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There are many household tasks the average do-it-yourselfer can handle safely. Electrical work is not one of them. The clarity of this picture is not great but what it shows is an all-too-common and potentially hazardous electrical defect. The bottom circuit breaker is double tapped but the bigger issue is that one of the wires is not properly sized for the size of the breaker. The breaker is a 20 amp breaker and is wired with one 12 gauge wire which is correct. However, the other wire is a 14 gauge wire which is too small. A 20 amp breaker can carry more electrical current than 14 gauge wire is rated to handle safely. The potential result is overheating of the wire and fire! The services of a professional electrician are needed immediately.

The metal electrical junction box in this picture is mounted directly on the concrete block wall in the basement. The reason why this is not a good idea is because the metal box can pick up moisture from the block wall and eventually result in rust and corrosion on the wire connections within the box. This box should be remounted on a wooden board and attached to the wall by a professional electrician.

The outlet in this picture shows scorching on the exterior which is evience of overheating. The outlet should be evaluated by a professional electrician for possible replacement.

This picture shows a live wire underneath a kitchen sink that has been cut and the ends taped. Any loose wires like these need to be enclosed in electrical junction boxes and the boxes secured to a wall.

Most main sewer drainage lines in houses are made of either cast iron or PVC. The drain line in this picture is cast iron and it has seen better days. When I entered the basement of this house, I smelled a distinct sewage odor. The first place I looked was at the sewer drain line which was corroding and actively leaking in numerous sections as seen on the bottom section of this pipe. Cast iron drain lines like these have an average life expectancy of 60 - 70 years and this one was about 70 years old. Immediate replacement of the damaged sections was needed.

All water heaters should have a safety device installed known as a temperature pressure relief valve (TPR). It's purpose is to expel water from the tank but only if the water in the tank reaches unsafe temperature or pressure levels. The valve on the water heater in this picture is installed but it is missing the directional exhaust tubing. This tubing is needed to safely discharge any hot water at floor level in the event of a malfunction in the heater. It is a very easy and inexpensive fix which makes me wonder why I see this safety defect so often.

Electrical