# 1973 Mesa Home Inspection: DIY Fixes Hiding Real Problems

- Link: https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/1973-mesa-home-inspection-diy-fixes/
- Published: 2026-10-24T09:21:10+00:00
- Author: homeinspectordan

This 1973 home in Mesa, Arizona looks great at first glance: fresh paint, updated
appliances, a modern electrical panel and even a pool you can control from your 
phone. Once I got into the details, it was clear that DIY upgrades and cosmetic 
fixes were hiding real safety and maintenance problems.

## Outside

 * The new paint looks sharp, but it’s covering foundation cracks and places where
   water can get in.
 * The water meter is buried and hard to reach.
 * Irrigation is missing anti-siphon devices, and the exposed parts show signs of
   neglect.

## The attic tells the story

 * Missing soffit screens, mismatched turbine vents installed incorrectly, and insulation
   packed in too tight.
 * Duct tape on the exhaust vents and a loose AC condensate line.
 * PVC pipe breaking down from UV exposure.
 * A 50-amp breaker protecting a 40-amp HVAC unit. The breaker is supposed to match
   what the equipment calls for.
 * Exposed wiring at the gutters and light fixtures.

## Inside

 * **Electrical:** loose outlets, no GFCI protection near sinks, ungrounded wiring
   and exposed wiring at the touch faucet.
 * **Safety:** no carbon monoxide detectors near the bedrooms.
 * **Bathrooms:** shower valves that don’t work, and shower water hitting a window
   that faces the garage.
 * **Kitchen:** a duct-taped pipe, a flex drain trap that clogs easily, a dishwasher
   drain without a proper high loop, and a microwave fan that blows right back into
   the room.

## The sewer line

There were no cleanouts I could find, so I ran the [sewer camera](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/sewer-camera-inspection/)
down through the roof vent. The line had moderate grease buildup. Nothing alarming
yet, but it’s due for a hydro-jet cleaning.

## What buyers of older Mesa homes should know

Homes from the 1970s often have decades of owner repairs layered on top of each 
other. Updated finishes don’t tell you whether the wiring, plumbing and attic were
done right. A home can look move-in ready and still need a licensed electrician 
before you move in. That’s what an inspection is for.

## Watch the full inspection

See every finding in the video above, or [watch it on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUJwLk5KgkY).
Buying in Mesa or the East Valley? [Book your inspection online](https://app.spectora.com/home-inspectors/my-inspection-company-f8d6dbae4e/schedule)
or call [623-399-0079](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/1973-mesa-home-inspection-diy-fixes/6233990079).

Property Inspections Plus is a [Gilbert, AZ home inspection](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/)
company led by Certified Master Inspector Dan Pierce. We inspect homes across the
East Valley, the Phoenix metro and the rest of Arizona. See all of our [service areas](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/service-areas/).