Drywall is well known for covering a multitude of sins, which is one reason why electricians are fond of saying; be forewarned, if you see something wrong, you know there is going to be a lot more you can’t see. While many may think that the fuse box is one of our favorite places to look, amazingly it is the basement in most cases, especially ones that have been finished with acoustical tiles. Well in some cases that isn’t even necessary as this house I was in this last week, took the cake…
It looks minor but what’s holding the fan up & protecting the wires?
Can I say I am floored? 
It’s amazing what sins drywall will cover – fortunately they never finished the other side (Yes you are seeing that correctly, all the wires were run over the face of the studs & the drywall applied directly over it)
Grounding & common sense is just so highly over rated… 
Anyone seen the wire stretcher around? This wire seems just a tad short… 
Generally this is the type of hidden issues we only find after ripping the drywall off but fortunately because they forgot their wire stretcher… 
Shoot, where’s the fuse box? Holy Shiate… 
Amazingly it is live, but at least the pipes won’t freeze… 
Unfortunately many of these issues are pretty common, though they are generally hidden better in attics, crawl spaces, basement ceilings, and behind drywall. If you ever spot something similar in your house, it would be wise to call in a licensed electrician to inspect your house (not a home inspector or handyman).
This is great. I am so glad to see there is another electrician out there in the universe who is concerned, and runs across this crap on a regular basis. Keep up the good work, showing people what they are missing!
Peter McCarthy, President
Peter McCarthy Electric Co., Inc
Thanks for chiming in Peter & no worries – this type of hackalicious work is not limited to just a few areas, it is everywhere. I hate to break it to you though, I am not a sparky, merely a GC who hires licensed pros to get the job done right.
By the way, that is some nice clean work you have on your site & some interesting articles – if you are interested in doing a guest post here just drop me a line
Thank you much. We do try to do the best work we can. I would be honored to do a post. I really have to struggle to keep up with the blog. I have just finished doing a total rewire on a decent sized home (4700 sq ft) in one of the more affluent suburbs of the city. We just wrapped up today. I was very proud of the guys. It was a 1913 knob and tube system. Amazing that this type of completely ungrounded system can still be in place in 2012. That suburb is very far from our normal working area, and the client found us online and hired us because of our expertise in old wiring. That really made me feel good, that we are becoming recognized for this specialty. I am glad, like you, I’m sure, to do a blog because after many years, its nice to be able to share your knowledge and experience. Its also good to be able to have pictures to illustrate the things that the client is not really understanding just from your words.
Thanks again for reaching out. Have a great weekend!
Heh, yeah it is amazing the time it takes sometimes keeping a blog going. Thanks & sweet, I shot you an email. Happy Fathers Day
Happy Fathers Day to you as well, SLS. And Happy Fourth of July as well! I am going to be more diligent in keeping up with my blogging. There is so much to be done out there!
The under the floor wiring is always my favorite. I’ve come across it a few times, and I have yet to figure out how anyone could think that it was a good idea. Between the drywall and the studs too… actually, common sense could get rid of most of these problems. Too bad more people don’t have it.
Unfortunately as the saying goes – common sense just isn’t that common. I can imagine you do see quite a few during fit-outs & tenant improvements where the facility maintenance personal did what was needed to get something done. It’s great also seeing another company that uses the zero punch list approach – nice site & thanks for stopping in & leaving a comment
This is great. I am so glad to see there is another electrician out
there in the universe who is concerned, and runs across this crap on a
regular basis. Keep up the good work, showing people what they are
missing!
Hey Tom!
I agree whole-hardheartedly with you! There are way too many folks out there doing it wrong or half-*ssed. It’s up to guys like us to spread the word and point these hack jobs out to our customers. All too often, the nightmares are hidden under drywall, in the attic or behind a cabinet.
I’m very glad to see you are one who cares as well. I invite you to follow my blog if you wish. I’d welcome your readership and comments. It can be found at http://www.hydeparkelectric.com. I also have a Facebook page at Peter McCarthy Electric Co., Inc. I welcome anyone interested in learning more about keeping electrical wiring safe to join in!
Another Monday is here. Let’s get to work!
Peter
This is most informative blog.I like this blog.tis is good job I really liked
This is great. I am so glad to see there is another electrician out
there in the universe who is concerned, and runs across this crap on a
regular basis. Keep up the good work, showing people what they are
missing!
Excellently amazing and exciting too. Can you please mention me the source of your reference… This is most informative blog.I like this blog.tis is good job I really liked.I am happy that at least somebody gave this subject an attention.
This is great. I am so glad to see there is another electrician out
there in the universe who is concerned, and runs across this crap on a
regular basis. Keep up the good work, showing people what they are
missing!
The under the floor wiring is always my favorite. I’ve come across it a few times, and I have yet to figure out how anyone could think that it was a good idea. Between the drywall and the studs too… actually, common sense could get rid of most of these problems. Too bad more people don’t have it.
Unfortunately as the saying goes – common sense just isn’t that common. I can imagine you do see quite a few during fit-outs & tenant improvements where the facility maintenance personal did what was needed to get something done. It’s great also seeing another company that uses the zero punch list approach – nice site & thanks for stopping in & leaving a comment
This is great. I am so glad to see there is another electrician out there in the universe who is concerned, and runs across this crap on a regular basis. Keep up the good work, showing people what they are missing!
Peter McCarthy, President
Peter McCarthy Electric Co., Inc
Thanks for chiming in Peter & no worries – this type of hackalicious work is not limited to just a few areas, it is everywhere. I hate to break it to you though, I am not a sparky, merely a GC who hires licensed pros to get the job done right.
By the way, that is some nice clean work you have on your site & some interesting articles – if you are interested in doing a guest post here just drop me a line
Thank you much. We do try to do the best work we can. I would be honored to do a post. I really have to struggle to keep up with the blog. I have just finished doing a total rewire on a decent sized home (4700 sq ft) in one of the more affluent suburbs of the city. We just wrapped up today. I was very proud of the guys. It was a 1913 knob and tube system. Amazing that this type of completely ungrounded system can still be in place in 2012. That suburb is very far from our normal working area, and the client found us online and hired us because of our expertise in old wiring. That really made me feel good, that we are becoming recognized for this specialty. I am glad, like you, I’m sure, to do a blog because after many years, its nice to be able to share your knowledge and experience. Its also good to be able to have pictures to illustrate the things that the client is not really understanding just from your words.
Thanks again for reaching out. Have a great weekend!
Heh, yeah it is amazing the time it takes sometimes keeping a blog going. Thanks & sweet, I shot you an email. Happy Fathers Day
Happy Fathers Day to you as well, SLS. And Happy Fourth of July as well! I am going to be more diligent in keeping up with my blogging. There is so much to be done out there!
This is great. I am so glad to see there is another electrician out
there in the universe who is concerned, and runs across this crap on a
regular basis. Keep up the good work, showing people what they are
missing!
This is most informative blog.I like this blog.tis is good job I really liked
Excellently amazing and exciting too. Can you please mention me the source of your reference… This is most informative blog.I like this blog.tis is good job I really liked.I am happy that at least somebody gave this subject an attention.