People are creative and retailers are too. If something makes life easier, and it sells, then someone will make it. The title of this post is a bit overstated, but maybe not by much. When home plumbers cannot cut the drain pipes to make them fit, they go to any number of creative solutions -- S traps, no traps. Enter the creative retailer -- flex drain pipe.

Merely taking a look at it -- look at all them there ridges, you know that it is a marginal idea whose time has come. People use them in kitchens, in bathrooms too. You know how that bath sink trap always gets full of hair and has to be cleaned? Well, imagine what it is like when that normally smooth pipe is ridged? Just imagine. It makes way more sense to have someone, who can do the work, put in a proper smooth drain.

It will make your life oh so much better over the years.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 
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10 Comments on Vacuum Cleaner Hose As Sink Trap

JUN
09
536,508 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Steven, you and Nutsy need to be a little more flexible and go ez on some of those wanna be plumbers...

Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN 

3:17am • #1
131,585 Points 2 Featured Posts

If they sell it must be good, right? I can just imagine the sludge that forms in those ridges, YEECH!

5:59am • #2
591,878 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog

James,

My assistant leaves them brand spanking clean. He just runs them.

8:35am • #3
102,987 Points

Hey Steve,

I guess you do see all kinds of things in your line of business!

8:40pm • #4
357,393 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

You must laugh a lot on your home inspections!  Blog fodder is everywhere.  I showed a house with a pen of chickens and a boastful rooster but I had left my camera behind.

9:17pm • #5
JUN
14
427,343 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Howdy there Steven

A vacuum cleaner hose, is one that I've not came along being used as yet. Have seen a lot of other type of things used for sink traps.

God Bless America

10:58pm • #6
JUN
15

I can see your point.   Do you write this up as a defect in the inspection report?  If it isn't leaking is it still considered a defect?

11:30pm • #7
591,878 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jim,

I have it as a note, not specifically a defect. I do not sumarize it, unless it was leaking. I simply state that it is there and say that it will require frequent cleaning and explain why. I suggest that a real plumber, or someone who knows how to cut and fit pipe, should be able to put in a proper trap with smooth pipe that is more maintenance free. I look upon it as good helpful advice for a not very big deal.

11:42pm • #8
JUN
20
7 Featured Posts

Different day, same old same old.

It is interesting that on one coast or the other, people are the same!

3:40am • #9
JUN
25

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your insight.  I have been calling these flexible pipes incomplete repairs.  I also rate the condition as significantly deficient for the reasons that you already listed.  I believe that the flexible pipe is significantly deficient compared to the smooth pipe.

Maybe I am over critical in this type of observation.  I wonder how other inspectors rate this observation.

Great topic.

12:06pm • #10

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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Home inspection information designed to educate the real estate buyer and the real estate professional. Blog posts include general information and information specific to the Pacific Northwest region.


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