100 Super Scary Home Inspector Nightmare Photos

That’s the definition of “hard water.” On the plus side, the water spraying out should soon melt the icicle. Might be time for a new faucet and maybe to install a freeze detector in the house.

Come on down to Bob’s Really Good Surgery Shack! This week’s special is brain transplants! Actually, this might provide pretty good shop lighting in the garage. Plus, check out these 16 cheap garage storage projects you can DIY.

Picture yourself as a mouse with your honey out for an evening stroll… Quality mousetrap placement is the key-not quantity.

Well, covering the vent with tape stopped the cold air. The only problem is that it also defeated the purpose of having make-up air in the first place, which is to keep the occupants from being asphyxiated. Add this to the list of furnace repairs needed.

What a good idea. Just move all the paper towels, soaps and potions out of the way and you’ll have instant access to your breaker panel. Learn what you need to know about breaker box safety.

Does something look unsteady in this photo to you? We thought so too. Here’s how to fix this very issue.

Nope, this guy just doesn’t have all his bricks. He should probably learn how to tuckpoint.

Wonder why you’d even need the 2×4 cribbing when you have a ratchet strap doing the job! Wonder if the painting will get done before the fall. Renting a lift would be a lot safer approach.

So you take a hockey puck and hold it in place while you foam it in. Brilliant! There are better ways to repair and replace soffit.

Who thinks it’s cute to have red squirrels in the attic? Rodents in and around the house are something to take seriously.

It never hurts to double check the arrows when you install a new filter. Life’s easier if you go with the flow.

Can you imagine trying to trim this thing? Or shut a door or window? Maybe it’s time to build a new porch.

And it’s called galvanic corrosion. But it can be prevented if you connect dissimilar pipes the right way.

What’s weird about this is that it appears that the drain parts are brand new. Installing drain lines and p-traps under a sink doesn’t normally call for duct tape. Don’t miss these shocking discoveries found in pipes. 

Those NFL jerseys need washing after game day. A nice hot flue will take care of the drying. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Maybe it’s time to repair the dryer.

Wonder why a shorter water heater would help? (Could of put the writing backward on his forehead too.) At least he’ll have a convenient reminder when it comes time for a new water heater.

We think it got very hot for a very long time here and the plastic blades sagged. There’s no fix’n it. Time to install a new ceiling fan.

This is just a temporary solution until the 10”-thick slab is poured. Install an attic ladder as a handy way to use your rafter space in the garage. Don’t miss these secrets home inspectors won’t tell you. 

We’ve been through this before. Don’t use those stupid flexible plastic drain lines! If you have this kind of plumbing you better learn to how to clear clogged drains.

Here’s a perfect illustration of just about everything that shouldn’t be used for plumbing repair. What do you think? ShooGoo? Regardless, this tops the charts for home inspector nightmares.

We think this is a way to turn on a light switch to a room that has no access but not sure! Believe it or not, there are electronic ways to remotely operate lights with wireless switches.

No, this isn’t a trash can. I think a good chimney cleaning is in order.

This would have been fine with only a few cleverly angled 90-degree elbows, and no vinyl at all. You won’t find this method in most dryer vent installation stories.

There are always options when it comes to buying a toilet—some better than others. Don’t miss these things to never flush down the toilet.

Once Warren caught the recycle/re-use bug, he just couldn’t stop. Even going to the extent of breaking the fill valve on his toilet for a chance to re-use this plastic container. Might be even smarter to replace the fill valve with a new kit.

Whoever goes up this ladder has more courage than brains. Maybe it would have been smarter to rent a lift for the day.

Nothing wrong here, really.

Just guessing, but we don’t think this is how a mini-split works. But the real question for this home inspector nightmares is, does it actually keep the room cool?

Well, I hope it’s at least treated plywood. There are very rigorous standards when it comes to building egress window wells.

Lots of bad bricks here that a little tuckpointing may have prevented. At least it matches the rest of the chimney. Find out some of the craziest things found during home inspections.

Another clever use for a five-gallon bucket, just prior to kicking the bucket. Please be careful with extension ladders, folks.

Here’s one theory. Frost on the underside of the roof deck is melting and wetting the insulation. A hot can light below is drying out the area around it.

