1. That's a piece of wire.
2. That's that piece of wire that you took home for Zoey the Cool Cat to play with, but she didn't like it.
3. That's the smaller water line going to the ice maker in the refrigerator.
4. That's the line to reclaim water, like if you just brush your teeth or just do #1. Student Callahan?
5. That's the instant hot water line so that you don't have to waste gallons of water at the shower waiting for the hot water to arrive.
6. That's what they call the "bonding jumper." It simply connects the hot water pipe to the cold water pipe above the water heater so that if the water heater is removed, all the metal water pipes are still bonded (sometimes called grounded).
   (Trying not to get too technical) Those little electrons like to travel along metal, and they don't care whether it's a metal electrical wire or a metal water pipe. There's a slight possibility that if the metal water heater is removed, and a grounding problem occurs with the electrical system at the exact same time that the metal water heater isn't there, someone elsewhere in the house could get shocked or electrocuted. Think of a problem at the garbage disposal in the kitchen that sends some electricity through the disposal connection to the metal water faucet to the metal water pipes. Ooops. Nowhere to go if that water heater is missing.

The authorities having jurisdiction here don't care if it's missing and don't require that it be installed. Plumbers don't make a big deal out of it either because they all carry little pieces of wire and connecting clamps around with them and install the wire before removing the water heater.

Although I note it in my report when the bonding jumper is missing at the water heater, it's obviously not a significant defect. Hey! It's a piece of wire that might cost a whole $5 to buy and install properly.

What if it's missing, though, and mommy in the kitchen gets electrocuted to death while daddy is out in the garage replacing the water heater? Would it be a significant defect then? Probably so. That's why we home inspectors note these things that appear on the surface to be so nitpicky.

Make sure you read your home inspection reports, and if you don't understand why a home inspector noted something, or you wonder why he would note something that is nitpicky, please call him or her and ask. Somehow I suspect that s/he will be happy to provide an answer. If s/he is not, please call me, and I will. 

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Remember to study for your Manic Monday pop quiz!

Previous pop quizzes can be found here.

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My most recent 20 posts (they'll open in a new window)

1. Foto Friday: San Diego Zoo garden art - 4/10/09
2. And then there's the Client who doesn't listen, read, or act.... - 4/9/09
3. General Electric recalls ranges due to fire and burn hazards - 4/8/09
4. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): A patient kitty cat - 4/8/09
5. Life is wonderful when Clients, listen, read, and act - 4/7/09
6. Manic Monday pop quiz: Safety - 4/6/09
7. Please welcome my 66th Invitee to ActiveRain: Wade Williamson - 4/6/09
8. If it snakes like a snake, but it's not a snake, it's probably still dangerous - 4/5/09
9. SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Are you sure cat's don't like water? - 4/5/09
10. We home inspectors sometimes get taken to task.... - 4/4/09
11. Flowers: Why travel time is so bad in San Diego County - 4/3/09
12. Frenetic Friday Water 101 pop quiz - 4/3/09
13. Hey, even Realtors make mistakes! - 4/2/09
14. If you have it, use it. NOT! - 4/2/09
15. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): Visit from Lucy - 4/1/09
16. Should I refer a Realtor? - 3/31/09 - ActiveRain Feature
17. Causes of house fires: candles, cigarettes, poor wiring, and.... - 3/30/09
18. Manic Monday pop quiz: Honey bees - 3/30/09
19. SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Two friends - 3/29/09
20. Electricity, your power cords, and fires - 3/28/09

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