Inspecting a building is essential to a home. They help find problems that may not be obvious at first glance. While most inspections turn up common issues, sometimes inspectors come across extraordinary things. Some inspectors have found secret rooms that were missing from the house plans. These hidden spaces can range from small closets to entire basement areas. In one case, an inspector found a secret room behind a bookshelf, just like in the movies. The room was full of old furniture and boxes. It has yet to be discovered why it was built or hidden.
- Live animals
It’s not uncommon to find evidence of pests during an inspection. But sometimes, inspectors find live animals in unexpected places. One inspector opened an attic hatch to find a family of raccoons living there. Another found a colony of bees living inside the walls of a house. In a bizarre case, an inspector found an alligator in a basement. The previous owner had kept it as a pet and left it behind when they moved.
- Strange DIY fixes
Some homeowners try to fix problems themselves, often with bizarre results. One inspector found a bathtub supported by pizza boxes. Another saw a chimney held together with duct tape. The wiring was done in one house with extension cords running through the walls. These odd fixes are not only strange but can also be dangerous.
- Forgotten time capsules
Old houses sometimes hold surprises from the past. Inspectors have found time capsules left by previous owners or builders. These can contain old newspapers, coins, or personal items. One inspector found a box on a wall containing letters from World War II. Another discovered a 100-year-old bottle of whiskey hidden in a floor joist.
- Creepy doll collections
Some inspectors have had scary surprises in attics or crawl spaces. One found a large collection of old dolls arranged in a circle in an attic, and another came across a room full of clown paintings and figurines. While these findings aren’t dangerous, they can certainly be unsettling.
- Money and valuables
Sometimes, inspections turn up hidden treasures. One inspector found a box of rare coins worth thousands of dollars hidden in an air duct. In another case, cash was discovered stuffed inside the walls of an old house. These findings often lead to debates about who the rightful owner is. Click to read more about building inspections in Sydney.
- Fake doors and windows
In some cases, inspectors have found fake doors or windows. These might be painted outside the house to make it look more balanced. In one odd case, a homeowner had built a fake second story. From outside, the house looked two stories tall. But inside, the upper windows were just boxes built into the roof.
- Underground bunkers
A few inspectors have stumbled upon hidden underground rooms or bunkers. These were often built during the Cold War as fallout shelters. Some have been well-maintained and stocked with supplies, while others have been forgotten and fallen into disrepair.
- Unusual building materials
Creative builders sometimes use strange materials. One inspector found a house partly built with old railroad ties. Another discovered walls insulated with old newspapers. One house had walls filled with seashells as insulation in a coastal area.
- Historical artefacts
Old buildings can sometimes hold pieces of history. One inspector found Native American artefacts in the soil under a house, and another discovered old bottles and tools from the 1800s in a barn. These findings can be exciting, but they often require experts to handle and study them properly.
- Ghost hunting equipment
Inspectors have found equipment left by ghost hunters in houses said to be haunted. This includes cameras, voice recorders, and other devices that capture paranormal activity. While not a structural issue, it’s unusual to find during an inspection.
- Indoor trees
Some homeowners take bringing nature indoors to the extreme. Inspectors have found living trees growing inside houses. In one case, a tree was growing through the floor and roof. This not only looks odd but can cause severe damage to the house.
These bizarre findings show that building inspections can uncover more than leaky pipes or faulty wiring. They give a glimpse into the strange and sometimes secretive lives. You never know what might be hiding behind the walls or under the floorboards. While most inspections won’t turn up anything this strange, it’s always better to know what you’re getting into when buying a property.
