Socket wrench hinge pin
Long and winding road
Walking in the winter wonderland
That's Not PEX
Grow your own hardware cloth
Mystery leak sealant
Dr. Frankenstein's wall switch
Squirrel prepper
Tin pan alley
Cooling fins-or radiator fins-you be the judge. Or maybe it's an attempt to stop the mice from using the ductwork as an elevated expressway?
March of the roof vents
Skillfully Unnecessary Scribe
What's a TPR Valve?
Not willing to be outwitted by a water heater, Jim decided that the TPR (temperature, pressure relief) valve should only drip when he wanted it to drip. A TPR valve is an important safety feature, and the photo shown above is NOT an appropriate solution!
What the wall usually sees
Strange brew
Ice wars
Water runs uphill right?
Toasted curtains. Where’s the jelly?
50% off on railings. Let’s go!
Dad must’ve thought that the kids would need a stair rail that grew along with them, so they added one more railing for each growth spurt. Believe it or not this is almost legal. At least it passes the 4-in. ball test. The problem is that there’s no returns at the ends.
Find the Fuel Oil Tanks in this Picture
If you’re painting metal, do the prep work the right way. That way your artwork will stand the test of time.
Plywood window well
Brokeback roof
Some people should skip the hand-framing and stick with roof trusses. That way you don't need to be a skilled carpenter.
Ho boy!
P-trap Nirvana
When Copper and Steel Collide
Duct Tape Wall
Wooden electrical box
See, the problem is, electricity can spark and wood can burn! This would probably be fine if they put a legitimate electrical box inside the wooden box.
Larry, Curly and Moe
Apparently, there was one shingle from the old roof that just had some sentimental value. But eventually, he'll have to give up on sentiments and replace the shingle.
Does this ductwork make my butt look big?
If your shorts fit over ductwork, then yes. Yes it does. They do sell duct hangers that are better suited to this purpose.
I'm melllltttting
Little Johnny got a magnifying glass for his birthday and set out to harness the power of the sun and melt the neighbor's house. Obviously, this house is in need of some siding replacement!
Who needs a “Pee”-trap?
"See, this way the city can't monitor the water going down my drain and I don't get charged for it. And if I'm not feeling like using the toilet, I can just let loose anywhere in the basement!" Yes, it’s true. In order to work properly, a drain actually has to be connected to something.
Don't fall for this trap
Hot line to Dominos
After training rats, B.F. Skinner decided to test his training on the kids. Or maybe it’s connected to a switched outlet where the pizza oven is plugged in.
All employees MUST wash their hands before returning to work!
Genius! With this setup, you can wash your hands and your feet at the same time! A small bathroom requires a certain amount of planning.
Flying Wallenda's Family Home
Desk fan attic venting
Beer case insulation
Uncle Cooter never minded living in the attic. Nope. Not one bit. Not sure what the R-value of cardboard boxes is, but I am sure that using actual insulation in the attic would be better.
Helpful signage
Mouse Apocalypse
Kilts and skirts not recommended
Oh, how you laughed as I collected all those free tile samples. Well who’s laughing now?! Another three months and we’ll have new carpet in the living room.
Roughing in for a centrally located sink
Can't even come up with a theory on what's going on here. Perhaps some instructions on how to connect a sink drain would be helpful.
Liberty Bell
Floating stairs
It’s all Greek to me
Hope the new home owner can speak Swahili or Russian-or something. Marking circuit breakers is a great idea as long as you can understand them.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechPatchwork quilt for houses
Maybe the shingles spell out a cry for help to passing airplanes? I think this fella is just collecting all the leftover shingles from his roofing contractor buddies. Perhaps it's time for a roof tearoff.
Mail Slot?
Wine cork plug
Who needs a steel post-of the right length-that’s anchored, or something?
Now that's a maintenance-free finish!
Extension Cord-Powered Circuit
Scarf joint madness
Under the boardwalk-boardwalk!
Once I get a little wood filler in the cracks, this is going to look amazing! Installing wood flooring does take just a little bit of skill.
