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Subtle Plumbing Defect

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

A hot water heater, gas or electric, requires a drain on the temperature pressure relief valve. And, when a water heater is inside a home, it is best if there is a drain pan under the tank and, we hope, a drain to outside.

Both of those things were present in the photo below. So what is the defect?

The defect is that the TPR drain, the copper tubing, is bottomed out on the bottom of the drain pan. One thing an inspector looks for is possible cross-connections. This is a subtle one, but this drain should end ABOVE the flood rim of the drain pan. Getting it higher by just a few inches ought to do the job. In the realm of repairs, not such a difficult job. Wish they were all that easy!

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Diane Donnelly
Keller Williams Flagship - Annapolis, MD
Anne Arundel County, MD Real Estate

This is great to know and something to look for at our pre-listing appointment.  Love these tips!

Diane

Sep 24, 2009 04:55 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Besides being below the flood rim it is unlikely that the drain could discharge fully.  A plan ahead moment perhaps?

Sep 24, 2009 04:59 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

I agree with Charlie. Minor faux pax by the plumber I suppose...

Helping you live your American dream...

Sep 24, 2009 09:46 PM
Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks
Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH
Inspector Mike

Glad to see an inspector explaining a small defect as such and not just saying it is wrong and needs a plumber to fix.

Sep 24, 2009 11:47 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mike,

When something is easy and safe to fix, I try to let the clients know that. No point in making a big flap that worries everyone over so little.

Sep 25, 2009 02:27 AM
Ian Niquette
Square One Home Inspection - Markesan, WI

Very true Steven, no  need to make mountains out of mole hills.

Sep 25, 2009 02:30 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Steve - not only do I have the tubes that hit the bottom of the pan, but that the pan has no drain itself!  It is just sitting there...

Sep 30, 2009 10:39 PM