Electrical oddity question

[Jim Hill]

Electrical questions

Having the wiring on the outside of the wall may not be a problem if it is done to code.

Is the wiring exposed? Do you just see the romex wiring itself?

It should be either wire mold which is plastic or metal casing around it or it should be in conduit pipe. Some times swithch boxs are mounted on the outside of the drywall in many older homes.

Here in Florida in many older homes when someone wants to install a ceiling fan and light they run wire mold from an electrical outlet up the wall and then have a swag of chain with the electrical wire to the fixture.

I would check into what the local code calls for.

I have many times seen plumbing drain line run from the second floor to the first exposed on the exterior of a home and in some parts of the country this is very common.

It may not be pretty with it is functional.

Jim Hill

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Describe and explain...then, let the underwriter deal with it.

 

[Kevin A. Spellman]

What a typical buyer would do is what I would explain in the report. This type of wiring is not typical in the US with the presence of drywall for the interior walls.

 

[Roy Courtney]

Let the underwriter deal with it?
I remember a few years ago doing an FHA on a property where the AC condenser had been replaced. The people had connected the 220 wiring with only electrical tape and because of weather some of the wiring was exposed. I required that this be repaired and an emergency disconnect be installed. WELL the direct endorsement underwriter waived this silly requirement and later called to tell me that is was NOT an FHA requirement. I politely explained to her to please call the new owners who had two five-year old twin daughters and explain that if their child was electrocuted not to worry that she had saved them part of the funeral expenses! Yep, let the underwriter take care of it, after all FHA gives them this power!

 

[Lobo Fan]

By code, romex cannot be exposed. It is a code violation and a safety hazard. I saw an old house that still had the original 1920's style wiring. Asbestos covered wire running surface over the outside of the walls with the old rotary style switches. The old outhouse was still in the backyard. There are numerous products out there that just screw to the wall and the cover snaps on. No fishing required.

 

[Restrain]

Seems to me that there is a difference in the inspection requirements on a reverse mtg vs. a purchase/refinance mortgage. It's been a while. Why not call the HUD office and ask them?