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Poor pipe strapping can lead to cracked drainage pipes - Photo

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Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

Poor pipe strapping can lead to cracked drainage pipes!


We have had numerous calls for repairs to drainage lines in a local apartment community. The repairs have been centered on a common problem in the ABS drain pipes. The stress on the pipe over time has caused the pipes to crack within the walls of the apartment, causing damage to the building. The drainage pipes were not strapped well enough to hard the pipes from movement.

Comments (16)

Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Tom - it seems like most issues are caused by either not being done the right the first time or neglect. If contractors didn't cut corners or do shoddy work, most of these problems wouldn't exist. I think you'll get many people checking their drain pipes - nothing's worse than water damage! Happy Holidays! 

Dec 17, 2012 10:18 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

That is certainly some strapping mold however!  So you strap the pipe and destrap the mold?  Whatever...

Dec 17, 2012 10:22 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Properly anchoring and supporting drain pipes seems to be though of as optional in some of the houses I see. Looks like this may be a similar situation. 

Dec 17, 2012 10:32 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

It seems this issue is focused on that particular building.  Likely installation error.  Good catch!

Dec 18, 2012 01:05 AM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Ouch, the plumbing inspector must have been asleep on the job, I am sure there is a code for strapping....

Dec 18, 2012 01:53 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Thanks Kristine

Water damage can be bad, it's a shame when it is something that was not done correctly from the start.

 
Dec 18, 2012 10:29 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

As you can see Jay, the leak is just the beginning of the issue here.

 
Dec 18, 2012 10:30 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

The original strapping was plastic straps James. It has been my experience at this property that they have broken or loosened 100%. Not good.

Dec 18, 2012 10:30 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

It was an easy catch John. the building does have some issues to now be corrected.

Dec 18, 2012 10:31 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

There is a code for strapping, but it would be difficult to prove at this site David.  :)

Dec 18, 2012 10:31 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Tom,

I can only imagine the amount of work that takes when that happens inside walls.  Yikes!!!

Dec 18, 2012 03:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

If you ever want to get a feel for the amount of work involved, let me know DeeDee.   :)

Good to hear from you!

Dec 18, 2012 03:09 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

om from reading the comments and your reply it seems you already know the problem.  Is there anything that can be done or has time expired?

Dec 18, 2012 07:00 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

At this point the problem can be corrected and put back to living condition James.

Dec 18, 2012 10:41 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

That's a nasty situation, Tom. Good informational post! Suggested.

Dec 18, 2012 11:00 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Tom, is it the strapping that caused the issue, or the friction as a result of loose strapping that causes the issue?

If you identify this, what can one do to prevent further damage?

Dec 20, 2012 07:06 AM