Making a point - Rambo style!
Everyone likes to feel they are strong. Sometimes it gets us into trouble. Standing on the rear deck about 5 feet above grade, a new inspector and I were explaining to the client the importance of guardrails around a high deck like this. We spoke about how people often lean against railings and there can be a lot of force on them, especially during a party with lots of people and a little alcohol.
My associate grabbed the railing and applied some force – more than the railing could withstand, as a matter of fact. The railing gave way and he would have fallen after it, had the client and I not grabbed him. The point was made, but the damage was done. We were all a little shaken up.
It was very difficult to make the seller understand that the railing was unsafe and not our responsibility to replace. We ended up splitting the cost of replacement.
What was the weak link? In this case there were several, but the most significant was where the railing was (barely) secured to the house wall. We often can’t tell by looking where the problem may be.
What did we learn? Test progressively and carefully. Don’t put yourself in danger. Have you ever done anything like this at an inspection? Let me know.
Footnote: From an insurance standpoint, this is where Commercial General Liability insurance is useful. If you damage something at an inspection, you can be insured.