The stash
Toboggan ice-dam solution
Extra clothes rod
Hardhat Area
SEAL team 7 training stairs
After careful years of planning and tending the weed bed, Myrtle thought balusters would just destroy the view. That looks like quite a tumble if you took a bad step on those stairs!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechGetting set up for a green roof?
Heat duct or exhaust vent…
Leaking Faucet
That's the definition of "hard water." On the plus side, the water spraying out should soon melt the icicle. Might be time for a new faucet and maybe to install a freeze detector in the house.
OMG!!!
Until that junction box completely disintegrates, this is up to code, right? Judging from the rust, I’m thinking there might be a water problem here as well, and that crowded box should probably be replaced.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechJacked-Up House
Cold air return
Hard to figure out what’s going on here. Sure you need a cold air return in the basement, but why not just put a vent in the cold air return? Maybe they’re planning ahead for a future wall?
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechWayne Gretzky's Boyhood Home
Kitchen exhaust vent routing fun
Dryer vent follies
Accidental greenhouse
Indoor plants are nice, but not when their roots are outside. Repairing the window so the plants can’t get in would be a good start to fixing this problem.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechNow THAT’S a hot lead!
Dryer Vent
One more reason why voltage sniffers were invented
Which ones? That’s the game! Try your luck! First prize is one free shock-therapy treatment. One should ALWAYS use caution when working in a breaker box!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechBust'n out!
Rorschach door painting
Without thinking, tell me what you see. There are techniques involved with painting a door.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechNot that anyone ever would…
Between the Jetsons and Santa Claus, I don’t know who’s worse. Suffice to say they’ll be ticketed or towed from now on! But seriously, you can buy all the parts you need to install gutters at home centers.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechBreaker Panel Convenience
New stairwell? Sure, hand me that reciprocating saw please.
Yup. Looks like there’s a stud wall resting on this mess. I don’t think that a 2x6 qualifies as a load-bearing post!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechDeath Valley
Don't cry honey, I have no idea what happened to your pet iguana. But rest assured, he'll always be with us. Or is it a wayward squirrel that couldn't find his way out?
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechBurglar Proof — Absolutely!
Charlie Manson’s bathroom
Want some decorative walls? Wallpapering is something anybody can do!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechHalf-Hidden Outlet
See-Through Plumbing
Look closely
You Can Still Use the Garbage Can
The More the Merrier!
Ceiling kitchen venting
Marion loved the smell of her cooking so much, it seemed a waste to vent all of the wonderful aromas outside. Generally, most people would prefer kitchen venting to exhaust outside the house.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechWhere there’s a will…
If you close off the register, this cabinet doubles as a convection oven. Would’ve been a better idea to reroute that ductwork.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechUnspelltable
Not everyone has the luxury of a copy editor. Maybe it’s “unoppertable” because the installer never finished skool. It’s not that hard to install a light fixture that works.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechA Garage Prepped for Elective Surgery
Come on down to Bob's Really Good Surgery Shack! This week's special is brain transplants! Actually, this might provide pretty good shop lighting in the garage.
Plus: Check out these 16 cheap garage storage projects you can DIY.THE scene from Alien
Surgical clamp
So I asked the plumbing guy at the home center….
This is a perfect install, if the only use is for flooding your basement. This outdoor sillcock could've been thought through a little better.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechOSHA approved
There. That’ll keep the inspector off my back. I hope he doesn’t bring a tape so he can check the distance between the balusters on my new stair rail.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechP-trap, not mouse trap
Must've been something really tasty plugging up that trap! Better get a new one put on before it starts leaking!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechA Potentially Shocking Disposer
Blue light special
Sale on extra long bolts on aisle 4. Guess there’s nothing wrong with that. But judging from the corrosion at the nuts, these fasteners aren’t rated for treated lumber or maybe not even galvanized.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechLegends of the Fall
Tree eats cable
Redneck awnings
Duct Tape Compression Fittings
Salvador Dali’s Ceiling Fan
Liberace's guest bath
HDTV
A Wee Bit of an Access Issue
3 way switches
Wonder what the bedroom ceiling looks like?
