Mom “went crazy” over mystery devices on the front porch of her new house, before their function is finally revealed
- Mom asks the internet what strange objects are on her porch
- People revealed that they are old awning tie downs.
A homeowner was left scratching her head at the “weird items” built into the front porch steps of her new home, before they were revealed to be awning tie-downs.
The mother, from Sydney, said she was going “crazy” trying to figure out what the little pieces of metal were screwed into the concrete.
He said he turned to social media for answers after he couldn’t find any on search engines.
Many people assumed that the handle-shaped metal rods might be boot scrapers, but others correctly said they were lashings.
‘Please help me save my sanity. Does anyone know what these little whatsimajiggies are? I’m going crazy out of curiosity,’ the woman wrote in a post.
A Sydney mum was ‘freaking out’ trying to figure out what mysterious metal device was bolted to the front porch steps of her new home.
They’re on the front porch. I really want to know and I’m not even sure what term to Google.’
The query generated a flurry of guesswork from other members.
‘Maybe it used to have utilities underneath (electricity, phone, etc.) before they had to tag them?’ one woman speculated.
“That’s a tripping hazard,” chimed in a second.
‘It’s where you tie your horses, right?’ a third joked.
Are they for removing mud from boots? asked another.
The owner said there are two on each side of the porch entrance and although her partner assumed they were boot scrapers, she doesn’t think they are because they are too small.


He turned to Facebook for answers after he couldn’t find any on search engines. Many assumed they might be boot scrapers, but most said they were awning tie-downs.
Eventually some people had the most plausible answer saying that they are used to hold down or tie down awnings.
‘I’ve never seen this on the steps before. Is it sunny? Was there a shade sail covering the veranda before? They look like clips to keep it from flying off, someone asked.
That’s the path I’ve been going down as well, but it’s facing east so no strong afternoon sun. We lived in another house that also had it,” the poster replied.
Many confirmed that the devices were actually tie-downs for blinds and awnings.
“I’m sure it’s a tie for an old awning,” a woman replied.
‘Definitely tie down the awning. They are very common in Melbourne. Helps with privacy and heat,’ another agreed.