In this section i learned about chimneys and their height requirements. The requirements are at least 3 feet tall and also 2 feet taler than any 10 feet of the closest piece of roof materials. This is the requirements of the chimneys.
Water heater is installed properly. The pressure relief valve shows signs that it leaking. The vent pipe should be secured at each connection with three sheet metal screws. A licensed professional should be contacted to evaluate and repair these items.
Water heater expansion tanks are installed to control pressure created by the expansion of water as it is heated in the water heater. They should be installed on the supply line either vertically or horizontally above the water heater to allow water to drain into the heater. Horizontally mounted tanks should be supported.
There is an obvious crack in this toilet that must be noted on an inspection report. Loose connections, leaks, and non-operating components must also be reported. Each toilet should be flushed unless there is reason to believe it will lead to flooding.
I read the article entitled “Plumbing Terms” to brush up on my knowledge of common plumbing terminology. It covered elements of the plumbing system, drainage system, and ventilation systems. I was able to reaffirm some things and help further cement other items I’m not as familiar with such as corporation stops and vent sizing.
The hot water tank Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) valve is present. The discharge pipe is missing on the temperature pressure relief valve. It is recommended the required 34 inch discharge pipe on the temperature pressure relief valve be installed to within 1 foot of the floor for safety.
Bathroom sink
no leak was present.
P trap looks to be newer.
hot and cold supply lines newer and no leak was present.
rubber seal under sink newer and not cracked and not leaking.
Hot and cold valves function and not leaking.
Water Heater Expansion Tanks
Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve.
I believe as the property inspector we should test pressure and temperature relief valves. As a lot of homeowners do not test them and the water heater hoses one of the most dangerous items in the home. We should make sure these are functioning correctly or need to be put replaced for safety.
The article I researched was about water heater expansion tanks. A water heater expansion tank is a tank connected to the hot water heater, it is designed to accommodate fluctuations in the volume of a buildings hot water supply system. It is smaller than the water heater only holding about 2 gallons.
Polybutylene piping (PB) was in use from 1978 to 1995 when production was stopped due to allegations of deterioration causing failure. To date, class action suits awarded to consumers exceeds $1 Billion dollars. In Canada, PB i commonly grey in colour but also comes in White, Silver, Black and Blue. Blue is most commonly seen in outdoor usage. The most reliable identifier is the PB2110 code stamped on the piping.
The image shown is of a clothes dryer that is not equipped with a dryer exhaust which is considered a defect. In the photo shown the lint has accumlated behind the dryer which could pose a fire hazard. In summary the dryer will need a exhaust no longer than 25 feet and be vented outside.
The exterior water spigot on the west side of the home is not secured to the foundation wall. In addition there is no seal around the piping. This could allow moisture into the dwelling as well as a potential for the piping to be jostled enough to produce a leak.
This image is underneath a kitchen sink. In addition to having the food waste grinder and the P-trap, this cabinet also contains an additional drinking water filtration system. The filtration system also has a separate pressurized air tank to force water through the filters and up through an additional tap on the sink.
The image I chose was a diagram of a backflow preventer (Picture ID 1404). It is a picture of a component that would be installed on the water supply to a boiler system. I like this image since it provides a simpler description of what the backflow preventer actually does.
I read the article on pressure assist toilets. Based on what I read I believe the pressure assist should become the new standard. However, the article fails to mention the price difference. Upon doing my own research I discovered the prices have come down considerably enough that within the next few years pressure assist toilets should indeed become the standard of new/re construction.
The water closet is a main component of a bathroom. Also known as the toilet, there are three different types of toilets. They include close-coupled, one piece, and flushometer. A toilet has a maximum water consumption of 1.6 gallons per flush.
The toilet is a common component of a bathroom. Inspectors should check for numerous problems that are associated with the toilet. These items include the connection to the floor, the connection of the tank to the bowl, cracks, and leaks.
The discharge pipe must not be reduced in size, and must not be less than the size of the relief valve outlet. A reduction in size will act as a restriction and would impede the flow rate of the discharge.
The TPR valve discharge pipe on the water heater should be fed by gravity. Often these are incorrectly installed and the pipe goes up instead of down. This, and an air gap is necessary to prevent backflow and contamination of the potable water system.
