Electrical
Reversed Polarity Outlet: What the Tester Means
Status Plan for Correction
A plug-in tester reading of hot and neutral reversed—what it means, why it matters, and what a licensed electrician should correct.
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A VAUGHN HOME INSPECTION ORIGINAL
The House Files
Every house leaves clues.
Real defects found during home inspections—what they look like, why they matter, and what proper correction should accomplish.
What are you looking for?
See It. Understand It. Know What Comes Next.
Houses don't always make their problems obvious. The House Files helps you recognize warning signs, understand what they could mean, and decide when it's time to call a professional.
Spot the clues
See real inspection photos and learn which cracks, stains, damage, and unusual repairs deserve a closer look.
Know why it matters
Understand what the condition may mean for the home—and whether it can wait or needs prompt attention.
Take the next step
Learn what should happen next and which type of professional may be needed to evaluate or correct it.
Browse by home system
- Roofing & AtticsRoof coverings, flashing, penetrations, and attic moisture or ventilation.3 defects · Browse hub
- ElectricalPanels, wiring, breakers, receptacles, grounding, and electrical safety concerns.8 defects · Browse hub
- PlumbingWater heaters, supply and drain piping, fixtures, leaks, and plumbing safety concerns.3 defects · Browse hub
- Structure & FoundationFraming, supports, foundation conditions, and structural concerns.3 defects · Browse hub
- Exterior & DrainageGrading, siding clearances, and water management around the home.3 defects · Browse hub
- Kitchen & AppliancesRanges, dishwashers, and other kitchen appliance installation and safety concerns.1 defect · Browse hub
- Home SafetySmoke alarms, CO alarms, and other safety-related observations.2 defects · Browse hub
Case Files
Browse real defects found during inspections—what they look like, how serious they are, and what proper correction should accomplish.
Electrical
Open Ground Outlet: What It Means and Why It Matters
Status Plan for Correction
A three-prong outlet that tests as having no equipment ground—common in older homes with two-wire wiring. Here’s what it means, why it matters, and how it’s corrected.
View case filePlumbing
Galvanized Water Supply Pipe: Why It Corrodes and When to Replace It
Status Plan for Correction
Gray steel water pipe common in homes built before the 1960s. It corrodes from the inside, restricts water flow, and eventually needs replacement—shown in real Upstate SC inspection findings.
View case filePlumbing
Polybutylene Pipe: What It Is, How to Identify It, and Why It Fails
Status Plan for Correction
A gray (sometimes blue) plastic water-supply pipe used from the late 1970s into the mid-1990s, no longer used in new construction and known to fail—often without warning. We still find it regularly in Upstate crawlspaces.
View case fileElectrical
Exposed Wiring at a Water Heater
Status Immediate Safety Concern
Open electrical covers and exposed splices on a water heater create a shock and fire risk at an always-on appliance.
View case fileElectrical
Uncovered Junction Box in an Attic
Status Prompt Evaluation
Open electrical junction boxes sitting in attic insulation leave splices exposed where heat and combustibles meet.
View case fileHome Safety
Loose or Detached Stair Handrail
Status Prompt Evaluation
Handrails that pull away from posts or walls leave stairs without a reliable grab point when someone slips.
View case fileKitchen & Appliances
Range Anti-Tip Bracket Missing or Not Engaged
Status Immediate Safety Concern
Freestanding ranges that can tip forward when weight is applied to an open oven door—often because the anti-tip bracket is missing or the range is not hooked into it.
View case fileElectrical
Exterior GFCI Outlet Not Working or Won't Reset
Status Prompt Evaluation
Outdoor GFCI protection that will not trip, shows moisture damage, or otherwise fails the safety device homeowners rely on outdoors.
View case fileHome Safety
Damaged or Missing Smoke Alarms
Status Immediate Safety Concern
Smoke alarms with missing covers, empty mounting plates, or aged units that no longer protect the home the way they should.
View case fileExterior & Drainage
Downspouts Discharging at the Foundation
Status Plan for Correction
Roof water dumped at the foundation wall is one of the easiest moisture problems to create—and to fix.
View case fileRoofing & Attics
Missing or Damaged Drip Edge at Roof Eaves
Status Plan for Correction
Without drip edge, water can wick into fascia and underlayment edges instead of shedding cleanly off the roof.
View case fileRoofing & Attics
Missing Step Flashing at a Roof–Wall Intersection
Status Plan for Correction
Where a roof meets a wall, missing or failed step flashing can let water slip behind the wall covering and into the framing.
View case fileRoofing & Attics
Bath Fan Duct Terminating in the Attic
Status Plan for Correction
A bathroom exhaust fan that dumps moist air into the attic instead of outdoors can wet insulation and framing.
View case fileExterior & Drainage
Negative Grading Toward the Foundation
Status Plan for Correction
When soil slopes toward the house, stormwater can collect at the foundation and feed crawlspace or basement moisture.
View case fileExterior & Drainage
Siding or Trim Too Close to Grade
Status Plan for Correction
When cladding sits near or in soil and mulch, moisture and pests get a direct path into the wall assembly.
View case fileElectrical
Why Electrical Splices Must Be Inside a Junction Box
Status Prompt Evaluation
Exposed outdoor wire connectors near grade—why an enclosure rated for the location matters.
View case fileElectrical
Double-Tapped Breakers: When Are Two Wires on One Breaker a Problem?
Status Plan for Correction
Two conductors on one breaker terminal need listing verification—many breakers allow only one wire.
View case filePlumbing
Does a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve Need a Discharge Pipe?
Status Plan for Correction
Real inspection examples of missing pipes, crawlspace terminations, pan-only drains, and a leaking discharge stub—and what proper piping should accomplish.
View case fileElectrical
Burned Wire Inside an Electrical Panel
Status Immediate Safety Concern
A conductor inside a service panel was hissing, burning, and melting—an immediate fire hazard that needs a licensed electrician, not a DIY patch.
View case fileStructure & Foundation
Improper Floor Joist Supports in a Crawlspace
Status Prompt Evaluation
Severely damaged framing beneath a bathroom had been propped up with blocks, posts, shims, and added lumber instead of properly repaired.
View case fileStructure & Foundation
Bowed Basement Wall Pushed Inward by Soil Pressure
Status Prompt Evaluation
Horizontal separation and inward displacement in a concrete-block basement wall—reported as soil pressure pushing the wall inward.
View case fileStructure & Foundation
Termite-Damaged Floor Joist: Can It Be Repaired?
Status Prompt Evaluation
Substantial termite damage compromised a center floor joist; an added girder and jack posts supported the damaged wood rather than repairing it.
View case file
Concerned About Your Home?
These case files help you recognize conditions and ask better questions. They cannot determine the complete condition of a specific property.