TOPIC: wires in an attic

I see it in almost every new home around here.

Point well taken Casey. I may start including it in my reports.

Thanks for all the feedback.  I think I'm going to mention it next time but not put it as a current safety issue.  Just an FYI for the home buyer.

If that were the only "what if" item you had to mention, it may be ok, but if we start putting too many of that type of item in every report, I can promise you that you will start finding that some real estate agents will begin steering their clients' business elsewhere.  Most clients seem to lke a lot of detail while most realtors would like to see only critical items reported; it is a tightrope inspectors have to walk everytime they write a report.  Personally, I would prefer to mention such items during the inspection itself, assuming that the buyer is present.

I tend to agree with Casey.  I too see this practice everywhere.  But, as you all know, people tend to use the attic storage shed so much it affects their heating and AC from crushed insulation (then they complain...).  I especially see this done when ceiling fans are retrofitted.  The cables are running everywhere and mostly hidden by insulation such that you can't tell.  Now and then I will see a cable follow the truss down toward the fan.

But, I also agree with Frank in that it is done everywhere.  Most people, including agents and buyers, would see it as picky and a "what if" inspection item.  It could kill business.

The only way to call it out would be to identify specific codes on the report.  Anyone have any?

Thats just the way it's done, we use romex to save time and money. As far as I know there is no code against it. The fact of the matter is an attic is not designed or intended for storage. But as said people do use it that way