It’s cracked like the Liberty Bell. But this cracked chimney liner needs to be repaired to prevent a chimney fire.

It’s never a good idea to hang a ceiling fan from electrical cable only. They make ceiling fan braces that make the job safe and easy.

Some repairs are so neat and well executed that you barely even notice them. Not this one, though.

At least until you get to the store for a new pop-up drain assembly. Or maybe it’s time to install a new vanity sink.

What in the world made a thing like this happen? Whatever it was, it calls for a new outlet install.

Did you know that freezing water exerts 50,000 pounds per square inch? That’s a pretty good reason to winterize irrigation systems.

I’ve got a great idea! We don’t need new flooring under the rug. Nobody will ever know. 

Not only is this chimney badly deteriorated, it’s almost completely missing any clay or metal liner. This is the poster child for why you should have your chimney inspected.

Vinyl dryer vent hose is such a bad idea on so many levels. So a smooth metal dryer vent is the best solution, hands down.

Yep, let’s have over a couple of dozen neighbors for a really fun evening. Or tear off this disaster waiting to happen and build a deck properly.

Yes, attic venting is important. This, however, might be a bit much. Maybe trying to save on shingles?

I know it’s called a “garbage disposal” but I think someone’s taking that a bit too literally. Might be due for a replacement.

Stairs are tricky to layout for the neophyte deck builder. But it’s easier than you think to get it right with a few stair building instructions.

Let thee count the ways… Broken chimney cap, missing mortar and bricks, all that’s gonna cause a few leaks. This chimney needs some major repairs.

Marion loved the smell of her cooking so much, it seemed a waste to vent all of the wonderful aromas outside. Generally, most people would prefer kitchen venting to exhaust outside the house. These are the 16 things all smart homeowners do once a year. 

Pretty sure this wiring system won’t pass the electrical inspection. There are right and wrong ways to hang a ceiling light, and this is the wrong way.

This tile was undoubtedly installed over greenboard instead of cement board and is completely falling apart. Regrouting isn’t an option.

Maybe the in-ground pool sprung a leak? Or just maybe this was a first time retaining wall builder. Regardless, it’s time to bone up on building a retaining wall.

And you’ll see a very conveniently located outlet right where it’s needed. There are several things to keep in mind when you’re roughing in wiring. Check out the 35 things every homeowner needs to know.

I’ll bet the house feels a bit humid. A dryer vent is one of the many things in your home that needs regular cleaning.

OK think about it. This guy grounded to a PLASTIC COATED gas line. Unless they changed the rules, plastic is a non-conductor. How many other electrical mistakes do you suppose you would find in this house?

This breaker is rated for both aluminum (AL) and copper (CU) wires. But that rating didn’t prevent this aluminum wire connection from loosening and getting hot enough to melt the plastic insulation. Here are 10 items to never buy if you want to have a clutter-free home.

Determined to find out if carbon monoxide was at fault for his poor cable reception, uncle Walter devised a plan…

Guess it’s OK if you block it with cardboard. While we’re on heating systems, how about a primer on efficient heating.

After mom and dad moved out, the toddlers decided to make the bathroom more user-friendly. But when they grow up they’re gonna have to install a new shower.

Why not just duct tape it near the attic vent. Why wouldn’t that do the trick?

Well that’s one way to keep the rain away from your furnace. But there are official rain caps that you can buy at the home center.

Not a bad idea to have a switch on the new disposer. As long as you don’t have to open the cabinet door to get at it-and that it’s properly installed!

Granted, this is quite a clever setup. But it seems like it might be less work to fix the ice-dam problem!

Bonus: You can visit with your toddler while your taking care of business. If the door opened the correct way, there would have been no scribing required.

Just because it fits, doesn’t mean it’s a fuse. Yes, copper tubing will conduct electricity, but this is VERY dangerous! And I feel an eerie presence of the ghost of Charles Darwin…don’t let it happen to you!

Use up all that scrap 2×4. This might work structurally, but it’s definitely not the right way to frame a wall.

If you’ve got some spare time on your hands, give this a try. Otherwise installing a new door might be an easier fix.

Believe it or not, there are regulations regarding the distance between your tub and a light fixture. If you’d rather move the whirlpool tub than the light fixture.

