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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.

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.

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#5

Just A Cool Set Of Stairs

Just A Cool Set Of Stairs

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helenbcora avatar
Layla Corman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't most stairs look like this? I know both sets in my home do, but are covered by a wall. My lower level stairs have a closet under them.

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

These stairs are lovely. It looks like it's floating, but the moldings are hiding the parts that anchor it into the wall, is my bet, and if not, then the craftsmanship in the "free" stairs? I grew up in a house with those kind, and they're safe. Good carpentry in our case. Hidden supports in this one, my gramps would say...

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

I think this is actually a nifty design choice. It adds texture and character to an otherwise awkward no use space.

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people just slap some drywall there and make it a closet (under the stairs). It’s refreshing when it’s not.

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

They look good, I give them that. But as a tall person, I hit my head way too many times to not being able to see the hazards here....

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

this is how I build stairs in Minecraft thankfully blocks float

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

Nothing wrong with floating stairs. There are 4" I-beams anchoring them to a load bearing grid. The problem I have is the design. It looks like someone stacked drawers from an antique dresser.

pebs_1 avatar
pebs
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. I don't know where many commentators live, but for example in Italy and in many European countries it is perfectly common to see floating stairs, even stairs of many floors, in apartment buildings, even with marble steps. You just need to know how to build them and they last practically forever.

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

There is no problem here, they are just cool stairs.

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

I don't see it. What's wrong with it? Ok, it looks bad, but it's still functional.

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Nothanks L. Walk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've played enough games to know those stairs pull into the wall slowly when you step on them.

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maijaelisabeth avatar
Elisabeth Høgset
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand? Are you suggesting that people actually have freezing temperatures in their houses? (If that's even what you're getting at). Otherwise that would just be a silly hypothetical problem.

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

They are so unusual but beautiful. I would love to see the stairs from the other angle.

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

Saw something like this once and some of those steps had a drawer in it - great for hidden storage.

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

The stairs stringer is simply covered by decorative moulding. This is a relatively short span and an intermediate vertical support is not necessary.

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

U never know when the world turns upside down. U still got useable stairz

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

Does anyone else feel like they stepped into the movie Labyrinth? Goblin King should be running up or is it down the underside of the stairs!

maijaelisabeth avatar
Elisabeth Høgset
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many commenters here worrying about ridiculous issues, like the edges being to sharp, the stairs being to easy to fall in, or the stairs themselves falling down. I'm suprised you don't live in padded houses, and walk around with bicycle helmets on all day.

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

They look like drawers 👌 the only good thing about it...

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

A few armchair civil engineers in here lol. These kind of single-support stairs can be perfectly safe, as a cantilevered beam design. They do need to be designed and supported properly however.

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

There are more church stairs far more scary to the edgy than this. There's on in NM I think that is phenomenal.

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

looks like stairs i would make in minecraft while trying to save supplies

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

This would be really, really cool if some of those were drawers, you could store some of those Christmas ornaments there out of the way.

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

Each step has its own secret cubbyhole to hide your favorite doggy outfits for the family doggo.

johnmckee avatar
john mckee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what would be cooler if the "stairs" were actually drawers for storage as well.

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dido74
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous ... would be even better if some were drawers!!

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

You could use those for drawers. So much storage would be incredible

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

For those times when your world is turned upside down

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

it would be nice if there were pillars holding it up. ahem.... not any looking like the ones under this

pebs_1 avatar
pebs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the pillars? If the floating stair is well constructed it will stand up by itself. The problem here is the look, it looks like it's made of drawers.

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"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."

#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.

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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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#12

This Was Sent To Me From Masong187!

This Was Sent To Me From Masong187!

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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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#40

When You Run Out Of Shims!

When You Run Out Of Shims!

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Note: this post originally had 150 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.