The 5 Most Shocking Things We’ve Found During Home Inspections

After inspecting hundreds of homes across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, very little surprises us anymore… but every once in a while, we walk into a property that makes us stop, take a breath, and think, “Well, this is a first.”

At JCJ Inspections, our job is to look past fresh paint and staged furniture and uncover what’s really going on behind the scenes. Here are five of the most shocking things we’ve found during inspections, and why thorough inspections matter more than ever.

1. A Mouse Carcass Hidden in Plain Sight

Rodents are unfortunately common in homes, especially rural ones, but finding a dead mouse left behind inside the home is never a good sign.

A carcass often points to:

• Ongoing pest activity

• Hidden entry points

• Health and air quality concerns

If one is visible, there are usually more you can’t see. This is why inspections don’t stop at what’s obvious—we follow the clues.

2. A Doll Stuffed Inside a Floor Register

Yes, really.

During one inspection, we discovered a doll shoved into a floor register, blocking airflow completely. While this might sound harmless or even humorous, it can cause:

• Reduced heating efficiency

• Uneven temperatures

• Hidden moisture issues

It also raises an important question: What else has been hidden, covered, or “fixed” creatively over the years?

3. A Foundation “Held Up” by Dirt and Good Intentions

One of the more alarming finds was a foundation that appeared to be standing—only because the surrounding soil was holding it in place.

Once you look closer:

• The concrete had severely deteriorated

• Structural integrity was compromised

• The house was relying on the surrounding dirt for support

This is what we often call a foundation held together by hopes and dreams. It may look fine today, but it’s a major risk long-term.

4. A Crawl Space That Was Never Inspected

We’ve encountered situations where a previous inspection never included the crawl space, and it showed.

In one case:

• The foundation had crumbled so badly that large portions were simply gone

• Moisture damage was extensive

• Structural concerns were significant

Skipping areas like crawl spaces doesn’t make problems disappear—it just delays when the homeowner finds out, often at a much higher cost.

5. A Raccoon Infestation (and a Lot of Feces)

Wildlife infestations aren’t uncommon, but this one stood out.

We found clear evidence of a raccoon infestation, including:

• Heavy feces accumulation

• Damage to insulation and structure

• Serious health and contamination risks

Raccoon waste isn’t just unpleasant; it can be hazardous. Situations like this require professional remediation and shouldn’t be taken lightly.