Water heater Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves
Excessive length – more than 30 feet use of more than four elbows or bends in discharge piping, or reduction of discharge line size will cause a restriction and reduce the discharge capacity of the
valve.
Tankless Coil and Indirect Water Heater Basics
Tankless Coil and Indirect Water Heater Basics Tankless coil and indirect water heaters use a home or building’s space heating system to heat water as part of an integrated or combination water and space heating system. HOW TANKLESS COIL AND INDIRECT WATER HEATERS WORK A tankless coil water heater uses Read more…
Exploding Toilets?
Yes that is a real thing!The pressure-assisted toilets made by the Sloan valve company sold under the name flushmate have had recalls. (501-b and 503) https://schoolofprofessionalhomeinspection.com/lib/vid/Exploding%20Sloan%20Toilet%20Tanks.mp4 These pressurized toilets are known to fail and cause explosions. Significant property damage and some injuries have occurred due to these failures. There are Read more…
Water Supply Systems Freeze Resistance, Pex, Copper and Sharkbite.
Copper has been the mainstay of plumbing supply systems for decades. While the system is very popular it is particularly susceptible to freezing. Copper plumbing is rigid and does not stretch when ice forms. Water expands approximately 9% when it freezes. Plastic plumbing systems have some stretch to them and Read more…
The Dumbest Install Ever!
Today I have the pleasure of inspecting possibly the most dangerous, certainly the dumbest furnace install I’ve ever seen. If you look at the air intake and exhaust for this high-efficiency furnace they have been swapped. This is causing soaking wet exhaust from the furnace to vent into the attic. Read more…
How to Fix Water Hammer and Noisy Supply Plumbing
Water hammer or hydraulic shock is often caused by a lack of air chambers. When a valve is shut off quickly (washing machines and dishwashers, for example, can turn off the water very fast) The air in the chamber will compress, absorbing the shock that would normally be passed down Read more…
Septic System Maintenance
Septic systems can be a great alternative to traditional sewer systems. They are more economical, highly efficient, and simply designed. If you have a septic system, make sure you know how to properly maintain it. Absorption Field Never drive over the absorption field with cars, trucks, or heavy equipment. Always Read more…
What is Wrong With This Sink Drain?
There are so many things wrong with this sink can you spot the issues here? That p trap os too deep Double p-trap Accordion drains are not “listed plumping part” and not code. But they sell them at the hardware store of course. Sink leaking. Besides those issues the sink Read more…
This House Flipper Was NOT A Plumber
Some things you know without them being said. In this case, we are looking at the ‘handiwork’ of a not-so ‘handyman’, all 4 examples are in the same house. I thought this would be a good example of what we find. In each case, the sink had some problems that Read more…
I Should Have Known Better..
As a home inspector, I give advice everyday. One of the most important things I discuss with my clients are the limitations of inspections. Some of the most expensive items that fail for home buyers are not visible during a typical home inspection. One of the additional items we talk Read more…
Drains Need Support Too! More plumbing rules
This is a drain for a kitchen, not too surprising it drained slowly. This is a pretty easy fix, a few more pipe supports needed All plumbing needs supports, and depending on the materials, it may be from 2.7 feet to 12. Improper support can create air pockets and clogged Read more…
Unique Water Heater Install
In case you didn’t know, you don’t plug in water heaters with a dryer cord! I love the taped up connection, the things homeowners will do!
How To Reset a Toilet
Have you seen water around the base of toilet? Is the vinyl flooring have stains bleeding through? Does the flooring feel soft or spongy around the toilet bowl? I look at a lot of toilets, and it is amazing how many of them leak. Often these leaks are very small, but over time Read more…