When most people think of what a Home Watch service might encounter, they generally picture serious problems like leaks, storm damage or break-ins. And yes, Home Watch professionals do find those things. But sometimes, they find surprises that are downright strange, funny or unexpected. Here are 12 discoveries made by Home Watch professionals while their clients were out of town.

1. A raccoon relaxing in the living room.

While the homeowners were away, a furry intruder climbed down the chimney and made himself at home on the family’s couch. Other professionals have found live raccoons and squirrels living in attics during their home inspections. These animals can enter homes through small openings and cause significant damage.

2. Cooked mice in the furnace.

Small animals like mice like to find warm places to shelter in when the weather is cold. These unfortunate animals sought warmth in the furnace and their demise created quite an unpleasant odor.

3. Large wasp nests.

Wasp nests have been found in both attics and basements, and the homeowners were unaware of this infestation until their inspector found them during a routine check. At Golden Rule Home Watch and Concierge, we had our own run-in with a honeybee infestation in the client’s home’s walls! Read the blog post for details.

4. A dead fish on the roof.

In one case, a dead fish was found on the homeowner’s roof. The inspector speculated that it was likely dropped by a bird, but who really knows how it got there.

5. Termite mud tubes.

These homeowners didn’t know they had termites until their inspector discovered termite mud tubes hanging from the ceiling. These structures indicated they have a severe termite infestation.

6. Electrical hazards and makeshift repairs.

Home Watch professionals have encountered dangerous electrical setups, including exposed wire connections and makeshift repairs using inappropriate materials like duct tape and hose clamps. If these types of things are discovered, they are pointed out to the homeowners so they can make appropriate remediations before a disaster like an electrical fire happens.

7. Christmas lights hung over a pool.

In this alarming instance, the inspector noted that holiday lights were strung directly over a pool, posing a significant electrocution hazard, especially when the water fountain feature was activated.

8. Mushrooms growing indoors.

Moisture issues in a house that was closed up for a while led to mushrooms sprouting from floor drains and even the carpeting. This was an indication of water damage and potential mold problems.

9. An elusive bird.

It wasn’t hard to spot a bird flying around inside the client’s home. The trouble was catching it to release it back into the wild where it belonged.

10. A refrigerator science experiment.

After a power outage, the spoiled food in the client’s refrigerator had grown into its own ecosystem. The smell alone was a giveaway.

11. An unexpected frog pond.

Without regular maintenance, pools can go from crystal-clear to swampy in no time. This particular pool even had frogs making themselves at home.

12. The smart home system gone rogue.

The thermostats were blasting heat and the lights were on a pattern all their own with a tech glitch in the smart home system.

Trust Your Northern Virginia Home to Golden Rule Home Watch

Golden Rule Home Watch and Concierge offers professional property check-ins that give Northern Virginia homeowners peace of mind while they’re away on vacation, seasonal travel, work assignments or extended absences. Our team performs thorough interior and exterior inspections in a regular pre-determined schedule, looking for issues like water leaks, HVAC failures, pest infestations, storm damage or signs or unauthorized entry. Then we provide our clients with detailed reports and photos after each visit.

Beyond identifying and reporting problems, Golden Rule Home Watch helps prevent small issues from becoming costly ones. We handle the details most people wouldn’t think of, like testing appliances and plumbing systems, and adjusting thermostats when needed. If something does go wrong, we can coordinate with trusted local contractors and service providers to get it fixed quickly—acting on your behalf.

Our Home Watch services also protect your homes from looking vacant, which can deter criminal activity. We can bring in mail and packages, adjust blinds and lights, manage landscape care and ensure your home looks occupied from the outside.

Contact Us

Trust Golden Rule Home Watch and Concierge as a reliable, experienced professional to keep an eye on your property and report any surprising finds. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your Home Watch visits.

Sources: Fox News and Realtor.com.
Photo credit: Steffi Decker.