Mother ‘goes crazy’ with mysterious gadgets on the porch of her new house – before their function is finally revealed
- Mom asks on the internet what weird things are on her porch
- People revealed that they are old awning lashings
A homeowner was scratching her head over “foreign objects” built into the steps on the porch of her new home before it was revealed that they are awning tension straps.
The mother, from Sydney, said she “went crazy” trying to figure out what the little metal pieces were screwed into the concrete.
She said she turned to social media for answers after she couldn’t find any on search engines.
Many people suspected that the metal handle-like bars might be boot scrapers, but others rightly said they were ratchet straps.
“Please help save my sanity. Does anyone know what these little whatsimajiggies are? Curiosity is driving me crazy,” the woman wrote in a post.
A Sydney mum went ‘crazy’ trying to figure out what mysterious metal gadgets were screwed into the steps of the porch of her new home
“They’re on the porch. I really want to know and I’m not even sure what term to search for on Google.”
The question generated a flurry of guesses from fellow members.
“Perhaps it used to list services – electricity, telephone, etc. – before they had to label them?” one woman speculated.
“That’s a tripping hazard,” agreed a second.
“Isn’t that where you tie your horses?” joked a third.
“Are they for scraping mud off boots?” asked another.
The homeowner said there are two on either side of the porch entrance and although her partner suspected they were boot scrapers, she doesn’t think they are because they are too small.
She turned to Facebook for answers after she couldn’t find any on search engines. Many suspected they might be boot scrapers, but most said they were awning tension straps
In the end, some people had the most plausible answer saying they are used to holding or tying down awnings.
“I’ve never seen these on stairs before. Does it get strong sun? Was there a shade sail over the porch before? They look like clips to keep it from blowing around,’ someone asked.
‘That’s the road I took as well, but it faces east, so no harsh midday sun. We lived in another house that also had it,” the poster replied.
Many confirmed that the gadgets were, in fact, fasteners for awnings and awnings.
“I’m sure it’s a tie-down for an old awning,” a woman replied.
‘Be sure to tie down the awning. They are very common in Melbourne. Helps with privacy and warmth,’ agreed another.