Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course

For my required reading in the plumbing course I read Health risks of PVC. With a background in residential plumbing I was surprised that I had never heard of the potential health risks of PVC. Good article. I recommend it.

Here is a picture of a water heater and a solar water heating systems storage tank I took on a Draw inspection two days ago.

This photo shows the main water shutoff and backflow preventer,

main water shut off.jpg

I just read an additional article on inspecting french drain systems. Good article and they commonly used in this area.

Photo is of the electric dryer exhaust vent. Observed length of 8’ plus one 90 degree elbow for a total calculated length of 13’, pipe is insulated ridged metal.
Is the insulation necessary or even permitted?

Why do my pictures always come out sideways lol?

Greetings All,

Thought I would share this photos along with a question regarding it. The photo is that of a TPR valve discharge pipe that is labeled as being rated for a 100psi and 180 degrees F. the TPR is rated for 150psi and 210 degrees. The question is: How many of you inspections call this out as a safety issue? Another question why am I finding this set up more often? Thanks

Supply and waste plumbing beneath kitchen sink, P-trap in view.

P1420521.JPG

I just read the article regarding dryer vent safety. Im going to clean my ducting TM. Wish me luck! Thanks

I chose to read the handmade well and greywater plumbing articles. I’m continually amazed at the content you provide us members. I took a resident course at a local community college in Maryland a year ago and what was taught is a far cry from this.

Jon

I performed a visual plumbing inspection on my home as part of the course material using the report checklist and the SOP.
I found everything to be satisfactory except the main water supply shut off on this private water supply. It was non existent and I have provided a photo.

I chose the article “Hot Water Recirculation Systems”. I thought that they were an excellent addition to the home for comfort & convenience, but also learned they can save water and energy as well.

The photo attached is a TPR valve not properly plumbed to direct the discharge to the floor drain.

This is a picture of a kitchen sink drain with a studor air admittance vent.

I just read the article titled Polybutylene for Inspectors. As a contractor I have encountered this type of piping quite regularly, especially in subdivisions built in the late 80’s to the early 90’s.

This is a picture of a recently installed Constant Pressure well system that replaced my old, huge pressure tank (which has since been converted into a smoker!). I bought the house a little over a year ago and the well and pressure tank were located in an outbuilding that had no heat. Long story. Anyway the former owner was running about 150’ of extension cord, across the ice and snow all winter to run a heat lamp to keep the pipes from freezing. Now the main line is safely below ground outside and the system works great.

hello

Hello all. This is a pic of a flushometer type toilet that is used in a residential home. It works great and is very functional, although very loud. There are no leaks and it is firmly attached to the floor. It was purchased by a gentleman who was tired of plugging up his old toilet, and since hasn’t plugged up this one!

This is a picture of the casing on a well that is overflowing through the cap due to inadequacy of the diameter of the overflow line running to the ditch. The well only flowed like this during wet weather. The Well man solved the problem by simply capping off the top of the casing. What are your thoughts?

After completing an inspection of my own home and applying my new found knowledge to many of the components of the plumbing system, I have found several defects.

  1. There was no check valve located between my sump pump and termination point at the exterior of the house. My water heater is located in a crawl space and requires the TPR valve be directed to a bucket with an air gap. The bucket contains a sump pump and alarm system.The pump in the bucket pumps the water to the exterior of the home via a 1/2’’ PEX pipe, which is another defect. The course taught me that the line carrying water out can not be reduced down stream of the TPR valve which was 3/4’’. Also, my hot water heater has no expansion tank. There is a pressure tank for the well pump system. Now I know the difference!
    As I live in a log home, I have had to utilize a studor vent for a few more application than a kitchen island. The inspector had mercy on me due to the log walls being solid with no place to run vent pipe on the log shell.

I used 57 stone around all my exterior drainage pipe when I built the house. I learned in the course that fill dirt should be used in 6 inch increments and compacted. Stone can cause high pressure areas that can penetrate the pipe.