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The average, dumb-as-a-bag-of-hammers, HOME INSPECTOR will never notice!

I often wonder, about some of the things I find wrong in homes.

Is it really only home inspectors that would ever notice these things?

I wish that I could take a poll of everyone that sees this post to find out how many of my readers recognize the problem before I “enlightened” them.

I just know that SOMETHING is missing?

So---be honest----before scrolling down----what is the defect?

I just tested my sweetie with the picture and she didn’t pick out the defect without a little coaching. I said, “The drain has no trap---you know that thing that gets in the way of the garbage can?” So perhaps it is not as “obvious” as I would like to think.

While this defect would be great for the jumbo trash can, it might not be what anyone would consider a very desirable “air freshener.”

Charles Buell

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PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.

DeCroe, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 11/01/2009 04:20 PM

Comments (36)

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Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: The average, dumb-as-a-bag-of-hammers, HOME INSPECTOR will never notice!

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36 Comments on The average, dumb-as-a-bag-of-hammers, HOME INSPECTOR will never notice!

NOV

Charles, you got me on this one. I knew something looked wrong, but couldn't quite place it. Now if I ever look under the sink and see somthing like this I'll know what's missing. - thanks for the lesson!

I guessed no turn off valves.

Jeana, you will likely be in good company:)

Angelia---the valves are there---just newer style that doesn't look all "clunky" like the older ones.

Charles, very interesting and original use of links and use of pics. I got the P trap ok, your assistant Raven Decroe is an asset.

Raven de Croe

Charles - I don't know why all "plumbers" can't be so neat. They've certainly maximized the under sink space. : )

I knew it was the U shaped trap, wait don't y'all call that a P trap, that was missing because I usually hit my head on that when working under the counter! Oh well, I was a carpenter for many years and know little else! Have a great week!

Charles...

Ha, I got this one right away. And you're right, the trap isn't there to "trap" the diamond ring you dropped, it's there to keep those nasty odors where they belong!

John---it is the new "invisible trap"----what an innovation

Russell, yup a P-trap

Richard, it can help with the diamonds too

No drain trap! You drop it, you lose it!

I noticed that right away becasue it came up on a recent home inspection I attended!

And once again, you've proven with this post, why I'm adamant about my clients having a professional home inspection.

Is that what they call a P trap? I thought Finally someone found a way to get more space under there! Tell your sweetie she is not alone!-Dinah Lee

Mr Charles,

I find this so amusing. Your simple little mind really thinks you can stump me. As the individual likely to be stepping into your pants, teaching plumbing to eager students, I hardly think that is over my head. Clearly the plastic tub under the trap is too low. As a result of that, if there is a leak, there will be excessive splashing. Elementary my dear Charles.

Nutsy

Craig---nothing like re-enforcement to jog the brain cells:)

Dinah, that is what it looks like when the P-trap is NOT present:)

Nutsy, I am sure I stand corrected:)

Charles - All I can say is, the people of Austin should be happy that I am not an inspector. It looked great to me. :)

Jason---I think it "looks" great too----just not functional:)

I learn so much ... now I'll seem like the smartes realtor if I ever notice this while touring properties.

Carla, this defect you can sometimes smell before you see:)

Charles as I was reading your post, Mike was looking over my shoulder and asked what happened to the traps. Thank you for confirming that he is brighter than a bag of hammers.

Suesan, I would be surprised if he wasn't---most home inspectors don't fall into that bag:)

NOV

Even though I haven't worked on a sink, I believe that there should be a U-shaped piece.

Charles, Wow! I do not think that I have seen that one before. Talk about dumb and dumber...

Helping you live your American dream...

Those P type traps stop people from having maximum storage space anyway.

Theodora---yes there should be

Michael---you mean this week?:)

Vince---they really do

It's missing the P-trap, which is what keeps the sewer gasses from wafting back up into the house. Noplace better than the kitchen, to have some sewer gasses... eh?