An electrician was left disgusted after discovering dozens of tiny black ‘eggs’ on a customer’s fuse board – only to realise it was a shocking DIY blunder.
Daniel Dunning made the grim find while carrying out work at a friend’s home.
The 35-year-old initially feared the clusters were spider eggs.
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But the truth turned out to be even worse – a botched job by previous occupants.
The discovery was made in Epsom, Surrey, with Daniel now warning homeowners of the hidden dangers, as reported by WhatsTheJam.
He said: “When we first opened it up, we found what looked like clusters of spider’s eggs inside the board.
“On closer inspection, it turned out to be a mix of insulation material and expanding foam.
“It became clear that cavity wall insulation had been pumped into the property without properly sealing around the consumer unit.
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“As soon as we removed the fuse board, insulation from the walls actually started pouring out into the space.”
He also found signs of mice activity, with gaps crudely blocked using expanding foam.
Daniel said: “The combination of insulation inside an electrical board, pest contamination, and poor previous workmanship made it extremely unsafe and a serious fire risk.
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“I was genuinely shocked when I saw it, it’s not something you come across every day.
“The first priority was to make everything safe.
“We isolated the supply and ensured there was no immediate danger.
“I then explained the situation to the homeowner and recommended a full replacement of the fuse board, along with properly sealing the area to prevent insulation or debris entering again.
“We arranged to carry out the upgrade and make sure everything was brought back up to a safe, compliant standard.”
He added: “This job really highlights how important it is to use qualified professionals for both electrical work and things like insulation.
“If corners are cut, it can create hidden dangers that only come to light years later.
“I’d advise homeowners to have their electrics checked regularly, especially if any major work like insulation has been done.
“If something doesn’t look right, it’s always worth getting it inspected – it could prevent a much more serious issue down the line.”
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