When homeowners have the opportunity to do things themselves, they often choose the path of least resistance. Property renovators sometimes do the same. Plumbing is a great example, especially when it involves putting in a new sink and countertop. Invariably I'll find a portion of the sink drain that looks like the following:
This is the infamous plastic accordion drain connector. The problem here, though, is that, to the best of my knowledge as of 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on 12/8/08, there isn't a code anywhere that allows this type of drain connector. The other problem is that we put a lot of gunk, such as hair and toothpaste, down our sinks. That accordion surface has a greater propensity for trapping all that gunk and causing clogs. That's why we use smooth drain pipes.
Just because they sell it doesn't mean you should buy it.
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54 Comments on Just because they sell it doesn't mean you should buy it
DEC
08
2008
I agree, I have seen the plastic accordion myself, which invariably a home inspector finds. I have a question regarding the pipe sleeve I have seen on pipes. Usually the copper lines that have eithr a problem with them. They are encapsulated with a rubber type sleeve and usually pipe cinches around them to tighten. Are these legal?
Hey, Colleen. It's a repair, and I don't know of anything that prohibits it, but it's not the best type of long-term repair. We use them a lot to repair irrigation pipes.
Bad part about it is in the major box stores you see the plumbing expert with the vest pulling these out of the bin and handing them to Mr. or Mrs. homeowner like they were the newest innovation and better than all the rest. Homeowners tend to trust the box store personnel as if they were licensed professionals.
Russell, I learn something from each home inspection that I attend. Today I learned without spending those few hours. Thanks and we enjoy your observations
That certainly is a recipe for disaster! but if you cant measure you can rely on something silly to use! (jack of all trades, master of NONE comes to mind!)
My father is a contractor / builder and I must admit, I always have a little bit of a chuckle when I see things like that. Funny thing is (on that picture), I wonder why they even used that flexible thing at all. (As opposed to the additional length of PVC it would have taken to extend the drain pipe into the trap... Hmmmm
I guess they just didn't want to unscrew the drain pipe from the sink, (That would have taken an additional 2 minutes and a trap wrench I guess)
Russel it is not code here in NC. I actually help out my sellers when they have a problem. I had to go replace a P trap and extension. Oh I could have used the plastic but, that would not have been good enough in my opinion.
Where do you find this schlock? Really, I'm starting to think that you are making this stuff up. Yes, this type of rigging of the plumbing wouldn't pass a municipal code inspection in the most builder friendly jurisdictions.
Great Blog, Typical from what I have seen... why is it so many homeowners seem to be penny wise and pound foolish? Great repairs, constant care of your home and you have a more sale-able property, right? Thanks. J
I am amazed at some of the homeowner "repairs". I must say I never have seen this one, but now that you have written a post, I bet I will see this in my next 10 showings (lol)! Good advice and it certainly makes sense.
I am not very handy fixing things but even with my little knowledge I would not use that thing in my sink.
What I find very interesting is that you list all your blogs at the bottom of your every new blog. I want to tell you that after reading this blog I decided to read the next 4 or 5 and found each one of them extremely well written and entertaining. I'm inputtingyour site on my favorites because I intend to read them all. This is something that I like of AR; the discovery of very talented people most every time that I get on the AR site.
Last; your little kitten is very pretty and reminds me of "Bella", a kitten that my youngest son gave me when he moved to L.A. Unfortunately Bella disappeared after a few months because I live in a canyon lot so I don't know what happened to her, but sadden me for quite some time.
Russel, You are the smartest inspector I know! Had I seen that I would have been like, "what the heck is this?". I have never seen it! Thanks for always sharing your wisdom!
I've recently seen a worse under the sink repair ~ a black rubber hose going directly from the sink straight down throug a hole in the floor to the basement main waste pipe. No under sink pipe, no trap ~ just a hose. The listing agent didn't believe me when I told him about it. Apparently, he never looked under the sink in this "renovated" home. My buyer ran away, fast.
Russel (with 1 L) this is a great post and since I have a 16 yr. history in construction, I always enjoy your stuff. I used to cringe when folks would tell me that they were inspired by something they saw on TV to "re-do" in the house and have seen more damage done with a hammer that not! Thanks!
Russel- Hah, you see a lot of that "fix it fast and cheap" kind of work in older houses where the homeowner tries to upgrade or make an improvement and invariably ends up cutting corners.
"path of least resistance" I believe this is the key. Most people are lazy and/or clueless to the future impact of their actions. In our area many people finish their basements themselves and even brag about their accomplishment. Leaving multiple code violations and many times safety issues for the future owner. It is critical for buyers to hire a professional home inspector.
I used to work for Russel from October 2001 to May 2005 as a home inspection assistant. I learned a lot of stuff that I can now put to good use in helping my Clients before the home inspector ever shows up.
We're both up early because we have an inspection this morning out in the boondocks. I'm participating only as the buyer's Realtor this morning, though.
People cut corners for today not realizing creating a mountain down the road...thus our current economic situation...congrats on the Feature and love the info
I have never seen one of these rig ups. However, I was viewing a home with prospective buyers and the duct work in the basement was old aluminium tubing being held up by duct tape. It was terrible.
Don't hit me Russel, but I used one of those in my first home that I bought myself after divorce. It worked, kinda, but from then on I have employed a plumber to do the plumbing. I just wanted to be so darned independent!! HAHAHA!
Uhhh- I have to confess, a hundred years ago, I did some DIY plumbing in my kitchen. I remember buying that accordion stuff. I had a passing thought that the creases would probably collect junk, but forgot about it. I think I used it to connect the garbage disposal. Not a good choice, huh?
I had not seen an accordion drain connector before. A quick fix may be nice at first but can cause a lot more headaches in the future. Thank you for making me aware of this.
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I agree, I have seen the plastic accordion myself, which invariably a home inspector finds. I have a question regarding the pipe sleeve I have seen on pipes. Usually the copper lines that have eithr a problem with them. They are encapsulated with a rubber type sleeve and usually pipe cinches around them to tighten. Are these legal?