It’s a trap, a really big trap- Plumbing Inspections

It’s a trap, a really big trap- Plumbing Inspections in Wenatchee and Chelan Washington

Many times a homeowner will make a repair without really knowing what they are doing.

Simple enough, you watched a few shows on HGTV or the DIY channel and heck you are ready to take on that next home project.

Why pay a plumber, electrician or contractor to do something that you can do, and heck you get that warm fuzzy feeling and great satisfaction of being that tradesperson for the day. You may have even saved a buck or two.

There is one problem here… you don’t know what you don’t know.

                              

Here we have an example from a home inspection. This happy go lucky handyperson replaced the sink drain assembly. Problem is that this whole assembly is essentially a giant trap now. This is a clog waiting to happen.

                                  

Another issue is that they used one of those handy dandy accordion trap thingies (official term). I have always known that these were not an approved plumbing part but never verified it.

On my recent visit to the box store I grabbed the plumbing expert in the store who I know and we went and took a look at these. Of course he laughed knowing what I was doing.  So we grab some flex traps and search for the symbols that show this is approved by one of the governing bodies for plumbing, as I suspected no symbols.

Here is that flex trap tail, no symbol.

         

Here is the standard trap showing the UPC shield on it.

                               

Here is a list of the North American Product markings for plumbing.North American Product Markings

There is an important lesson here. Just because it is sold in the box store does not mean that it is an approved product for the application. When in doubt ask a tradesperson or find the one expert in the store. Most of the box stores have a retired tradesperson on staff.

Now I am not against people learning a new trade, but you have to learn first. There is so much to learn when it comes to plumbing. I know there is so much I do not know. You can be in the trades for years and will never know it all.

I see a home inspection as a chance to help the homeowner learn a little something about this giant financial investment they about to make. I hope to leave them with a little better understanding of all those components that make us comfortable and safe in a home.

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

Red Adair

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, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com          509-670-9572