tri cities in Washington has these as all of the government housing for Hanford was built in the 40's Was a shock to change a fuse not flip the breaker.

suegrigg avatar
Sue Grigg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first house bought in the 80s had these. I changed them out as soon as I could afford it.

monkeylove avatar
Monkey Love
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had an apartment in Seattle in the 90's that had those. The box was in the hallway for the whole floor.

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#40

You Need A Home Inspection So Your First Load Isn’t All Over The Place!

You Need A Home Inspection So Your First Load Isn’t All Over The Place!

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

Our laundry room in the basement has the outlets (electrical) at least four feet off the floor!

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Note: this post originally had 120 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.