Light Fixture above shower

[Paul W. Abernathy]

What I would say. Pass off the liability to an electrician. Let them explain to a judge that it was no problem. "But you honor, it was code."

Dang Mr. Decker always trying to pass off the liability to Electricians...

[Greg Fretwell]

Brian, how is this a deal killer? It would take about 15 minutes to remove that luminaire, disconnect the feed and blank off the hole.

Sadly
It would take the new owner 15 minutes to put it back.

Hopefully they would spend a few extra bucks to put in a recessed can with shower trim, best hooking it to the load side of the GFCI.
That is what a responsible electrician might suggest.

You can point out hazards without killing deals.

Someday soon, buyers may be hard to find.

[Greg Fretwell]

Paul, I am not sure how much liability a 3d party electrician would have in this situation, unless they actually change something. I am not sure liability for "inspections" is actually present for an electrician.

[tneumann]

Brian forgot his razzy?

[Russel Ray]

I think so.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Hey Greg,

I was more just GOSHIN Mr .Decker...thehehe.....Now electricians do have some liability if we are called out as experts on a situation but our insurance generally protects us in these cases atleast mine does.

But you are correct....it is more apt to be something that comes into play if I actually DO something versus just commenting on it.

[William J. Decker]

My point, Paul, is that as home inspectors all we have to do is recognize a problem, or a potential problem, and pass it off to experts.

With electrical, that is what I do. I don;t try to repair, nor do I (beyond basics) recommend how to fit it. That isn't my job or what my insurance covers.

Have you ever heard of a code inspector getting sued for failure to call something out? I haven't. In fact, around here, they are specifically shielded from suit.

But not home inspectors.

[mbledsoe]

The reason you don't (or I dont) run stoplights is because you get hit by another car and get injured or killed, not only because it is a violation of the state code. I would think understanding the underlying principles behind the electrical or building codes are the same. So if you read the code, then ask why is it that way, then you have learned the principles not just memorized a requirement. Does that sound logical?

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by mbledsoe

So if you read the code, then ask why is it that way, then you have learned the principles not just memorized a requirement. Does that sound logical?

Yes, yes it does. And that's what I do. That way I can explain to my Clients using common terminology the basics behind my recommendations. No thou shalt nots for me.

[Greg Fretwell]

Will Florida inspectors are shielded by "soverign immunity" but that doesn't keep them from being sued. Sadly, in this country, anyone can sue anyone for anything. There may be no legal basis for the suit but you still need to hire a lawyer to prove it.
Torts are out of control and as long as we keep packing the legislature with lawyers it won't change.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Point in fact....Local AHJ in a county near mine did an inspection and missed an important element of the foundation and well....after construction it came up...the buyer sued and won.......FYI...it happens.

Greg is correct...if someone wants to sue someone......nothing is going to stop them...heck like we all know even if you have a solid tight inspection agreement...does not mean a good attorney can't poke holes in it.

But I agree...Defer to Electricians....We need the CASH

[hspinnler]

Had one of those yesterday. How would you describe to the client, the type of luminaire which should replace this track light?

[Russel Ray]

Have a skylight put in. That would be cool, unless someone in an airplane is looking down from above.

Now, with the silliness out of the way. . . .

The have many types that are approved for wet areas. Generally, they are flush with the ceiling and have water-proof membranes (kind of like an o-ring) that keeps the water out. Easiest visualization would be to say, "You know the lights in swimming pools? Well approved lights are very similiar in that they don't rust, don't allow water to get inside the light fixture, etc." I've found that always works; who hasn't gone swimming at night with the pool lights on?