Maybe it’s time for a water quality test. Or maybe it’s time to look into water softeners.

If you’re painting metal, do the prep work the right way. That way your artwork will stand the test of time.

How in the world can a tank get put on backwards? Maybe read the directions the next time you install a new toilet.

To use the bottom outlet, simply snip the plug off your device and stick in the bare wires. These home inspector nightmares are truly mind boggling.

I’m not certain how much weight that jack stand is rated for, but I’m pretty sure a house is a bit over the limit. It’s important to understand load-bearing posts.

Yeah, this exhaust vent will get rid of some burned bacon smoke, but with that kink, not so much. And imagine the condensation issues. 

Just because pipes come in all kinds of different shapes doesn’t mean you need to use them all on one job.

Stacking more cheap filters don’t add up to higher efficiency filtration. Best to buy the filter that fits your furnace. Here are 14 smart things all homeowners should do once a month.

Just what on earth supports the top of the stringers. This builder could benefit by studying up on how to build stairs.

You decide. Whatever it is, the kitchen venting system coulda used a little more thought.

Clever why? Well it’s the shower curtain tension rod silly. It’s easy to violate electrical codes if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Can you imagine how this guy felt when he opened the drawers for the first time? A little kitchen planning never hurts. That would have done the trick.

Do NOT look this mess in the eye! You’ll turn to stone! I think these supply lines could be a bit shorter. Plus the water pressure is bound to be affected.

I don’t think this shower would meet the new low-flow requirements. But it’s sure makes a nice set of grab bars.

Genius! With this setup, you can wash your hands and your feet at the same time! A small bathroom requires a certain amount of planning.

Great way to save a trip to the appliance parts store. But the next water heater repair may require more than a beer can. This is what you need to know before doing a final walk-through.

Little Johnny got a magnifying glass for his birthday and set out to harness the power of the sun and melt the neighbor’s house. Obviously, this house is in need of some siding replacement!

The studs have completely rotted away leaving only the stucco to do the support work. Sistering new studs alongside the old ones would solve the problem. And if you have a similar problem with your floor framing, you can sister floor joists too.

The desk fan pointing towards a roof vent is one thing. You just can’t run cable willy-nilly wherever you want…

Maybe it works-maybe it doesn’t. Is the whole system properly vented or not?

Spray foam can be used for many things. Flashing is not one of them.

Cleverly positioned 3-way switches for you want to control the same light with your left and right hand at the same time. Or maybe this guy wants to turn the lights off when sitting on the toilet perhaps?

Here’s a quick way to add some humidity to a dry room. Just run the downspout into your return air! And better yet use conventional ductwork.

Installing your own siding isn’t all that hard to do. Providing you’ve got plenty of room for your ladders and scaffolding.

Not willing to be outwitted by a water heater, Jim decided that the TPR (temperature, pressure relief) valve should only drip when he wanted it to drip. A TPR valve is an important safety feature, and the photo shown above is NOT an appropriate solution! 

There are a multitude of things that shouldn’t be put down the toilet. Unfortunately, we’ll never find out what happened here.

Determined to have Martha’s mouse-pelt coat ready for Christmas, Karl set about the task with never-before-seen enthusiasm. There are many ways to get rid of mice in your home.

This DIYer wasn’t taking any chances installing these shingles. Yup, he caulked between every single joint.

Maybe it used to serve a function before they walled it off? Actually we think it was a plumbing access panel.

It may look smart. But you’re not allowed to run your sump pump discharge into your home’s sewer pipes. This is another example of someone who should study up on the right way to cure a damp basement problem.

Make sure when you install a smoke alarm, it’s not doing double-duty as a doorstop. Placement of smoke alarms is super-important.

The cheapest, easiest-to-install, urinal on the planet. And no water supply lines required. But next time maybe you should read up on how to plumb a basement bathroom.

Honey? I’m sure it’s a coincidence, but it seems like the kitchen floor has a dip in it ever since you put in the garage door opener. Beware of home inspector nightmares in which the home has structural issues!

We think the idea here is to plug in an extension cord and use it to fire up another circuit. Maybe it’d be a little better to simply add another circuit. Next, these are the home improvement fails that will make you cringe.