Hello Frez Abson here.
As part of my completing the Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course I visited the library of inspection articles and found an article on backflow prevention. I found that backflow is a problem that can spread contaminated water into the potable water supply as well as releasing odorous gasses back into the interior atmosphere of the home. All fittings and components used in plumbing must have a system properly installed to prevent backflow.
Essay,
In this picture the Hot Water Tank has a pressure relief valve I would recommend a licensed professional plumber inspect the tank. It is missing an extension tube running from the pressure relief valve. There is also some evidence of the pressure relief valve failure.
Anti Scald Valves
Anti scald valves can help prevent burns to humans and are typically inexpensive to install. Some shower valves and faucets come equipped with anti scald limits that can be set by a professional plumber. With a water temperature of 160 it takes less than .5 second to scald you.
This picture is of a tub faucet. This particular faucet has a defect that when the water is running, water leaks from around the handle. This is likely due to a faulty cartridge in the faucet handle. every faucet has a cartridge inside the handle that controls the flow of water. These cartridges often wear out over time preventing the water form completely being shut off or allowing water to flow out of places that should be sealed.
It is recommended that a qualified professional install a new cartridge to stop the leaking water.
This photo is of a electric panel in a mobile home, I saw some scorch marks on some of the Romex. I usually have the thermal going in anyways but when I looked at this one through the thermal you can really see the one hot leg. after looking a little closer you could see the plastic parts of the panel melting, there wasn’t much load going on when I was there but that lug was 20 degrees hotter than the rest of the panel.
I read the article on air sampling for mold, I recently just purchased one of these kits. I knew it was not an all inclusive answer for mold sampling but it is neat to learn the overall procedure.
I read an article about the importance of truck signage as a form of advertising. What stood out to me is the importance of having your signage professionally made and that a cheap DIY version could actually do more harm than good. It also stood out to me the importance of keeping a clean vehicle when using it as an advertising tool. Your vehicle is often your first impression for your customer.
These two photos depict parts of a vast sanitary drain/waste/vent system visible at the ceiling of a below grade parking garage in an apartment building. The material is PVC Schedule 40 and the joints are solvent-cemented. There is proper spacing of pipe support hangers which varies with pipe size. There is proper slope (2%) to the horizontal pipe runs toward the vertical drain stacks. Condensate pipe drains are fitted with traps. The pipe penetrations through the concrete deck are firestopped with approved fire rated (red) sealant. Cleanouts are provided at 90 degree bends in the horizontal direction of flow and at the bottom of the drain waste stacks.
Bidets
After having just returned from Italy I thought the article on Bidets was very interesting. The apartment I rented had a bidet and adds to the few times I have encountered them mostly in Europe and particularly Italy. The article informs the basics of the bidet in their function and how to use them. The concept of washing genitalia after defecation presents arguably a more hygienic method of cleaning versus just the use of toilet paper. The article mentions their increased availability in North America, which would support their understanding in terms of encountering one during a home inspection.
Dryer vent Safety
Clothes dryer evaporate the water from the wet clothes and is exhausted through a vent to the outside of the home. Dryer vents are usually flexible 4” metal or plastic hose.
Fire hazard is a potential threat if not maintained properly. When the water is evaporated from the wet clothes it takes along lint with it and they can build up in the vent line, reducing the dryer’s ability to reduce heat. As a result, the dryer can overheat and cause a fire.
It is important to make sure your dryer vent is cleaned on annually.
These are pictures of an electric water heater I inspected. The TPR valve shows no sign of a leak. There is a mixer located at the supply and feed designed to protect against scalding. The electrical ground is properly connected. The covers over the heating elements show signs of a leak but there is no moisture. The supply and feed lines are clean and no signs of leaks. The water heater should be serviced annually by a qualified contractor.
Research Article Buying Foreclosed Homes
Banks typically sell foreclosed homes “as is.” Realtors might tell you that a home inspection is unnecessary because it will not influence the bank in reducing the price. A home inspection might not lower the price of the home but it will help with understanding the potential cost of the home. Maintenance tends to be forgotten on a home when the mortgage is not getting paid. This leads to more minor and major defects found on a property and the longer it is vacant the more issues that can arise. Getting a home inspection before purchasing a foreclosed home might not save money on the house but will allow you to know the necessary maintenance issues beforehand.
The following pictures depict the plumbing course synopsis observing the brass fastener on the water faucet the connection of the disposal with the elevated dishwasher line in the background, the water heater with all the connections and venting and the properly installed cover of the sump pump. unfortunately couldn’t upload last picture
I learned what a water hammer was, that is something I have heard in my my house when the sump pump shut down but never knew there was a term for iot
Marcleve Mitchell
3/22/17
Residential Plumbing Overview
For Inspection Essay
InterNACHI
This is an “S” trap for a kitchen sink. The trap has major corrosion and is cracked under the connection coupling. The trap is connected to a very dated garbage disposal, and the wiring to the GD are not secure around the trap. The trap is attached to a different type copper in the floor of the trap.
Research Exercise
The Gallery Illustration
I choose the image of 'Soffits and Fascia, I wanted to get a better understanding and the picture shows the layers of the roof and the purpose and the location of the parts on the roof.
Toilet Inspections
The toilet inspection article consisted of a little toilet trivia which was cool to read about. The article coved how a toilet works with gravity and how to perform an inspection. The article also covered other alternative toiles that was interesting.
Toilet Inspection
By Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
While there are many different types of toilets, for the inspector, what matters most is how the toilet functions. Every toilet in the dwelling should be flushed. The inspector should note if the toilet runs continually and chest the connections between the bowl and tank as well as the toilet and floor. A leaking toilet can cause severe and costly water damage. A moisture meter can help detect leaks from the toilet to the floor.
This picture shows the discharge hose from the dishwasher connected to the sink tailpiece. There is a high loop in the discharge hose. The tailpieces are connected to a P-trap. Hot and cold water is connected to the proper sides of the sink. No signs of leaks at time of inspection. The dishwasher was not secured to the counter.
InterNACHI Water Heater Dating Chart https://www.nachi.org/water-heater-dating-chart.htm
This is a chart that explains how to decode the serial number on a water heater to determine it’s age. The chart shows a number of different manufacturers and how each one incorporates the date of the water heater inside the serial number.
I am ready to take the plumbing course. Plumbing is the most important part of a structure. A professionally done plumbing system can bring the longevity to the home. A poorly performed plumbing can destroyed the house.
Joyson Dass