Anytime you have to find a hiding water heater, there are going to be other hidden surprises.
Here is one.
When I can’t see wiring, and other things I have seen around a house that give me pause, if not fright, I wonder
about them, and want to know. I’m like that. So when I saw this cable duck under things stored in a kitchen cabinet, I wanted to see what I could. So I moved stuff out.
And, after I moved out a bunch of stuff, this is what I found!
Look carefully. Tucked away in that little cavity in the back of the cabinet is the top of a wire nut. It is one of two. They make up this disposal’s connection.
It might be surprising that this has not shorted out by now from water or stored-product spills, but looking carefully you might see the electric tape on the wire nut. I think that effectively sealed it off to no moisture would get inside.
It’s still incorrect!
But tape is obviously better than no tape…
A better installation would have utilized a visible and accessible junction box. I like to see such boxes secured properly to the cabinet, with connector clamps holding the cables to the box. Sometimes I see them fixed to the floor of the cabinet, which is alright but not preferred.
As you already know, there should also have been a connector clamp holding that cable into the bottom of the disposal.
My recommendation: If the connection won’t come to you, sometimes you have to go to the connection. You might be surprised what you find out!
Yuk, that's a lot of muck. Is that picture of you Jay? I bet you were smiling at your momma. Cute.
What a scary sight. Amazing what you find sometimes. I was in house recently where someone had used lamp cord to creat several additionals outlets in a room. No doubt the wires got very hot at times.
Gregg - that whole house was a lot of much! And yes, that is a picture of my sumo wrestler days. Probably smiling at the rubber duckie held by the photog.
Charles - it is amazing how often people do that. I think they figure that if it is good enough for a lamp it has to be good enough for another 14 outlets!
Jay ~ I just love the adventures of a good Home Inspector. They always find the hidden ut oh's... I was talking to a lady yesterday about Harry Home Owner who glued a plastic pipe to metal for hot water and you know the rest of the story. I did of course ask her who he was so that I am sure not to use him for any repairs. It just kills me that she set out to save money and spent money fixing it right plus the mess the pipe made when it burst.
Hi June. It almost always costs when people don't hire true professionals to do work!
Can you connect it directly to the disposal without a junction box?
Do you suppose so many of these safety issues are related to TV DIY shows? Just wondering here.
Jay,
You've got to wonder about some folks... LOL
Mike in Tucson
Jay...that is amazing but common. It is scary how some homes are duct taped together!!
I learn something every time you post and it's always interesting and helpful.
And using a bungee cord slipped their mind? Kate
Fernando - sure, if it reaches!
Dave - I have often wondered that myself. People watch these shows and think they can do things. Sometimes, more often than not, procedures must be followed, particularly with electrical installations.
Mike - I do that, a lot! So, did you kids bury you at the beach in Tucson?
Pat - I see a lot of duct tape too! Like on my previous post, "Move In Condition."
Susan - we try, we try...!
Kate - you would think some people could screw their tops on correctly wouldn't you?
Hey Jay,
One of the many good things about home inspections is the things we find never ceases to amaze.
Eric - this wiring job had obviously been there a while and yet had no problems. It may be my theory that the tape kept things dry, but that is a real bad spot for a spark to happen! I'm sure we will NEVER cease to be amazed, my friend!
Jay,
It looks to me like there is more booing here than peeking.
Steve - that is a good comment that, yes, good! Good time of the season for booooos. I believe we will always be employed...