Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Upon inspection of Laundry room sink, I observed signs of previous water leak at the drain pipe. No current water leak was observed at the time of inspection. Recommend further inspection, repair or replace by a professional and/or licensed plumber.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The water header did not have a catch pan installed. As a result, flooding can occur and damage the interior of the home. Recommend a licensed plumber install a catch pan that with drain line to the exterior per standard building practices.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read Toilet Inspections and found the many different types of toilets extremely interesting. I current have dual-flush toilets in my home, but I had no idea that this toilet was invented in Australia in 1980 due to a water shortage.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Toilet Inspection Article:
Inspector should perform the following tests and check for defects.
Check for cracks: Check for cracks anywhere on the toilet fixture.
Flush Test: Perform flush on all toilets in the house.
Is the Toilets run continuously
Check how long to flush
Check how long to fill
Size of water tank: new toilets(after 1994) are not allowed to use more than 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF).
Connection between bowl and tank.
Connection between floor and bowl
Check for leaks
Note: Inspectors should neveroperate the water shut-off valve behind the toilet, or any other water shut-off valve.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Potable water means water safe enough to drink. The EPA determines the acceptable levels for safe water. one of the protection to prevent water contamination is back flow preventers. this can be accomplished by check valves and air breaks within the drains of the home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
S Traps, although when the house was built s traps were ok. Now a days the only acceptable type of trap is the P trap. the S trap will allow the water in the trap to syphon out and allow sewer gasses to escape into the home causing a toxic environment.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Im the above photo you can see the toilet has a dark stain around the base where the porcelain meets the flooring. I would advise, in my report, that this staining represents either the seal between the wax ring and the porcelain has failed which is causing water to leak every time the toilet is flushed or that there is a hairline crack somewhere on the toilet that is allowing water to leak through the base. I would suggest a plumbing contractor be contacted to inspect and repair.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose to write about the “residential sewer and storm water systems.” This photo was very informative and helpful to get a good understanding of the drainage systems in a residential application. This image also shows many common and potential problems with the system. One thing I learned from this photo is I did not realize that lateral sewer connections were common areas that leak.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
During inspection I notice a leaking faucet in master bedroom. I recommend a plumber to fix and check fittings at the top of faucet or replace if necessary. Also notice drainage issues with the faucet so further evaluation is recommended.
Research & Writing Assignment:
What I learned in the Illustration gallery is that S type drain piping is not permitted because with the S type drain piping water and sewer and get trapped in piping causing damage and drainage flow with the plumbing system.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
What I found interesting about water closets was the terminology used. In the United States a water closet, is most commonly referred to in modern parlance as a toilet.
Apparently the antiquated, yet apparently still used term in the trades, for a toilet remains water closet.
Fascinating.
Research & Writing Assignment:
On reviewing the, InterNACHI Water Heater Dating Chart, what initially strikes me is the vast number of water heater manufactures and the detailed the documentation of each is. The chart presented is voluminous and exacting as the determined age of a water heater tank.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The water supply is from a public source. The bath room sink has adequate water pressure. The mechanical drain stopper works properly. There is no deficiencies in pressure from hot or cold water. There appear to be no leaks or cracks in the plumbing below the sink. The plumbing appears to work properly. The overflow does not work properly and needs to be looked at by a licensed professional.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Topic: TPR Valves and Discharging Piping.
Temperature Relief Valves are used to prevent catastrophic tank failure by allowing pressure that has exceeded its capacity to have a safe outlet. A tank failure can prove to deadly. I have also learned that certain building code require different things. My builder informed me that my drain from my hotwater tank had to be routed outside. I did not understand why the drain could not terminate more than 6 inches from the floor…
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Discharge pipe serving TPR valve meets requirements, which are: The pipe is not connected to drainage system, it discharges through an air gap, it terminates within six inches of the floor, it discharges to the floor and to a termination point that is readily observable by occupants.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Water Heater Expansion Tanks
An expansion tank is a metal tank connected to the water heating appliance and is designed to accommodate water volume fluctuations caused by changing water temperatures. As water heats up in a closed system the pressure increases. Water is forced into the expansion tank where it compresses air contained in a rubber bladder. If an expansion tank is present, it should be inspected for proper location and support, corrosion and leakage.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
As I was inspecting The exposed drain of the shower pan above, I noticed the looked to be painted upon a closer look the trap for the shower pan has been sealed. Any time there is a patch in a waste line it most always indicates a past leak I called it out and recommend the patched area was not leaking at time of inspection but needs to be monitored.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The generalized inspection of a home is concerned with a safe water supply system , determining whether its municipal or private (Well), an adequate drainage system free from any leakage or poor installation, and proper fixtures with no defects. Even though as home inspectors we do not govern on codes it is to our benefit if we familiarize ourselves with plumbing terminology so we can best describe any in answering any questions our clients might have.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Concise Inspection Checklist for Bathroom Fixtures:
Fully open cold water faucet at lavatory.
Fully open cold water faucet at bathtub. Note any pressure or flow changes.
Close faucets.
Fully open hot water faucet at lavatory.
Fully open hot water faucet at bathtub. Note any pressure or flow changes. Note water
temperature.
Confirm that the left-side controls the hot water.
Close drainage stoppers.
Check the traps, waste piping, and water supply valves and pipes.
Engage the showerhead. Note pressure and flow.
Flush the toilet.
Note pressure and flow at showerhead.
Close faucets, leaving a few inches of water in the lavatory and bathtub.
Flush toilet and open the drain stoppers of the lavatory and bathtub at the same time.
Note drainage and listen for gurgling.
Observe drainage. Note slow or clogged drains.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I learned from articles “Main Features of an Indoor Plumbing System” as follows:
The primary functions of the plumbing system within the house are as follows:
1.To bring an adequate and potable supply of hot and cold water to the users of the dwelling.
2.To drain all waste water and sewage discharged from these fixtures into the public sewer, or private disposal system.
It is, therefore, very important that the housing inspector familiarize himself fully with all elements of these systems so that he may recognize inadequacies of the structure’s plumbing as well as other code violations.
