Got a call the other day from a HO doing a refi through FHA, and down in the basement which is unfinished, there is original K&T and some new romex home runs that are threaded through the floor joist. The inpector wanted the K&T inpected by an electrician then covered up which would make a Jbox un-accessable. The room does have some storage shelves in it but no wall covering (stem walls), concrete floor, sump pump, no insulation, no HVAC, just storage and with I'd say 7-7.5ft of head clearance. I looked it all over, found the K&T in above average condition, put an oct cover on and two KO covers in a panel that the inspector missed....What's your take......I just thought the "covering it up" part was un-called for, but FHA is notorious for having extra items over and above the NEC.
FHA home inspector wants unfinished basement K&T covered up
- Thread starter Mule
- Start date
- Status
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Mule said:
The inspector really has the call on this sort of thing because it's not a code inspection. It's all about getting a loan approved.
You can always try to talk him out of it because it's unfinished living space. As far as a juntion box not being accessable that's where an access panel would come in handy. I have even used a vent cover. You just need access it doesn't have to be exposed.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Mule said:
Can you put an acoustical tile ceiling-- dropped ceiling with grid. This allows access to JB's and for future wiring.
If it must be sheetrock can the jb's be moved so that they are accessible.
I offered to make contact with the inspector for the HO, but I think the HO was in the "soft foot" mode and didnt want me to aggrevate the guy. I just made a statement on my invoice that the K&T was in above average condition and concealing it would prevent further inspections of its condition and perhaps might raise the ambient temperature of the conductors if they were heavily loaded. I recomended that they not conceal the wiring unless the HO intended on converting the space to living space.
Then I made a verbal suggestion to the home owner that they further investigate the K&T to insure that it was not on a stressfull circuit such as a bathroom recept or kitchen. The house was built in 1904, but the wiring was not that old IMO.
Put my check in pocket and left. and havent heard anything else about it...
Then I made a verbal suggestion to the home owner that they further investigate the K&T to insure that it was not on a stressfull circuit such as a bathroom recept or kitchen. The house was built in 1904, but the wiring was not that old IMO.
Put my check in pocket and left. and havent heard anything else about it...
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