Shaking the Poop Deck- Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspection

During a home inspection one of the most basic tests for a home inspector to perform is the old water closet dance.

This is when the home inspector gently places the knees on the side of the bowl of the privy and give a jiggle. What the home inspector is testing for is if the John has been properly secured to the floor.

 

                                    Toilet and Wax ring

We want the Loo to be secure to the floor, because if it is not chances are that the wax ring is being compressed in an uneven fashion that leads to leakage at the wax seal.

 

The Throne

 

 

 

Remember everyone sits differently on the throne.

 

Here is an example of a potty in a newer home. I performed the dance and found the stool to be a bit loose. Not terribly.

   

 

                    

Now this is what I found in the crawlspace below the crapper. We now can see that the wax seal is failing and it is just starting to rot the subfloor.

 

                                           Sub-Floor Fungal growth

                                                    

 

If this goes on for a good amount of time your next sitting on the Pot may leave you in the under-world.

 

Word history-

Poop deck comes from the French nautical term “La Poupe” which means stern. So the Poop deck means the stern deck.

 

 

"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur..."

Red Adair

 

“Inspecting the World-One Home at a time”

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…                             

NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572

 
Posted by Donald Hester NCW Home Inspections, LLC on 10/19/2011 10:03 AM   Comments (8)   toilet, toilet leak, poop deck, wenatchee home inspection, chelan home inspection  
Short URL: http://actvra.in/ly5

8 Comments on Shaking the Poop Deck- Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspection

OCT
19
2011
312,352 Points Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Whew, if not corrected it certainly could be an unpleasant and embarrassing de-throning.

Sue of Robin and Sue
10:32am • #1
916,948 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don, I had one of those today---but without the fungal growth.
6:00pm • #2
292,716 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sue, This most certainly can have a great issue with a fallen crown if not corrected ; 0

Charlie, Better a little Fungal growth then complete rot of the sub-floor. We found this early enough to prevent further damage.
6:06pm • #3
1,242,517 Points 158 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good evening Don. I have performed this "dance" several times. I have seen some so bad that I really wonder why they have not fallen through...
7:24pm • #4
292,716 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Michael,

I have heard of a couple of cases where that has happened. A friend of mine knows of one lady fell into her basement because the floor rotted out.

I lived in a house with a bunch of friends that I am amazed it did not fall through. You could see from the basement up through the floor.
8:40pm • #5
OCT
20
2011
537,818 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Morning Donald, a great post!  Very serious information for home owners to consider.  A minor repair now saves a major expense later!
2:57am • #6
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good history on the word!  It's funny how and why words become what they do.

People don't realize how easily a wax ring can release water.  Good find.
7:17am • #7
292,716 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Dan, Thanks. This is a simple repair when caught early. This can actually end up becoming a serious issue if left unchecked.

Jay, Thank you. I too find it very interesting how and why words come to their current usage. As for the wax ring. This is a fairly common item I see. Not all will leak but it will have a high probability. 
9:21am • #8


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