Electrical mystery

[izzy]

Just moved into a new house and there is this one light switch that was taped over into the "on" position. My son decided he needed to flip it and when he did all the lights on a quarter of the floor turned off and won't turn back on again. I've flipped every breaker in the entire panel and they still won't come back on. I tired one of the bulbs in a lamp and it works so they didn't blow out or anything. The previous owner must have known about this or they'd never have taped over the light switch. Any thoughts on the cause or a fix? Shouldn't someone disclose something like this before selling a house? All the outlets in the area work, just none of the lights in the celling. I'm going to check again when it's light out but I'm pretty sure there is only one electrical panel. Oh and I've cycled all the GFCI outlets that are in the dark area.

[Duman]

I've seen some weird problems, this sounds like one of those.

First step might be to check the voltage at the switch. If there's power at the switch input, check the switch functionality, eliminate the switch as a problem. It might be intermittent and once working, was taped in a functional state.

This is kind of problem can take a while to chase down....

[cstone]

Search high and low for an unknown GFCI somewhere on that circuit.

[CS1983]

Search high and low for an unknown GFCI somewhere on that circuit.

This. Our GFCI is connected to all sorts of weird crap.

[BPTactical]

You threw THE switch......


Dingaling, everybody knows you don't throw THE switch......

[Great-Kazoo]

Yes disclosure should have been done. Tomorrow morning call your realtor, ask why this info was not given before hand. Then let them know you will seek action against the home inspector, listing agent and seller. Unless any repairs you're out of pocket for are not paid by them sooner than later.

BUT................. you as new owner should have done a walk through before closing. Also when looking at the home, why didn't you ask about that switch then?

[izzy]

Yes disclosure should have been done. Tomorrow morning call your realtor, ask why this info was not given before hand. Then let them know you will seek action against the home inspector, listing agent and seller. Unless any repairs you're out of pocket for are not paid by them sooner than later.

BUT................. you as new owner should have done a walk through before closing. Also when looking at the home, why didn't you ask about that switch then?

We just didn't notice the switch at the walkthrough, it's one light switch in the entire house. It was taped with clear tape and we didn't even notice until my son decided to flip it. I am upset with the inspector but more so with the previous owners. They clearly knew there was an issue and didn't mention it at all. I fully intend to pursue any available action I'm entitled to. I do appreciate the advice as I'm unsure of my rights here.

[Grant H.]

I guess I'm on a different side here...

It's likely a $3 switch.

Fix it, and move on with your life.

Sure, the home owners knew and the Inspector should have caught it, but is it really worth potentially going to court? You could waste WEEKS on trying to push this through since you didn't do anything about it during the appropriate time in the contract. What's your time worth to you? Taking your time to chase this down with the realtors, the inspector, the previous homeowner, etc will all take time, especially if the previous home owner doesn't want to play ball.

The opportunity cost of WEEKS of effort is far greater than what it will cost to fix this.

Whatever, your choice to make!

[CS1983]

That's all fine and dandy, but what if the switch is simply evidence of a larger problem?

What if the previous owner had his cousin's girlfriend's neighbor "who knows about electrical work" do a bunch of wiring and then didn't disclose that?

At the very least, OP needs to figure out if it's just a bum switch or if it's more than that.

[Wulf202]

Probably a bad switch or a code violation. As above its either a $3 repair or needs professional attention that you should have known about before purchase.

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