What could possibly go wrong with work not done to code?
Sometimes, nothing. Other times, leaks, electrical shorts that become fire hazards and windows too small to crawl through in the event of a fire result when homeowners and contractors do work under the radar of code enforcement inspectors.
In no particular order, here are some issues homeowners may encounter when work isn’t properly permitted:
Shower needs to be replaced
Frequently, home flippers wanting to do a remodel on the cheap will hire contractors who give the bathroom a facelift without proper permitting, says Joshua Cutler, president and CEO of Cutler Construction Services in Orange, California.
“They know the work they do is shoddy and not up to code,” he says of contractors who routinely refrain from pulling required permits and avoid inspections. “So we’re going in and ripping these showers apart because the shower pan leaks. It was never properly done.”
Electrical not wired correctly
Shoddy electrical wiring can result in not having enough juice to power a TV and computer simultaneously without blowing a breaker, and it could escalate to a safety hazard.
“Electrical, as you know, is dangerous,” says Thayer Long, CEO of trade association Independent Electrical Contractors, based in Alexandria, Virginia. So, he adds, knowing electrical code and doing work to those specifications is critical.
Windows don’t meet fire code
Sometimes contractors retrofit bedrooms with smaller windows, Cutler says, making them too small to serve as an egress that would allow a quick escape in the event of a fire.
“There’s a very specific reason we have codes like that,” Cutler says, adding they’re meant to protect the health and safety of homeowners.
Walls unstable or drywall cracking
When a contractor doesn’t build to code, it can literally affect work from the foundation up. More minor issues may occur, too, when drywall isn’t hung correctly — or say a homeowner DIYs a new entryway without proper permitting oversight or an inspection.
“We’ve seen ... structural issues where a homeowner all the sudden wanted doors somewhere and just cut holes in the wall,” Cutler says. “Then you end up with sagging joists or wall cracks.”
City fines or an order to redo
It’s commonplace for homeowners to forgo required permits and many contractors play along, or suggest it as a way to save money. But in the off chance that code enforcement authorities flag these violations, homeowners can face fines and penalties that far exceed the cost of the original permit. In addition, the city may require contractors or DIYers to tear out work, such as drywall, and do it over.
Your homeowners insurance might not cover resulting damages
Not all code violations come back to bite the homeowner in the form of shoddy work that needs repair or city fines. But experts say if, for example, a homeowner does electrical work without proper permitting and problems down the road spark a fire, a homeowners policy may not pay for damages.
Article by Michael Shroeder; article found on Angie's List
Use light to make intruders visible
A well lit home is a safe home. The goal of outdoor security lights is to present more risk to an intruder. It does this by making it so they canʼt work in the dark and will thus be more likely to be spotted.
A high risk of detection may be all it takes to motivate them to choose a target elsewhere.
4 Strategies for outdoor security lights (and tips too!)
GENERAL TIP: Outdoor motion-sensitive lights come in two main types. The type most people get is the simple off/on variety. But the other type, “high/low” (also known as “motion-sensitive with ambient light sensor”) can be particularly effective. These lights come on from dawn to dusk (triggered by the ambient light sensor) but at low brightness (to conserve electricity) and then jump to full brightness when the motion sensor triggers.
Strategy 1
Make sure all entrances are lit. If all you have is a porch light on a switch, use it.
TIP: Replace your typical switched porch & other entrance lights with infrared motion-detecting lights.
Strategy 2
Use motion-sensitive lights generously to take away hiding locations and the ability to work undetected.
TIP: Check the aim and settings for each light. When checking the aim, donʼt just look at the bulbs, but also check the aim of the motion sensor.
Strategy 3
Continuing the previous point, make sure all first floor windows and any locations are lit where someone might try climbing to reach upper floors.
Strategy 4
Donʼt forget about your driveway, garage (both inside and out) or carport.
A tip for you to do tonight
Take a walk around your place at night (even if you already have outdoor security lights installed) and look for areas that might be vulnerable.
Try pretending you were an intruder. How would your lighting or lack of it affect your strategy for getting in? That will identify areas for you to improve.
Call Brian Millman Electric today for a free estimate on landscape lighting!
Article found at Safe At Home Security Guide
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