No Fuse, Big Problem
Dueling appliance doors
Well? I suppose we could roast the turkey on the drying cycle? A little bit of kitchen planning goes a long way.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechAt least they’re stainless!
It’s a little known fact, but bolts have to go through the material they’re intended to hold in place. Deck joists need to be installed properly for maximum support.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechWhat’s wrong with this picture? Let thee count the ways…
My first question is why did someone cover up this beautiful ceiling with a hideous drop ceiling?! More importantly, there are specific guidelines to follow when adding a receptacle SAFELY!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechTank top
More Duct Tape Ingenuity
Hard hat area
Mouse trap gauntlet
Determined to have Martha's mouse-pelt coat ready for Christmas, Karl set about the task with never-before-seen enthusiasm. There are many ways to get rid of mice in your home.
Cyclops outlet
Something caused this device to melt. Probably overloading the outlet. But why in the world didn't the breaker trip? Plus: Check out these other cringe-worthy home improvement fails.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechDeck Stair Layout Headache
Watch Your Head!
Medusa
Do NOT look this mess in the eye! You'll turn to stone! I think these supply lines could be a bit shorter. Plus the water pressure is bound to be affected.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechSump pump smarts
Belt and suspender roofing
Halloween decor
Hmmm... Stephen King's attic? Other storage solutions might be less nightmare-inducing, but I'm not sure I'd go up there anymore. Never know what else you might find!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure Tech
Snow load support
After earning a structural engineering degree from a box of Cracker Jacks, Raymond decided to put his newfound skills to use installing a new garage door opener.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechSock purgatory
Well, at least we've solved the problem of where those lost socks go. Duct tape alone just wasn't stopping the leaks.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechNot a Real Doorstop
One way to save money on flooring
Leaning Porch
Walter White’s stovetop
I know it says self-cleaning, but how long are you willing to wait? At least you probably don’t need to buy spices for a while. You can just smear off some grime and throw it in the pot.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechBeer can inspection panel
Redacted
Cris Carter's Basement
The Addam’s family utility room
Judging from the shape of this boiler system, the radiators likely need bleeding. But at least they have a place to drain the supper dishes.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechLamp in the freezer?
I don’t know why freezers don’t have lights, so I just put one in myself. Maybe the lamp was just overheating?
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechIs this foam the fireproof kind?
Shopping Notes
Hubcap Flue Cap
What's wrong?
A shower found in Munchkinland
After mom and dad moved out, the toddlers decided to make the bathroom more user-friendly. But when they grow up they're gonna have to install a new shower.
Another use for landscape blocks
No WAY I’m paying for another two feet of ductwork! Guessing the real reason was that the furnace was shorter and this guy didn’t know how to extend the ductwork to accommodate a shorter furnace.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechNerve ganglia
Honey, let's have a block party?
Pillars of the earth
Architectural detailing for the ages
Here's proof. The cool thing about installing shingles is that any dummy can do it! But, there is a right way to do it!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechBrilliant extension ladder leg extender
Proper grounding-not!
Another head-scratcher
Why buy studs?
Draft hood follies
Maybe one last piece of ductwork wasn’t all this installer was short on. The draft hood above the water heater allows a draft so the warm air can go up and out. The ad hoc draft hood at the top not only doesn’t do anything, it can allow carbon monoxide back into the house.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechHair dryer
Frank got this brilliant idea while drinking beer at the local watering hole. The rest is history. Of course, he had to add a new circuit to pull it off. His wife loves it.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechOccasionally candle flames can really get hot
So close! Almost got that new kitchen paid for! Under cabinet lighting is a nice upgrade, but not at the expense of burning down your house!
Photo: Courtesy of Structure TechPorcelain throne for the uninhibited
So much for the one place a guy can be left alone! Delores wanted to make sure that she could give Ron additions to his to-do list at all times. Time to plan out some bathroom walls!