Had a client today ask me to hide a cracked chimney crown from the buyer

I spotted a serious crack during a routine sweep that could let water in and cause real damage. They offered me extra cash to keep it quiet so the house sale doesn't fall through. Ever been tempted by money to skip telling the whole truth?

4 comments

4 Comments

abbynelson1mo ago

Seriously, they wanted you to hide structural water damage? That crack would let rain pour right into the walls and rot the whole framing over a single winter. The extra cash isn't worth watching a new homeowner's life savings literally melt away from hidden rot.

kaiw451mo ago

Hiding water damage seemed fine until @abbynelson explained the rot.

jakejones1mo agoMost Upvoted

Wait, was the extra cash at least enough to buy a new conscience? Sounds like their judgment is as rotten as the framing would've been.

sage30818d ago

Okay but "melt away from hidden rot" feels a little extreme. It's a crack, not a hole. Most of these older crowns have some kind of flaw. The real issue is if the buyer gets a proper inspection, which they should. My job is to clean the flue, not play home inspector. If they miss it, that's on them and their guy. Taking the extra money just means I get paid for the risk of staying quiet, not for causing the damage.