There is many a thing I like to see installed by screwing it up.
Drywall is one.
Decking boards would be another.
Kitchen cabinets, with the proper screws.
Guardrails, support joists, long beams - all screwed, or lagged, or bolted to screws - all good when screwed up.
How about when a kitchen cabinet drawer pops off.
Should it be repaired by screwing it up?
Apparently, screwing it up really tightly is very important too.
And don't forget - ALL FOUR CORNERS!
When you're going to screw it up, you want to screw it all up!
This drawer front apparently came off somehow. The drawer carcass still works, sliding back and forth about an inch.
But this cover is no longer attached to the drawer! It is attached to the cabinet! It was screwed up!
But wait! My client's Realtor, one Cindy Jones, pointed out something else.
What's that on the counter above the drawer?
Why, it's a business card.
Let's have a closer look.
Certainly looks like some country bumpkin has come down from way, way out of town to see this house!
As it turns out, I saw that same country bumpkin later the same day.
She did not remember the house. It was on her list of previews one day as she was searching for homes to present to her buying client.
I met that buying client too! She had picked another very nice house not far from this one!
Unfortunately it did not have a screwed up drawer front, but you take'em one at a time and call'em as you see'em!
My recommendation: sometimes you see things you have never seen before. Like a screwed up drawer front! Often it is hard to understand what people are thinking, but when buying a home you might have to take the bad with the good. Overall, if the place is good, don't screw it up! Buy it!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
That is a first...we have a keen appreciation for woodwork...guess this homeowner does not...ouch !
S&D - this is woodwork at its best!
Valerie - you mean like a cracked bath tub with an excellent repair?
That is some form of white goop, repairing a plastic bath tub.
Good morning, Jay.... what are people thinking when they do this type of repair.....what a disaster....
We never know what lurks in the mind of man Barbara. That all-encompassing word includes the chicks...
You are in good company running into Rainmakers everywhere you go.
Oh and you could write a book...nay a tome...on screwed up repairs.
What a shame! That looks like it was a somewhat nice kitchen before some handy manny came around and definitely screwed it up!
Mayhap Debbie! Would love to! Have to find a publisher! But it would be fun. We have lots of rainmakers in this area!
Twas screwed up Kathryn. It will require a new drawer front.
Morning Jay looks like Uncle Bob has struck again. Clint had a post yesterday with some venting issues, looks like Uncle Bob gets around. Enjoy the day
The guy is everywhere James. It does make for a fun day!
Geeeze, at least they could have pre-drilled the holes so they didn't split the drawer front... hacks!
Tight, tight, tight Fred! You know that!
Jay, Sounds like a small world in NorVa with Active Rainers crossing paths all over the place :)
Good morning Jay. I guess if you are srcewing up a drawer go big. Add a split here or there for looks.
Jay, I wonder what else this homeowner repaired them self. This was a visible repair, what about the ones you can't see.
The only thing missing is gobs of glue.
I'm sure you have seen every example of the off beat ways people will try to solve a household repair problem.
When your tube of adhesive is dried up and the duct tape is missing you have to do something.
My thought is that I would not buy a home with a screwed up door UNLESS they were giving it away and I knew exactly where to park the dumpster.
That's one Screwed Up repair job. The repair made it worse than it was before and it looks even worse. I'm sure you see all kinds of "stuff!"
Jay:
What were those home owners think? The cabinets look very nice, but their repair is horrendous. These are people who should never Do It Yourself. Ever.
Jay: I've seen a home that has big 5 or 6 inch nails everywhere ie. to hold curtains back (yes hammered right into the wall), on the bannister to hold something, etc. SHUDDER. I guess SCREWS are one step up even from that.
Jay, Sometimes you just to say "screw it" and be done with it.
I'm surprised I have to say this again: Duck tape. Better than screws.
Debbie ^^^ stole my joke. Seems Northern VA is well represented.
We're all over the place here Bliz. The loan officer in this case is from AR too!
Randy - how do you know it's attached if there aren't four splits!?
Mike - that is always an issue, but there was no real remodeling in the house. Other repairs though! See #3...
Jim - ha! That gobbing was used in the photo in #3!
Jay, that's really a botched home repair job, it's too bad it looks like pretty nice kitchen.
Morgan - just when an inspector thinks he's seen everything, well, something new pops up!
Rob - apparently go with the big guns!
Kathy - I have been by that place many times, but never inside. I love pumpkin pie. Maybe this fall I will pick one up!
C&D - this would fit in the kitchen trash can though!
Jay, that is awful way to fix a cabinet. Did they think no one would notice?
Jan - my job is interesting in that every day practically there is something new!
Evelyn - this is a mess. They are going to try to order a new drawer cover. Hope they can find it!
Hella - screws might be a step up from nails, but sometimes nails look just as, um, attractive!
Good for him Erica! Wouldn't work anyway!
Debbie - it pays to be succint, and brevity is the soul of wit!
Tim - and permanent! Don't forget permanent!
We are Mike, with AR people everywhere!
It'a a great kitchen Adrian! Too bad about this drawer, but it is probably replaceable.
Pamela - they were going for the "it's never gonna fall off again" approach.
Jay, I always enjoy your posts. I actually look forward to them. You always seem to find the craziest stuff, and I'm glad you share it with everyone!
Glad you enjoy it Gary. Some whacky home-related things go on out there!
Good to see you again Jay and though I wish the inspection didn't have blog fodder at least for an REO it wasn't too bad. Hope you had at your next appointment too.
This was the only thing Cindy! Not bad, as you say! I think they will be able to replace the door front.
What's the matter, Jay? Did he run out of duct tape?
Frankly, Susan, I was disappointed as the duct tape would have been such a permanent repair.
Hello Jay,
sometimes I just think that people would be better off if they wouldn't event try to fix things...
Tatyana
Jay, when you have a few screws lying around you may get to be known as someone with a screw loose.
Tatyana - you would fit right in with the home inspector crowd!
Oh Shadow, my Shadow (wait, I think it's your shadow!) - one screw was missing, but the crack was still there! I bet they used really long ones too!
LOL, Jay.
(Do I really get points for that?) .
It is pretty funny John. But what a mess, on the other hand. Don't know about the points!
Jay -- I guess you never know what you will find.. This does really look like a "screw up".. How was the rest of the house?
I love screws...and wish builderts used more of them and less smooth shank nails...just not in drawer fronts...
Not bad Joan. There was an interesting repair in the bathroom, shown in comment #3.
Mike - this front was screwed to the cabinet and the drawer does not work!
Hi Jay,
My buddy makes custom cabinets for a living and I showed him that photo. I think he almost passed out...
-Brent
What Brent, he doesn't screw it up?
Jay,
Actually, I could possibly see that screws might have been the correct fastner for the drawer front... A properly sized and properly installed screw or two "From the inside of the drawer" sure beats those staples used in some cabinetry I've seen.... but it does take just a little thought to do even this simple repair right.
Brad - this front was screwed to the cabinet so the drawer does not work!