Recently noted defects with a TPR valve on a pre listing inspection. It does not flow with gravity and discharges into a wall/ unknown location. Plumber came out and said that it’s good to go and did not change anything.
The buyers inspector called it out as well and now the sellers are frustrated.
Do you fight with the plumber to make them fix issues or do they override and take responsibility for the defects now?
In my state a TPRV can flow up. It’s allowed. However, the point of discharge must be visible.
As far as fighting with a plumber (or anyone), that is up to the seller and those involved in the transaction, which you are not!
I pulled to code up and here in FL it is supposed to flow with gravity. I told them that I can’t make anyone fix anything and that the licensed plumber is who to go to. Thank for getting back to me.
Home inspectors have no “authority” to force anyone to do anything.
Report what you will and make a recommendation…that’s it!
They are responsible for what they say and do.
They don’t “override” you. You both have opinions. It is up to the client to decide if opinions contradict.
I agree with @bcawhern1.
You did your job by calling it out. 
Along with what others have said, Explaining the potential implications of a TPR failure might help them make their decision. In Florida (or any where) I’ve found that second, third or fourth opinions often yield very different results.
On a side note, I am curious as to why the plumber said it was ok. If I were the seller, I would pursue this. I suspect it is an older condo, and the AHJ doesn’t require the upgrade because it is not reasonably attainable or cost-efficiently feasible with a simple tank swap.
That piping also looks to be reduced.
I appreciate all of the responses. This was a flipped/renovated home. I do inspections for the investor prior to listing so they can fix things, but it doesn’t appear to be happening. 
The plumber provided a video of the discharge location for the owner. I have not seen it.
Another defect I just noticed, the TPR extension pipe has more than 4-90* elbows that are clearly visible.
Let the plumber put it in writing that it’s good as is, with his license number on it.
In the meantime, stick to everything wrong with it.
Upslope, reduce pipe size, unknown termination point.
I don’t fight with anyone over anything. I’m a home inspector, not an interloper. Some overzealous inspectors see themselves mercenaries. Report what you find. What my customers do with the information they hired me for and that I provide is up to them. As home inspectors we have no authority to make anyone do anything.
That’s basically what I told them. I can’t make anyone fix anything and that it was up to them to decide.
Did you find a termination point for TPR pipe. Wow what a set up. And NO, we dont tell anyone what to do, we make observations and recommendations and leave it up to the negotiating.
I see he stated this
I am curious why the HI did not locate it.
I did not locate it because it enters the wall and I did not open the valve to see where it might be discharging at. I had my assumption of where it was, but it might have been the old condensate line as well. A new HVAC system was installed and a new line was routed right next to the an older line. I believe the plumber did and found where it was going.
I would not have done that either. 
Generally, with enough consideration and process of elimination, the discharge point can be identified. Of course, this is more difficult with multi-unit buildings. However, I believe it is crucial because it may help identify a faulty TPRV if it is discharging warm water. (which is one way to separate it from condensate.)
Right away it has 5, 90° elbows where only 4 are allowed!
Allowed by whom? Is this a local amendment or a manufacturers requirement?
