S traps are not permitted as they are prone to syphoning which will allow odors to travel up through the pipe and out the lavatory drain. This should be replaced with a P trap of the same size as the tailpiece.
Galvanic Corrosion occurs in plumbing piping when two dissimilar metals are joined and exposed to moisture. An electrochemical disintegration occurs that can over time completely corrode the metal and cause a leak. While the best approach is to use all the same metal an alternative is to install a dialectic union between the different metals.
This is for the essay assignment for the plumbing course.
Picture is the underside of a lavatory, the overflow is corroded and is leaking. Overflows protect from flooding if the sink is plugged and the water is left running but they are not a required in homes.
Short Essay on what I learned from reading the “Barn Inspection” article.
I learned about checking for a lightning rod, something I wouldn’t have thought about and would also now look for on a home in a rural home. I also never knew that excessive cobwebs around a light fixture could be a source of fire.
A fixture plumbing inspection based on the photo shown, indicates that one component would be called out in the inspection report. The trap depth is within the 2-4 inches, the tail pipe depth entering the trap is within 24 inches, the horizontal connection to the trap is within 30 inches and there are no visible leaks, corrosion or stains. The one component that should be called out is the lack of stop valves associated with the hot and cold water supply lines to the fixture.
After reading the article Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job it gave me a different perspective on the profession of Home Inspector. Normally a persons first instinct would be to feel badly about damage he/she created. After reading this article I now realize that causing damage is part of the job, when it comes to safety and discovering hidden faults.
Garbage disposal: Garbage disposals have the potential to limit the amount of trash that must be taken to waste management facilities. Disposals should only be used to grind non-fibrous, leftover food . Always run water while using disposals, and run water for atleast 30 second after grinding so it flushes small particles thru the pipes.
S-traps are not permitted under modern standards. S-traps can siphon and allow sewer gasses to enter the home. Recommend evaluation and repair by a licensed plumber. In addition, the chrome coated brass pipes have deteriorated and are pront to leaking.
I read the article on anti-scald valves. I wish they would have had those things when I was young. My brother used to flush the toilet all the time when I was in the shower. I know a person who was burned almost fourty years ago and still has trouble with the burned areas.
Solar Water Heaters: Solar water heaters are a cost effective way to heat water in almost any climate. Solar water heaters generate no electricity: rather, they directley heat water through sunlight. Solar water heating systems are usually supplemented by conventional backup systems for cloudy days.
the importance of proper venting and drainage of a homes waste water is very Important and should be inspected to insure proper drainage. Cleanout also should be located and noted on all inspecting forms and that they can be opened
This is a photo of a gas powered water heater. The drain pipe is visible as is the 90 degree turn in the TPR valve pipe. There is a water leak catch pan in place and no signs of corrosion or leaking
I observed the image of a gas water heater that showed all of the components vital to it’s operation including the supply, dip tube baffle insulation, gas pipe, gas shut off valve, drip leg, burner, discharge pipe, TPR valve and sacrificial rod
In this picture you will see rusted galvanized pipes, hacked repair and splicing, and a vacuum break filter screen filled with rust. In my opinion this homes plumbing system needs evaluated by a licensed plumber before buyer goes through with the purchase.
The image in which I viewed was of a air admittance valve. In the picture it shows it must have a minimum of 4" clearance from where the p trap enters the drain down to main drain. This is to keep water from coming up out of the valve
This picture shows the stopper being utilized on a bathroom sink. The sink is holding water with no leaking through the drain. Looking at the sink from underneath the cabinet shows no leaking while water is being held in the sink.
In the two pictures of how ball valves work, one of them shows an open ball valve where the handle is in line with the supply pipe. The other picture depicts a closed ball valve with the handle perpendicular to the supply pipe.
The plumbing at this neglected house was in poor condition. Active leak at water supply into boiler. Corrosion in hot water plumbing to radiators, water dripping on boiler motor. Cast iron rusted through in multiple places, open well and sewer cesspool within 40 feet from each other.
One way an inspector can minimize potential liability and lay the foundation for a successful comparative negligence defense is to give the client as much information as possible prior to the home purchase. Provide the client with a thorough report – including digital photos – that clearly identifies any defects or issues that should be investigated further before he or she purchases the property. When the client later claims that s/he would not have bought the property if the inspector had noted a particular defect or concern in his report, the inspectors lawyer wants nothing more than to hand the report to the testifying client and point out where the inspector did note the defect or claim.
In this section i learned that as the inspector we are required to located the main water and fuel shut off valves but we are not required to operate either of these valves. The report should indicate the visual status of the valves.
